I'm torn between going to work or doing a PhD?

[ifomonay]

It depends. If you know you will attempt a Ph.D. either now or in the future, then I would say do it now. Later, with family commitments it will become much more difficult. As others have said, it's a massive commitment, and it's better not to have distractions. However, if you feel that Ph.D. is something you always dreamed to have and more of a "nice-to-have" thing, I would say work first. Starting your own business is another a hundred hour a week commitment, so either way you're going to learn a ton.