Ontic Oren

Enough virtual, it’s time for something real by Oren Teich.

Modifying my own risk/reward

Time For Change
Creative Commons License photo credit: David Reece

If you follow me on twitter, you may have noticed that I slipped in my resignation from Sun. Today, March 14th, is my last day.

I’m embarking on the riskiest of all options - a tiny new startup. We’re looking at how we can address some issues that arise with the use of virtualization and network management. I’ll be doing product mangement, plus whatever it takes (markeing, cooking, cleaning) to make sure we’re a huge success, and maximize the reward side.  [If I've 10x my risk, but also 10x the potential reward, I guess my risk/reward ratio remains constant? I guess I've probably 10x the risk for <10x the reward.]

So why jump now?  For the first time in my career, I’m not running away from an old job. The Sun xVM team, and especially my boss, are doing an amazing job. They are building a great team and a great product. I’ve even managed to recruit two new people to the team in the past week, in spite of my departure! I have no doubt that I’ll be talking with the Sun xVM team shortly on how we can work together.

Proving just how random our lives truly are, I found this job through one of those serendipitous moments. A colleague of my wife asked if she knew anyone for a certain position at this other small company, just in passing, and a month later I’m resigning!  The team, the opportunity, and frankly, the risk, were all to good to pass up.  I’m excited to be scared sh-tless and I’m excited to make something from nothing.

Rich, Rich, and Ken - I can’t wait to join you and the rest of the team on this adventure.


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6 Comments so far

  1. steve March 16th, 2008 10:37 pm

    glad to have played a small role in this serendipity - looking forward to working together!

  2. Kevin March 18th, 2008 9:30 am

    Congratulations! You actually do get used to all the cooking and cleaning…

  3. Brad March 19th, 2008 9:13 am

    Go Oren!

  4. [...] recently quit my job, I took two weeks off before starting the new one. Leaving promptly on my last day, we drove down [...]

  5. Harmeet Chauhan March 20th, 2008 11:14 am

    Congratulations. Risk takers only change the world and make their destiny

  6. Eduardo Pelegri-Llopart March 21st, 2008 6:32 am

    Best wishes! And I hope to work with you again soon! - eduard/o

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