How many of you think it's crazy for a non-tech founder who has always won......and recently lost......to take his wife and 3 kids (I'm 36) and move from east coast to silicon valley to network with brilliance and build greatness?<p>I have never doubted myself before, but I'm no longer in my 20's and single.<p>Note:I can self-fund up to average size angel round. I have 2 weeks to make a decision.
Questions and free advice:<p>What does "recently lost" mean? Be sure you aren't doing this based soley on emotion.<p>What's an average size round to you?<p>What do you bring to the table as a non-tech?<p>Is there a business you want to build, or are you looking for pitches?<p>It's stupid if your wife and family aren't into this. Risk money, not family.
My advice would be to team up with others in the VC/angel community. You may be the type that VC's like to put in as the CEO of a heavily technical group. If you don't have the technical savvy yourself, you may be putting your nest egg at serious risk.<p>In the past month there was a thread about becoming an angel investor. One of the key points was to spread your investment over 10 or so companies. Going that route improves your chances of finding a winner and finding a good fit as a CEO.<p>SV is a good move. There's a good community of like minded folks.
Each individual success is mutually exclusive. The only thing that you can count on is that each individual experience changes you in certain ways...<p>That said, what's your urgency in having to make a life altering decision that impacts five people (including yourself)?
The answer in my opinion lies with you. I'd try to answer these questions:<p>What are your priorities ?
What is most important to you ?
What if you fail, especially considering you have 3 kids and a wife to support - do you have enough savings to support the family if things dont work out ?<p>There's nothing stupid with what you're wanting to do. As long as you can take a calculated risk, you might just want to go for it.
"When does taking risk = stupidity?"<p>When it becomes selfish.<p>In order words, the moment your wife and children have to make sacrifices to accomodate your dreams.<p>You may love the thrill of the endeavor, but they probably don't, even if they say they do. All they really want is you.<p>If you have enough runway to avoid falling into selfish mode, go for it and keep us posted. If not, think hard about the others whose lives you'll affect.
Rule #1 of risk taking: be prepared to lose what's at risk.<p>Are you prepared to lose your wife and kids?<p>This situation is <i>not</i> any more complicated than that. Any thinking beyond this simple yes/no is your emotions getting in the way of your logic.