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Y Combinator Cast

03/01/25

@ Y Combinator

Working on side projects while still employed allows you to hone your skills, gain experience, and understand the entire lifecycle of building something without fully committing to it.

Video

This Is What Young Founders Should Focus On

@ Y Combinator

This Is What Young Founders Should Focus On

03/01/25

Related Takeaways

Harj Taggar

11/02/22

@ Y Combinator

Experiment with side projects to gain experience in turning ideas into reality, even if they start small.

Harj Taggar

11/02/22

@ Y Combinator

It's important to enjoy the process of developing ideas and working on side projects, as this can indicate readiness to start a company.

Y Combinator Cast

03/01/25

@ Y Combinator

Many founders have successfully managed side projects while working, so don't let fears about job security hold you back from pursuing your own ideas.

Harj Taggar

11/02/22

@ Y Combinator

If you find yourself energized by side projects while feeling drained by your day job, it may be time to consider starting your own venture.

Daniel Priestley

05/27/25

@ Chris Williamson

After working for an entrepreneur, the next step is to engage in side hustles, like short-term projects, to test your strengths and ideas.

Harj Taggar

03/26/21

@ Y Combinator

Projects you work on in your spare time can lead to great startup ideas. Many successful companies, like Facebook, began as projects during college or early careers.

Robert Greene

10/09/22

@ Lewis Howes

It's important to balance exploring various interests with the commitment to mastering a single skill, especially when starting out.

Paul Graham

07/17/19

@ Y Combinator

Doing things that don't scale means engaging in handmade, artisanal efforts early on, even if you know you can't maintain them forever, because it helps you learn and grow your startup.

Y Combinator Cast

02/08/25

@ Y Combinator

Building any product helps you gain expertise in that area, positioning you to identify new ideas and opportunities.