Title: Quitting a High-Paying FAANG Role to Build a Bootstrapped, Profitable Business: A Personal Decision
Body:
A career crossroads has me weighing a major shift. I’m currently employed as a software engineer at a FAANG company, earning roughly $320,000 per year. I’m 29 years old, with a net worth around $1 million and no dependents.
Over the past 18 months, I’ve been growing a side software business that now generates about $120,000 in annual subscription revenue, with additional deals in the pipeline. It isn’t highly scalable, but it isn’t pure consulting or custom software either. I own 50% of the business; my partner handles sales and client acquisition. We recently arranged for me to join full-time, earning about $150,000 for the year to focus on product improvements and the possibility of raising capital or pursuing an exit.
Key question: Should I go all in and work on this venture full-time?
Gut instinct suggests a roughly 20% chance of raising more than $2 million to build a more ambitious product, and another 20% chance of an exit above $1 million. These are speculative estimates, but they frame the decision.
Option 1: Continue both roles
– Maintain day job plus side business for the next couple of years.
– Clear pathway to increasing net worth to about $1.5 million within two years.
Option 2: Go all-in
– Leave the day job to devote full focus to the business.
– Enjoy potential upside, but accept the loss of the guaranteed salary and benefits.
Current downsides of the dual-track approach
– The arrangement has been extremely stressful and draining.
– Limited time to pitch investors or actively develop a scalable product for a potential exit or capital raise.
– I strongly dislike my current day job; it feels intellectually unstimulating and underutilizing my abilities. It has a soul-sucking quality, existing primarily to sustain earnings and portfolio growth rather than meaningful work.
The financial trade-offs weigh heavily. Walking away from a combined total near $380,000 per year is daunting. I remember the arduous interview process and the many setbacks that led to this job, which adds to the inertia.
I’d value perspective on how to weigh:
– The value of continuing a high-salaried, less fulfilling role versus pursuing a bootstrapped venture with uncertain upside.
– The impact on long-term financial security, skill development, and personal satisfaction.
– Practical steps to de-risk a transition if I choose to go full-time, and indicators that may suggest it’s the right move.
Thank you for reading and for any insights or experiences you’re comfortable sharing. I’ve learned a lot from this community and appreciate your guidance.
