Ask HN: what's driven you to do startup?
What's driven you to do startup? What's in it for you?
For me it was the ability to work from anywhere and be financially free. Yours?
1. I hate having a "boss" in the traditional sense. I'm a very independent, unruly and sometimes obstinate person, and I chafe at being told what to do. I like being able to "call my own shots" to a greater degree. I also like not having somebody micromanaging my every decision.
2. I'm a horrible employee. I'm insubordinate, arrogant, brash, outspoken and highly opinionated. Nobody in their right mind would hire me.
3. I like building things... in the case of a startup, I get to build both "product things" and the company itself, so it's like killing two birds with one stone.
4. I like challenges.
5. I like the idea of having a big exit and gaining a measure of independence by at least being independently wealthy. In other words, having "FU money".
6. I want to build the kind of company that I'd want to work for, if I wanted a job in the first place. Or, at least, the kind of company I want to see exist.
7. I think we can do some things to make the world a better place. I reject the notion that capitalists are just selfish robber-baron types who just want to accumulate as much wealth as possible at any cost, with no concern for the welfare of others. I like the idea of building a company that will be socially conscious and actively do things to try and make things better outside of our doors.
8. I have some ideas I'm really passionate about exploring, that I think may have some commercial value. At the very least, building a startup in this space gives me a platform to research stuff I'm interested in. Worst case, if we fail as a startup, I'll have learned some neat stuff.