I really do hate that type of statement - why do people feel they can't have a family in order to make it in the startup world? I'm married, have a mortgage, have car payments, pets, etc. My income is the sole income of our household at the moment and my wife is excited every time I start a new project, regardless of the risk.

If we lost our house, cars, etc on a gamble and had to rebuild, we'd still be alive and do what we have to do to rebuild. BFD.

If nobody depends on your steady salary and you have an idea you're passionate about, you should pursue it.

Even if you "fail" in the financial sense, you'll have significantly more experience than others who list more "years experience" on their resumes.