I'm struggling with this idea right now. Some background: I was laid off recently and am torn between getting another coding job or trying to build a business. I'm a bit older, married with kids, and only have about 9 months of savings ready.
So I'd normally never consider starting a business because of this long ramp-up time, but the "gold rush" of mobile apps is still very appealing. It seems quite easy to ramp up quickly there. I know a lot of apps linger in obscurity but I think I understand social / viral marketing well enough to do some decent app launches. I don't need a big exit, just enough to support a family.
What I can't shake is the persistant question of "why isn't everyone doing this?"
Look for a full time job half the day and code up your own projects the rest of the work day. Then, if you find a good paying job you think you'll enjoy, you win. Or, if you make money doing something interesting yourself, you win. :)
If you've really got 9 months of salary in the bank, risk 3 of it trying to build something yourself. If you can get some revenue in the 3 months, maybe rethink looking for another job. If not, focus more on getting a stable income. If you're making revenue off your own deal, those 9 months of salary might last longer, giving you more runway to build the business.
The, "why isn't everyone doing this" is because there's risk and it takes real dedication and skill. You will most likely fail. Those 9 months of salary in the bank make failing less daunting. Go for it!
So I'd normally never consider starting a business because of this long ramp-up time, but the "gold rush" of mobile apps is still very appealing. It seems quite easy to ramp up quickly there. I know a lot of apps linger in obscurity but I think I understand social / viral marketing well enough to do some decent app launches. I don't need a big exit, just enough to support a family.
What I can't shake is the persistant question of "why isn't everyone doing this?"