So, this life sure has a way of dishing out stuff I never expected...

Some of you already know I am not moving to Boston as expected.  Turns out the company doesn't need me.  They came to this conclusion after I told them they don't need me.  Go figure.  So, they agreed to keep paying me until the end of August at my full salary, and they'll keep my insurance going until February.  Not bad, really.  But it still left me with the 'oh sit, I need a job now' feeling.

I was a little freaked out.  After all, I have no degree and I didn't even graduate high school for real (I took a California High School Proficiency test, it's not even a GED).  The last time I was out of work, it took 5 months to land a job, and I nearly went bankrupt.

So, I put one, and exactly one, phone call into Cisco.  I thought maybe they would be interested in someone with my background.  After all, I kind of pioneered the market they call Application Delivery Controllers, and Cisco is finally getting serious in that market.

I've always looked up to Cisco.  I respect what they have done.  I see the best and brightest people working there in engineering.  They have an amazing ability to absorb companies and technology.

What followed was simply mind boggling.  

Not only did they offer me a job, for more money than I have ever made, and with a substantial sign-on bonus, they have 2 VPs calling me to pressure me into taking the job. These people have much better ways to spend their time, I'm sure.

I just got off the phone... turned them down.  It was the hardest call I have ever made.

While I was interviewing there, one of my friends who made it big at two other startups (Netli, Akamai) found out I was looking and put the full court press on to get me to join his new startup.  This guy has made well in excess of $250M at the previous startups.

Startups SUCK.  Long hours, limited resources, new and difficult problems to solve, and usually a lot of prima donnas that are hard to work with.  Plus, everybody is stressed to the max and tempers are short.  To sum it up in a word, PERFECT.

So, I just told Cisco I took the startup job, for less pay, no bonus, more hours, no 401K matching (hell, no 401K at all), no benefits.

Am I retarded?

The startup looks pretty solid, but it is a gamble.  I didn't think I had a gambling problem until about 30 minutes ago.  God help me.

-Fu

I am not a risk taker so I clearly would have taken the Cisco job. Sometimes I wish I could take risks more. This would have been a simple decision for me although I may have wondered what would have been.....


Charlotte

IN this economy everything is a risk.  Not sure I would feel all that secure over at Cisco.  From my stand point, I have seen alot of people come and go over there for a variety of reasons.  Of course, I have only met their sales people.   But go with your gut and don't look back.  Hopefully you do not have to start the new job just yet and you can live up the no work full pay you are getting.  Congrats

Go for it....roll a 7
all the best to you Fu
thebb

Congrats Fubar!   You went with your gut so just put your all into it and make it work!    

Best wishes!

Jeannie

Wishing you all the best of British luck for this new venture.  I know I am not that brave to have taken the risk, but I am sure you know the market in your field and what you are doing.

The only way to live life is to the full is the saying and I admire someone who has the guts and strenth of belief to follow his heart to do just that.

I know if your really want something , it will happen.

So Fubar go make it happen. please keep us updated, I like to hear good news.

;)

I say go for it Fubar!!  Congratulations!

My husband and I took a gamble 16 years ago when we started our company.  We had no money, no insurance, and three months into it I got knocked up!!  ahhh the memories  :)

Beth

Sometimes you just have to say, "What the f*ck" and take your chances.  The job at Cisco may have been primo, but the last hired is the first fired and there are no guarantees, even with a good economy.

Good luck with the new venture!!!

Thankfully, the old company will continue paying me whether I take a new job or not, so I get will get two paychecks for about 2 months (nice).  That helps.

Cisco has 60,000 employees.  Kind of hard to stand out in a crowd that size.  I'm not positive that translates to job security in this economy.

So, the new one is a gamble, but I think the possible rewards are worth the risk.  Worst case, we fail and I go back begging at Cisco.  If they want me today, they might still want me later.  The opportunity at this startup is more of a chance in a lifetime, where Cisco will likely be there next year.

Plus, if this startup actually succeeds, I really will be able to buy that OUCH yacht.  They are giving me .25% of a company that could potentially sell for several billion dollars.  The VP I am working with believes we will have failed if it sells for less than $1B, and seeing that the revenue projections are near that annually, it should do well.

So, if someone asked you to walk away from a secure job with ridiculous pay to go to a startup for ~reasonable~ salary and a reasonable chance of making you $25,000,000 in four years, what would you say?

