Ask HN: Ways to mitigate risk as an entrepreneur?

Being an entrepreneur takes hard work and nonstop commitment to your startup. It is usually the epitome of devotion and thus a pretty risky proposition because if things don't work out, what are you left with for all of your effort?

What I'm curious about are examples of ways in which people reduced this risk and became successful. For instance, starting a company at night after one's day job, so they still had financial base to support themselves with? Or if they have a significant other, getting support from that person while they work full-time on their idea (similar to how many get supported by a spouse while in med school).