I did but got lost in my own mind and the solo business is obviously a lot harder ( if you're just a grunt programmer).
Without maturity, a strong social network and discipline every solo venture will end up in isolation and depression.
But I still try the usual side projects that get started and not finished like everybody else. :)
Right now, I just wish I would find something 80% business and 20% tech with a feedback loop comparable to a plumber ( work for a day or 2, when it's done its really DONE. Move to next job )
Oh, its you again. I don't mean that in a mean way, but your comments do stick out as being burned out/not happy.
I'm happy you opened up a little as to how you feel. If you want something that's 80% business 20% tech, I can high recommend getting into "high end" consulting. "High end" just meaning rich people, their houses, and a small smattering of businesses that they themselves have a high earning to effort %.
I don't mean writing code, I mean doing networking/server work/maybe some desktop stuff. I know that doesn't sound glamorous, but you get to make good money (really good money), most jobs are DONE when you're done, and it's generally very low stress. (learn and understand VLAN's and that level of networking and you're already in demand for a lot of people)
Most of the job is learning to setup/meet expectations, know how to talk to those kinds of people, and other business end skills. You'll also never age out - these kinds of people have long ago learned to identify other markers and often are older themselves.
I did this for years and it fit all the things you say you'd like and it left me with plenty of time to write code on the side (or not, the time is there to do what you love.)
Without maturity, a strong social network and discipline every solo venture will end up in isolation and depression.
But I still try the usual side projects that get started and not finished like everybody else. :)
Right now, I just wish I would find something 80% business and 20% tech with a feedback loop comparable to a plumber ( work for a day or 2, when it's done its really DONE. Move to next job )