Initially, I said no and accepted the Cisco job.  Then the startup offered me a 4 day work week... that pushed me over the edge.  I'm taking the gamble now.

We shall see... looks like long days ahead.

Go with a hunch - bet a bunch... that's what I always say... Good luck and like someone else said -- DOn't look back...

Hugs BD

Yeah, go with what everyone else says!! I am so bad about taking risks and the point last hired, first fired is a good one. Good luck with your new job!

Charlotte

If it were me, I'd take the Startup offer job. 401k and other benefits are very important. Bank the excess salary in the event things don't work out. IMHO.
TomM

wrote on Jul 2^nd, 2008 at 2:28pm:

So, if someone asked you to walk away from a secure job with ridiculous pay to go to a startup for ~reasonable~ salary and a reasonable chance of making you $25,000,000 in four years, what would you say?

Can I be your new bestest friend???  LOL :D

Dear Fubar:

Put in 4 years, and hopefully cash out and retire.  I'm with you buddy!

Wishing you all the best,

Ray

Wow... one day out of work, the next day, two great options! I think you've made a good choice.  Good luck to ya!!!

with warm regards,
Tony

wrote on Jul 2^nd, 2008 at 12:43pm:

Am I retarded?

Oh man, I am SO not the person to ask this to!

LOL!

Shawn, if you went with your gut instincts,  I swear to God they won't steer you wrong. :)

Shawn,

I have regular ones.

You have big, steel ones.

Good on ya.

Brew

I do admire your ambition. I think that you are in a good field. Let us know when the start up goes public. We, then, can invest and help pay for the yacht.


                                    Lee

Yeah, we might want to take a ride in that yacht some day. That is if you are still speaking to us peons in four years. It is worth the risk. You made the right choice I think.

I started my welding company when I was on unemployment and only getting $150 a week. I didnt get a paycheck for six months of being in biz, 16 years later im doing pretty damn good. But, nowhere near Millionaire status....LMAO!  ;D

Good for you, Shawn!........In a few years you will have what they call "FU" money!  ;)

Shawn,
You're obviously good at what you do......whatever that thingamajig was, you've done the Corporate world, yourinstincts are good, and you have a way of landing right on your feet........PLUS, you're a catlover..........besides, you have twins to get thru college!
I AM a gambler, and I say ROLLl those dice man!!

Best of luck!

Cathi

Fubar, I like your gambling problem ;). Good for you and congrats! 8-)

I think you and I are very much the same Shawn.   I took a risk to advance my career by transfering to a faltering market.  

I'm walking into a territory that was used to being faced with emotion and bitterness, rather than inovation and opportunity.  

I'm a risk taker to achieve my goals.  Just who I am.  Sounds like you are too.  

I think you made the right decision.  FWIW

Trouble is Fu you won't know till it plays out.  You've made your call and you seem to have given it a lot of thought.

I can add this. In an economic downturn (as it appears we are quickly headed/in), a large company like Cisco will likely swing an equally large ax to keep itself afloat.  And, being new, that ax will probably hit you.

On the other note, when you make yourself indispensable in a small outfit that has a tremendous upside, you not only survive, you enjoy the reward.

Excel in your usual manner Shawn. Call me if you need to dump your excess funds into a Foundation. I know of one. It's called the Steve G and Dianne T Foundation.

Steve G

"You miss exactly 100% of the shots you don't take"

Wayne Gretzky

You sound good with this to me, Fu. At my age, it wouldn't have been an option but all the luck in the world.

Charlie

Get the 25% deal in writing by a lawyer.

jimmers

wrote on Jul 2^nd, 2008 at 9:11pm:

"You miss exactly 100% of the shots you don't take" Wayne Gretzky

"You can't hit a home run if you don't swing the bat."
--Tom Meyer--

Jimmers--I prefer baseball over hockey.  :)
Shawn--good luck on your new adventures and I hope it is a Home Run.
TomM

wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2008 at 8:07am:

Get the 25% deal in writing by a lawyer. jimmers

Actually, it's .25%, or 1/4 of 1%, and of course it's in writing.

Now, if I could get them to write up a promise to be worth $1B, then I'd be stylin'.    ;D

Good luck dude.

Cisco has always had it's ups and downs. It's a safe bet that at Cisco you would have faced a lay off the minute the market sneezes.