Independence. For me, I've always had the privilege of being a lone wolf, because I only accepted remote gigs as a consultant as my primary goal was always gen

Independence. For me, I've always had the privilege of being a lone wolf, because I only accepted remote gigs as a consultant as my primary goal was always generating revenue on the side through programming business ideas, trying them out in the wild, falling on my face and getting up, some things worked some things didn't but it eventually freed me up to only focus on my ideas as the revenue kept climbing. This independence forced me to be practical and efficient while focusing on hardened architecture, doing the work of many as an individual simple because there are less decision trees so things move very quickly. There is a huge value in gaining experience and knowledge while working with great individuals in teams that make you better for sure, not discounting that experience at all. Just personally, I get very uncomfortable when people dictate practices to me that are highly crufty and theoretical so I'm much better suited going at it alone because I can't shut my mouth about those things and end up pissing people off.