there is no one way really. I just had enough of it and was lucky to have some money and timing on that flippa project. But I don't consider it just luck. I think of it as me being proactive because I have been browsing flippa type sites for years. So the key is: do something. anything. Even if small. But do it towards your goal.

I've found this is a/the key to being successful in anything. Just keep working at it even if you're only making small steps forward. Each step gets you closer to the goal and also puts you in a better position to take advantage of opportunities when they show up.

These miserable WS tech gigs pay well right?

Yea, the reason most of us stay put for a bit :-/ Typically tech jobs at big IB's and hedge funds pay more than your FB's and Google's of the world, and with way more time off per year.

Mind if I ask you what kind of work that you guys do?

Hardcore Math modelling implemented in C++ or something?