I've commented about this in the past. A Chicago angel investor friend of mine once made the comment that the local investment community was always looking to

I've commented about this in the past. A Chicago angel investor friend of mine once made the comment that the local investment community was always looking to talk, but not willing to follow through. There is a conservatism here that allows people to hide behind the conventional; it's practical, ergo the right course of action. I have friends and family who think I "lack experience" and "don't know about the world" because in the past 8 years I have been a trader, been involved w/ two start-ups, and went back to trading; all that effort for little (actually no) financial reward. What they can't grasp is all that is involved with the entrepreneurial enterprise. In the Chicago area, an entrepreneur is someone who buys a franchise or an existing small business (this is not a knock against those folks.) That is why I'm moving to Austin (not the Valley, but not Chicago either.) I also want make clear: I love this town, but it's becoming like New York (a great place to live if you are rich and a great place to visit.)