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Comment by pud | Hacker News Reader

I started my first company while employed as a project manager at a web design shop. I started a (smaller) web design shop.

While employed, I spent some evenings and weekends trying to find clients. I quit my job when I got my first paying client.

The company I started isn't around anymore -- but here I am 18 years later still happily self-employed and doing well. So I'd say it was a success.

Edit: Last month I gave a convocation address at Syracuse University graduation where I talk about how I got started as an entrepreneur:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5RJAN5mNhA

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I like the concept of telling personal stories instead of advices.

Thank you! (Great talk, and nice dash of humour)

And I also like the "advice" of being prolific, rather to "focus" like we hear often on Hacker News.

What has worked for me in the past (here comes a story, not an advice) is trying many personal projects until I found one that worked on many aspects (financial / personal lifestyle choices / meaning / etc...).

Having too many projects at the same time was very stressful to me, so I found that I could work on one main project and a new side project every month at the same time.

In the end, it is one of the side projects that started to work better than the others.

This week, I am going to be working full-time on it and I am happy about it :)

Thanks, I was hoping for some personal stories.

I'm at a stage where I've worked for a significant amount of time on one project outside work that hasn't really been successful. I'm now working on a few things and trying to validate the ideas with customers before building them out properly.

I love the personal stories approach as well but I've found that some people end up thinking I'm a narcissist for it. Maybe my delivery just sucks?

I'm not sure if your reason for quitting—waking up whenever you wanted—was in jest or not, but it sure resonates with me. It's the little things like that, having a bit of extra freedom, that make a big difference. If you have any employees, I hope they get the same benefits. Thanks for sharing!

That was a nice talk.

Why am I getting the Jobs stanford speech vibe in your talk.

Heheh, was wondering if I was the only one who felt that!

That said, great talk, found it pretty inspirational as a jaded 30 year old, so doubtless those kids would have taken away some of your 'stories' and filed them under advice!

pud, you mentioned having been bought out a few times. Did you not have to stick around 'under new management' at any of the places?

I think it's the format. Three stories from their life.

I graduated from the iSchool this May and got a chance to hear your speech live. Easily the best speech of graduation weekend!

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