I saw too many people come to Silicon Valley like would-be miners in the Gold Rush, didn't want to understand how to find gold, and all they had to do was get a designer, a software developer, put out a press release, or have beautiful ideas.

The people who made it listened, observed real problems, and crafted something obviously useful and better to fill a specific category of need, most often while working another job to pay the bills.

Survive, thrive, and then work on side-projects. Side projects are too risky to become an immediate living when you need water, food, and shelter.

Honestly, I avoided shelters because of the lack of safety and risk of diseases like TB, c. auris, meningitis, bed bugs, and such. Yuck. I'd rather find somewhere quiet hidden away.