I started my own software consultancy: we mostly focus on web applications, and we've had awesome experiences helping many startups in the NYC area!

Lots of times startups have a good codebase, but they are having hard problems with just a few parts of the product: they don't always have a lot of funding, but it's fun to make connections and help them succeed.

Though, it isn't so much "escape from the 9 to 5" as it is "now you work all the time."

Not that I always work more (some weeks are slow, others very busy) but I do find myself having to be available more.