Ask HN: When does taking risk = stupidity?
How many of you think it's crazy for a non-tech founder who has always won......and recently lost......to take his wife and 3 kids (I'm 36) and move from east coast to silicon valley to network with brilliance and build greatness?
I have never doubted myself before, but I'm no longer in my 20's and single.
Note:I can self-fund up to average size angel round. I have 2 weeks to make a decision.
19 comments
[ 6.4 ms ] story [ 67.9 ms ] threadWhat does "recently lost" mean? Be sure you aren't doing this based soley on emotion.
What's an average size round to you?
What do you bring to the table as a non-tech?
Is there a business you want to build, or are you looking for pitches?
It's stupid if your wife and family aren't into this. Risk money, not family.
I am a proven operator and team builder. I believe I would be a great complement to brilliant technologist with great ideas but no funding and, most important, real life business execution.
I'm looking for pitches. No app's or piggybacks. Something that, if executed, can be a true disruptive technology. I am open to hardware as well as software technology.
My wife rocks.....would follow me to the moon. She is the best and totally supportive.
That said, what's your urgency in having to make a life altering decision that impacts five people (including yourself)?
I am so eager to get back to putting in a 60 hour week of real productivity I could cry!
I really can't agree enough with the earlier comment about discussing this with your wife. It's just as much her decision about where you guys want to live as it is yours.
I don't understand your comment. Are you saying a family man should no longer stretch, grow and strive for abundance....because it is selfish?
I am definitely advocating that you develop yourself further and grow in ways you have not. But do it from a position of power, not because circumstances are such that it becomes an act of urgency, or worse, desperation.
LOL what? A big house in Silicon Valley costs at least 2 million dollars, and "foreign cars" is like saying "wet water".
When it becomes selfish.
In order words, the moment your wife and children have to make sacrifices to accomodate your dreams.
You may love the thrill of the endeavor, but they probably don't, even if they say they do. All they really want is you.
If you have enough runway to avoid falling into selfish mode, go for it and keep us posted. If not, think hard about the others whose lives you'll affect.
In the past month there was a thread about becoming an angel investor. One of the key points was to spread your investment over 10 or so companies. Going that route improves your chances of finding a winner and finding a good fit as a CEO.
SV is a good move. There's a good community of like minded folks.
What are your priorities ? What is most important to you ? What if you fail, especially considering you have 3 kids and a wife to support - do you have enough savings to support the family if things dont work out ?
There's nothing stupid with what you're wanting to do. As long as you can take a calculated risk, you might just want to go for it.
Are you prepared to lose your wife and kids?
This situation is not any more complicated than that. Any thinking beyond this simple yes/no is your emotions getting in the way of your logic.