In my day, I was the classic Entrepreneur.. The phrase.. “in the day”, refers to a time in this country’s past that allowed the average guy that had an idea, rented a store front, and posted a sign, you were in business..
Yes, there were permits, and name ID’s, not to mention, enough money to survive, but starting the ball rolling was nothing more than a creative mind and the courage to challenge yourself..
Not all of us survived, of course, but the last thing that disrupted your dream was the government.. I funded my first venture with less than $1000, which included all necessary furniture, fixtures, and equipment, all second hand, and the total fees for registering the venture was less than $100..
No so today.. I know, up front and in reality.. Our society has allowed the city, state, and federal governments to use the small and large business taxes and requirements to fund their destructive agendas..
My last new business, 11 years ago, required $40,000 just to acquire the necessary ground work, licenses, and permits to open a quality restaurant.. My first business lease, was a single page.. Not a dime of that money was used to design, furnish, or hire a single person..
My last lease was 30 pages, with a law firm, and CPA, needed to read it, with 2 months of negotiations between lawyers, realtors, and tax accountants..
I would not, or probably could not start over again, but 2800 employees would have never had a life long income, and upwardly mobile careers.. Pity, really... :(
I second your experience with government oppression of business. I was co-owner of two electronic laboratory businesses. The red tape increased steadily over the years, as did the complexity of tax and accounting requirements. I wouldn’t want to do it again either—or at least I’d have to be even more sure of the venture than otherwise. In other words, it’s chilling.
I had occasion earlier this year to be in China, and I was chatting with someone about what you have to do to start a business there. Suffice it to say it is difficult. She then asked me, “Is it easy to start a business in the US?,” to which I replied, “Yes, but then your troubles start.”