Do your own company. Hire people. Do projects for clients. I did this and I'm pretty happy. Most projects have been interesting. Some clients have been difficult, some are great and with those we stick. The team is happy. We hire young and old; finally hiring without discrimination (or so I hope) and happy about the results. Now we're in a stage where we can be picky about which projects to accept. We start having some time for our own ideas as well.

Just expect a very tough first year :-)