Greg-J

After burning myself out in the 2000s working 60-80 hour weeks and spending another 40 learning new skills, I took a different approach in the 2010s. Instead of going after a position I was qualified for, I took multiple positions below my pay-grade. It worked out great. I made more money, had less responsibility, and the companies I worked for were ecstatic to have someone with my skillset on their payroll. It was great and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone that is at the top of their field and good with time-management. There are caveats and it's not for everyone, but there are enough pros that it warrants consideration.

A few years ago I got an offer I couldn't refuse and gave it up for my current position that was effectively tailor-made for me. It's reward work and I get to solve a lot of problems ranging from ideation and design to development to productization, and everything in-between. Once I took the position, I got more comfortable talking to people about the way I worked through the previous decade and found that there were a lot more people that did the same thing, but only got comfortable talking about it when they moved on.

I find myself in a position with my current company where I am essential and effective, but I have a considerable amount of time to either pursue my own thing again or help out a smaller company in the way I used to.

Which brings me to my question. It was a hustle when I started working that way and with the number of people I've spoken with who had done the same, I can't help but wonder if there's a service or community of people looking to do the same.

Really just looking to start an open discussion around the topic.

After spending a good portion of my career evaluating and purchasing software and services, my co-founder and I find ourselves on the other side of the table. Before we start selling, we want to give our product away to some launch partners - which we're doing - but I thought it would be great to connect with other startups who are looking to do the same thing.

I've developed these relationships in the past, but always organically. I'm wondering if there exists a community I'm unaware of where we can all put ourselves out there and see what sticks.