i did software contracting for 10+ years. although quite lucrative, you won’t be able to ‘get off the wheel.’
creating your own products and putting them out is how you get off the wheel. having anti-capitalists ‘compete’ against you by putting out free software (or making cracks available) undermines the small software shop
Understand the frustration. I’m currently writing a proprietary software service/system that is largely based on FOSS software. I expect to sell it for real $$. One must just stay away from areas that are easily commoditized. Sure there’s a risk that a FOSS solution might emerge in your space - but risk from a low cost producer has always been there. I personally do not view FOSS as a barrier to commercial success.