Going Solo
So, I finally bit the bullet and started my own company. I’ve been a free-agent for about three weeks now, and I love it.
Hooray for me!!
The new company is called Wry Research, and at least at first, I’m mostly just doing AI research consulting for a couple of clients. I’m trying to also fit in some original product development, when I have spare time. But I don’t have a whole hell of a lot of spare time, so I’m mostly just consulting right now.
But life is very good, and I’m enjoying the freedom and flexibility of being a solo software developer.
In the near future, I’ll talk about some of the work I’m doing as a consultant. I’ll also talk a little bit about a really cool research project that I’m doing, in conjunction with the Columbia Medical School Neurovascular Research Lab. Depending on the success of the research, it could lead me to developing a very cool product/service for the medical research community.
I’ll keep ya posted :)
December 10th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
Great news.
I have been ‘planning’ to go for a long time now but not been able to pull the plug. Good to know that you made it.
On another note, I am surprised that you are able to find contract work in area as specialized as AI Research. It will be interesting to learn more details.
Good luck!
December 10th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Well, it was actually pretty easy for me to find contract work.
I’ve maintained really good relationships with all of my former employers, so it really only took a couple of phone calls to set up the arrangements. Basically, I called them and said “Remember me? I’ve decided to start my own company, and I’m looking for some consulting work to help me bootstrap. Are you interested?”
Fortunately, I didn’t have to exhaust my whole network of contacts, so I have several fallback options if I lose one or more of my current clients.
Once I contacted those companies and established that they were interested in my work, we spent a few weeks talking about potential projects, defining the particulars of the relationship, etc.
All in all, everything has really worked out well for me in this regard, so I’d have to count myself as very lucky.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
Congratulations and all the best.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:18 am
Good luck! I’m sure you can pull this off and start a successful company.
The great thing about working solo is the flexibility you gain — being able to research/grab the opportunity is much more simpler than when you’re on a payroll. That’s my experience at least.
December 14th, 2007 at 12:35 am
Best of luck with your new venture! :)
December 14th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Congrats! This is me being jealous.
December 15th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Congratulations Benji!
Any SLC trips planned any time soon? Missing Utah winters yet? :)
December 21st, 2007 at 1:53 pm
I was forced by circumstances to do the same thing about 15 months ago, and now I wish I’d done it a decade ago. We didn’t hear a lot on your move to Boston. What happened with that, and what led to you going out on your own?
May 6th, 2008 at 5:37 am
Congratulations Benji, …must be incredibly exciting! Let Elise and I know when you make it to the OC/LA area