David Tedaldi

Serious talk: quitting your job to focus full time on your hustle, what did/does it take for you?

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TBH, I think chasing your dream is a luxury and not a given, I couldn't just do it out of gut feeling, I had to build toward that. In my case, there have been two determining factors: - a certain level of security for a few months ahead - the right project (have done a couple of projects before, both eventually dropped, the third one was the charm!) What about you?
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Roberto Morais
I've done that almost ten years ago. I'm originally from Brazil and had just received a promotion offer for my employee in Ireland, where I lived at the time, but I was already in conversation with two friends to start our company. I though a lot, but in the end I left and moved back to Brazil to live in my friend's house. He had a spare room and it became my home and our office. I had some saving for a year living with bare expenses (nearly 10% of my previous expenses). To be honest it was a lot easier than I expected. I didn't miss my previous lifestyle and was really excited creating our first product. Don't get me wrong, as the time pass and you don't get new income you start to get nervous, look at other options and so on. Our first product flopped completely and we were looking for consulting gigs to extend our time when we met some entrepreneurs in an event that loved our product and asked to invest on us. From there we still spend another year and half to get back to my previous income and the rest is history. It's a completely different experience than being employed. I wouldn't change it for anything but I think it depends on your moment in life, your economic conditions and how many people depend on you. Today for example even after I've had a good exit (not life changing) and with a lot more saving I'm holding up on leaving my current position (CTO on an EdTech) to go full time on my personal projects. I'm pretty confident I'm going to do it again. But I'm starting as a side project to see if it works.
David Tedaldi
@robertomorais what an inspiring story @robertomorais! Thanks for sharing!
Carlos Ruiz Morales
Thanks for sharing @david_tedaldi1! This one is one hell of a topic! In my case I never felt like doing it all alone, in my case it's been finding the right people to work with!
Raul Silverstone
@david_tedaldi1 @carlos_ruiz_morales People have been a key factor for me as well
David Tedaldi
@carlos_ruiz_morales @raul_silverstone Great point folks, indeed finding the right people, those that bring in energy and commitment is energizing!
Gaurav Goyal
First of all, this is not an easy decision for anyone. In my case there are 2 things which helped me jump the bandwagon: - Financial security for at least an year (for me and my family) - Amazing friends turned co-founders to start something with So glad that I took that plunge back then. We have had hard times as well, but worth it.
David Tedaldi
@gauravgoyal_gg Thanks for sharing @gauravgoyal_gg! I hope this will inspire a lot of makers here!
Gaurav Goyal
Brenna Donoghue
Leaving something steady and stable to go all in is hard. To me, it has come down to that nagging feeling that I'll always wonder what if. No big corporate job has left me with that same feeling or pull.
Gaurav Goyal
@brenna_donoghue Great point. Have felt the same.
Jonathan Massabni
Great share! Thanks David. Also, a lot of confidence in the core team and the vision
David Tedaldi
@jonathanm Thanks for sharing @jonathanm! That's a great point!
Daniel Baum
Ideally, the hustle forces you to quit. So maybe the hustle starts blowing up, or you realize a bigger opportunity awaits, etc. My story: I was a lawyer. My company Sleek got accepted into YC on a Monday night. I quit Tuesday. It happens quick
David Tedaldi
@daniel_baum that's a hell of a story, and a good perspective!
Daniel Baum
@david_tedaldi1 Thanks! Everyone has a different path into their startup - there's no 'right' way to do it
Will Veazey
Quitting your job to focus full time on a side hustle is not a good idea. Was laid off several time in 70's due to a lot of different things. Oil embargo, then companies moving operations overseas. Kept on working at a regular job. Started different side hustles. Learned first hand so to speak about business. Multi-level marketing was not successful by people I knew. Who were personally involved. Decided early own to get serious about how to start a business. Started a Sub Chapter S Corporation. After speaking to a Certified Public Accountant. Verified knowledge received from CPA. With business oriented attorney. Who helped setup a Sub Chapter S Corporation. Started different side hustles. All were run under one business, company, as a Sub Chapter-S Corporation.
David Tedaldi
@abco_specialties great story! Thanks for sharing!
Joanfihu
Make enough money from the side hustle to pay “life support”. Then build from there. It’s hard to have two jobs but the sooner you get to MFP (Minimum Financial Position) the sooner you can quit.
David Tedaldi
@joanfihu indeed, MFP it's often a great starting point!
Rich Watson
oooh this is tough. I did not go back to work after my startup got rolling. just need to be in a good spot financially, a trade to lean on if it doesn't work so can get back into the workforce quick.
David Tedaldi
@richw Thanks for sharing your story Rich! I really appreciate it!
Akram Quraishi
I was so focused and passionate about doing my own thing that it was easy for me to take the call. And since running my own startup was my passion I was able to sustain myself on a low monthly budget for a long time. Besides this, I also had support and backup from my parents who believed in my dream.
David Tedaldi
@akramquraishi we all trying and get all the help possible!
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