I'm probably overthinking this, but how best do you pay your personal bills (i.e. rent, utilities, food, etc.) while starting a company?
In my mind, there are only a few options: (1) work part-time at another company, (2) work full-time at another company, (3) raise capital from investors and pay yourself, (4) mooch off family and friends.
* Have an earning spouse
* Save enough, so you can build and verify a prototype in 6-12 months.
* Build a prototype working late and weekends keeping your current job. When the time is right, quit.