I work as an independent consultant as my "startup". I had been consulting for about 5 years for other people and saw less and less value in letting the consult

I work as an independent consultant as my "startup". I had been consulting for about 5 years for other people and saw less and less value in letting the consulting company take 65% of the money they charge for me. I made a good salary, but I never took health benefits, though I did use 401k matching. Anyway, it took a while, but I made the correct contacts and was able to sign MSAs with the 2 major software vendors I do work for, and now can land my own work. I now bill for about 85% of what the other companies charged for me, and even after paying both sides of the employment taxes I have come out way ahead. I found an 18 month project that was planned so that nobody would work > 40 hours a week and have a 7-4 work schedule. There is a possibility of travel, but I will increase my rate for those gigs to make up for the "hardship". I dont know that I could really call my business a startup, but I do think that if you are working your ass off as a consultant and have a legitimate skill set and the right contacts, you can make your life better. It sounds like this guy just traded one sweatshop for another of his own making.