The problem with setting up a pool now is that you will need significant traction in order to make it worth people switching. No good if you're PPLNS and there's not enough people to find blocks then there's long periods of nothing at all. If you're a PPS type pool, where are the funds coming from in order to cover payouts since pool hashrate will be low. Another thing too, where is this pool going to be hosted? You need an amazingly good uptime and connectivity in order to make it worth people's time to switch.
I myself am a programmer and system admin of many years and the idea of setting up a pool gives me pause, so I'm curious to know what you think about it.