I’ve been working in the food industry for about 3 years now, and the long hours, no prospect of upward mobility, and bosses (derogatory), I can safely say I don’t enjoy this anymore (not that I really did to begin with, just needed pocket money bro).

Luckily, I do have a considerable sum of money saved up over the years. I do have a business idea in mind which would be somewhat passive (mushroom growing), but I’m afraid that it would just be a money pit and I’d be worse off. On the other hand, there’s going back to school. I’m still young, but alas, the prospect of a student loan is not enticing at all.

I could do maintain the job, go to school, and do the mushrooming…in theory…but I do enjoy having time for the gym and just going out for hikes.

What seems like the best course of action?

  • KiG V2
    4•2 years ago

    I think doing all 3 even in part would be good but also spread yourself very thin. Even doing 2 though would mitigate a lot of risk. Although sometimes risk is worth it, as others have said it depends in large part to your local situation, I would see how strong the demand for local food is and if there are already mushroom growers providing supply.

    If you did mushrooms + job, your money invested in it wouldn’t disappear quite so fast and if you decide to bail in a year or three you would still have money to try school out. If you did mushrooms+school it would be a load of money and whatever of the two you end up bailing on would be wasted (not TOTALLY wasted but you get me), BUT at least you would already be halfway through something else if one didn’t pan out. What would you go to school for? Honestly getting a degree and hoping for a job to pay off the loans is roughly as risky as starting a small business these days, just a little more on-rails.

    I worked in the food industry for 6 years…5.5 at the same place…yeah that shit is fucking terrible. Even DoorDashing is better than that lol. Yo now that I mention it DDing depending on where you live is pretty decent (19-23$/h, minus about $3 for gas and car expenses) and has incredibly flexibility that someone starting a new venture would need. Just an idea. Also 100% less miserable if you don’t mind being alone and driving all the time. There’s surely other similar things to do as a new job too.