I just wanted to emphasise that while the employment situation isn't good, I'm more keen on actually starting a business thank moving to another job, unless something really challenging and exciting comes along. With that said though I would never quit my day job and lose that security until my product had paid me 1.5x annual salary. I'm in regional Victoria, but a commute to Melbourne isn't viable for me and all our family is out this way.
My opposition to seeking money is that I don't believe there is much of the way of angel investors in Australia, but my main opposition is taking an investment and then having a new boss to answer to. I don't want to chance getting into the same situation by answering to someone who really doesn't know what they're talking about.
With regards to inciting change.. I have tried for twelve months now, they can't be helped. It's not web design, its financial software - they use notepad for tracking bugs and excel for project management.
You make some fantastic points. I do need to spend more time with my family. The reason I am driving myself so hard at the moment is so I can get out of the bad job I am in. Bad circle, I know, but thanks so much for taking the time to write all that out.
The 2000 character limit removed the aim part... I just want to build a business for the sake of it. I want a good wage. I don't want to be a multimillionaire (but would be nice) - I just want security and the ability to work for myself.
With regards to making work more challenging in the day job, that's the problem. They aren't open to anything. It's all set in stone. Hell, I'm not even allowed to refactor or write unit tests. Unit tests here refer to manual testing checklists.
I completely agree with you. When I burnt out about five years ago I was overweight and are crap. I'm on top of that - walk an hour each day (which I find almost meditative) and also don't eat fast food.
You're very right - i see the day job as holding me back from doing great things and a complete waste of time.