I worked for a startup that had bootstrapped but eventually received VC funding. The culture change was palpable, which I can only attribute to influence from the VCs. Everything became about growth, growth, growth - which really sucked the enjoyment out the work. I and several others ended up quitting.
If you're satisfied with being paid to solve clients' problems - which is a very common and in my opinion positive mindset, whether one is a business owner or an employee - then if I were you, I'd just stick with that. You've already achieved something to be very proud of!
It sounds like your "Silicon Valley" type friends have ideologically bought in to a pipedream. Please be true to yourself and your own beliefs and try not to succumb to peer pressure, is my advice.
It's an absolutely hideous font for looking at code, but I appreciate the effort you put in to make it. Nice work!
Have you considered writing a blog post about the process you used to make it, anything that set you back while working on it, and advice for others who may wish to generate their own fonts?
If you're satisfied with being paid to solve clients' problems - which is a very common and in my opinion positive mindset, whether one is a business owner or an employee - then if I were you, I'd just stick with that. You've already achieved something to be very proud of!
It sounds like your "Silicon Valley" type friends have ideologically bought in to a pipedream. Please be true to yourself and your own beliefs and try not to succumb to peer pressure, is my advice.