The most productive engineers are not only good at coding, but also at identifying market value or customer need, and dealing with others to efficiently build everything required for the business.
What it takes to be a 10x is not necessarily the same as what it takes to start your own company, imo.
I understand the reasoning here, but I think it's worth adding a the caveats that:
1. Running a business and programming (or whatever skill you're an expert in) are two very different skillsets, and you need the former to get the best opportunities.
2. Not everyone finds it fun to run a business or take care of things other than what they're actually passionate about.
It may be worth evaluating whether you'll enjoy these aspects, and acknowledge there's a chance you might prefer working for less in a situation with less stress/responsibilities.
Sure. But smart developers are also a good material to be smart in other areas of life, if they put themselves to it.
> 2. Not everyone finds it fun to run a business or take care of things other than what they're actually passionate about.
True. One way, old as humanity, is to find a partner who is enthusiastic about doing the things that you dislike. As far as statistics go, startups have higher chance of succeeding with two founders than one, when both founders have complementary skillsets.
The fact is, if you are working for a corporation your salary is mostly dependant on your position and not on your output. Peoples outputs can be orders of magnitude different and they will still be earning roughly similar salaries.
My advice to 10x-ers is: don't work for corporations. If you can be very productive you are selling yourself short.