I was President and CEO of my own mail order company just before the internet became the big thing. 6 to 8 employees, LARGE overhead, watched as too many competitors whittled me down to closing the business after just 6 years doing it. Went back into blue collar work, discovered the uber wealthy living on water front property needed someone reliable to install and service their lake water pumps (the submersible pumps worked best, highest performance). 15 years of it. I earned and saved more than I ever imagined, paid off my mortgage, took my son diving on vacations all over the Caribbean and even Indonesia and saved huge for retirement. The key factor was overhead - - - the cost of doing business, this gig had the lowest overhead, 1 day labor guy helped me haul the gear up and down hillsides to the lake and back for about 6 hours on one day each job, I did all the rest. I was part electrician, experienced scuba diver, part plumber, and pump engineer. I already had most all the skills from prior work. My university science degree was pretty much useless to this day. Now retired and enjoying US Master's swim program competition at 72.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I do agree that doing our own thing has been an overhead and requires more effort. But wearing multiple hats also helps is what I can see from your experience, Thanks for your insight.
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