Two friends, both developers. One started a video store with his family. Upside, lots of time with the family instead of in a cube. Downside: unstable market, lots of ups and downs.

Other guy started a falafel joint. Never seen a guy look so happy, healthy, totally mellow. Was a developer/manager then VP Software Engineering; now is Dad, cool boss for college students (has record for employee retention in a college town) and Husband he couldn't be before.