Ask HN: Job or startup?

6 points by daimyoyo 15y ago ↗ HN

First some background: I've been in sales for years and frankly, I'm sick and tired of convincing people that my services are of value to them. I have the chance to get in with a small web design business here as an intern, but they're looking for people who are willing to make a career with them. For years I've wanted to start a business of my own. The issue I have is that is I have encountered exactly 0 success in my efforts. And I'm not sure that I'm totally committed to the chase anymore. I've been broke for years and frankly I'm sick of ramen and hotdogs. I love HN and I respect the opinions here. So should I go the career route and have a reliable income, or continue to work toward having my own business when all precedent I have indicates I won't be successful? Thanks for any help.

3 comments

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gharbad 15y ago ↗

Your potential enterprise will not be successful unless you believe in it and are committed to it. Unless you have an idea that you believe will be successful, I see no reason not to take a respectable job.

There's nothing stopping you from doing projects on the side.

jasonmcalacanis 15y ago ↗

I'm going to suggest you get financial security first, then create a small passion project in your spare time. If that passion project gets to the level of revenue of your day job then flip.

This is how I started my career in fact: doing IT consulting while I started my companies.

JoshKalkbrenner 15y ago ↗

Career. When you're ready for the latter... you'll know; no need to ask.