[68gtoMN]

Agreed! Self-employed since 2005. Was Sr. Management at large corporate electronic retailer in Minneapolis. After that, I ventured out on my own because I felt I could do it better. Like Chris, I have worked ridiculous hours for weeks on end for little pay, had contract resources (not exactly employees, but similar) who failed to deliver (always have a back-up plan), spent months without income, paid my liability insurance, home, auto, health insurances, vehicle costs, retirement plans were 100% up to me, etc. I even have a "vendor" who still owes me enough to allow for the purchase a nice, new German luxury car in cash - but I will never see this money due to less-than-honest dealings and sneaky accounting. I use this as a learning tool and as motivation to ensure that this will never happen again.

There are great benefits to self-employment. They do not come without sacrifice, however. My subcontractors always get paid and with that they are always willing to work with/for me. As mentioned above, there are many costs associated with having your own business that the average person does not see or comprehend. Yet, with these challenges, I still would not have it any other way.

[nashcar]

Good post, all good points. I've owned my company for over thirty-five years. Workers with a benefit package got nothing to complain about. My son-inlaw is a police officer. He's going to retire in 6 years at the age of 45, I'll still be working. Right now work is slow, just recovering from having a stent put in a main artery. I have to pay $2500 deductable and I can't collect any disability or unemployment. Maybe I should go to the state capitol and protest.