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That's a great dream and a great goal. Unfortunate there isn't a magic way to make 100k from a website without building a good product. I wish there was a way.

As for the 100 visitors saying "Hi, is anyone around here?" The chicken and the egg problem is a very common problem with social sites. The most common way I've seen this solved is by the owners of the site "faking" responses or filling in their site with fake content to look like it is active. They do this just until the site takes off. But it sounds like your project is not that large yet and needs to be built up larger. I'd say for you to keep at it or start another project that you can get more traction in.

For what it's worth... In my experience, only working a couple hours a week on a side project won't get you anywhere fast. I usually spend around 15 on my side projects a week. Otherwise, nothing will get done on them. You just need to make the time. As Gary Vaynerchuk puts it... go to work, go home, kiss the dog, and between 9PM and 1AM you need to crush it.

I wish you the best and hope you can make something happen.

Edit: Here's that keynote where Gary talks about having a side project and working 9-5. https://youtu.be/EhqZ0RU95d4?t=11m50s

Reminds me of Gary V's line: "stop watching 'effing Lost"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhqZ0RU95d4

⬐ CamperBob

Believe me, that's at the top of my list of Things to Do Right After I Get My Time Machine Working. Go back and invest in Apple and Microsoft, bet on the Saints to win the Super Bowl, and try my best to convince the LOST writers that they'd be better off playing World of Warcraft instead.

I was actually in this exact situation about ~8 months ago. One of the best inspirational videos that got me through that time was http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhqZ0RU95d4 . Caution: Gary is a little loud and obnoxious but he makes good points.

Even if you have a 8-5 day job, work the 8pm-2am night shift and stop complaining. Take @edw519's advice and make a list of 10 things you can do to create value and start doing them. Even if you have to be somewhere for 8+ hours that sucks use that time to your advantage.

There is no excuse for not making it happen, use that free time you do have to make meaning and create value.

I think you could benefit greatly from Gary Vaynerchuk's ideas in this keynote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhqZ0RU95d4&feature=playe...

The general overview of what he says: it's never too late, you don't have to jump neck deep into it at first (i.e.: quit a job and take funding), you need more passion than Gandhi, and just fucking do it.

First things first: There are too many checklists out there for telling you what it takes to be an entrepreneur, I am not talking about them. Do you believe beyond criticism, reason and logic that you have what it takes to be an entreprenreneur??

If the answer is yes, read on. Be sure about it or you will regret this.

I think a good idea will be to take it slow. A phased migration over a time period of year+.

phase1: For a few months at the start, maintain a status quo at current job just keep working right, but change your spending, living and saving habits. Meanwhile prepare your family for the change, slowly. You have lived too long under the cozy umbrella of constant and guaranteed paycheck at the end of every month, that has to change over to a not so persistent income and amounting only to live well and keep the kids just happy. Yes, as someone pointed out, convince and take along your spouse through this transition. Encourage her to take up a job if she is not already doing so. Save money.

phase2: Save more money :-) Then move over to part time, at the same organization if they respect your work or some other organization. You can look at freelancing also, but that a different game, you will have to build that image slowly. Consider yourself lucky if you get good gigs at the start, which is not usually the case. Meanwhile, during this 2nd phase transition, start developing a small fun/serious project or for open source in your part time. As Gary[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhqZ0RU95d4] says: work 9-5, come home, spend an hour with the kids and then 7-1 is enough time to do damage. Second pointer will be start attending dev and entrepreneur unconferences[barcamp, headstart, etc], speak up, listen, you might make a few friends there who can appreciate what you know and vice versa. Do small weekend hackathons with them, to know them more. Not all weekends, some, spend the rest with the family. Hopefully one of these friends will be the one you found your first venture with. Zero on some idea that you are passionate about and a partner who shares the passion and vision. Starting out alone is not usually encouraged, but not ruled out. Start developing a proof of concept and talk to people about it and get feedback. Once you are sure that "this is it" and you have saved enough money for you and your family for 1year, or your spouse earnings will help in that.

phase3: Get in ramen mode. """Startup!!"""

Now you are on a complete uncertain rollercoaster. No turning back. Remember this is a result of the "choice" you made not something that was forced on you, so persevere and may the luck with you.

You can shuffle a few things in the phases. :-)

Hope that helps.