And what totally opened my eyes was owning my own business, and seeing it (along with much of my life) go down the tubes.
Something many American workers never understand is that getting a job does not require a help wanted sign. What made America what it is is entrepreneurs who found a need and filled it. They didn't polish up resumes hoping some big company would hire them. They CREATED their own job.
So did I. Trouble is, I went broke at it. That's why I'm not doing it now.
Fact is, most new small businesses fail. I thought I was dedicated enough and hard-working enough and talented enough to beat the odds. But they were stacked pretty high, and I didn't beat them. They beat me.
That's not to say I'll never go into business for myself again. I almost certainly will. But first, I have to find a way to survive today.
Simply a need in the market is required.
A lot more than a need in the market is required. Connections are required (which I did not have). Skill in business management is required. Skills in sales and marketing are required. Legal knowledge is required. Capital is required (again, which I did not have). ALL the necessary skills for doing what the CUSTOMERS want are required.
Again, I've no doubt I'll do it again, and hopefully this time I'll succeed. But first, I have to fully recover from business failure (as well as stretches of unemployment and underemployment). Financially, emotionally, my family... Right now, even $10 an hour in the hand, as little as it is, is better than theoretical riches in the bush.