Working for yourself is awesome. I have done it twice during my life, once for 5 years and again now for nearly 4. I was never happier at work. But, there are

Working for yourself is awesome. I have done it twice during my life, once for 5 years and again now for nearly 4. I was never happier at work. But, there are significant downsides (of which you are probably aware). 1) At a job personal weaknesses get covered up or smoothed over. Aren't so good at <insert failing>? The company probably has someone else to take care of that. So it might merit a "to improve" on your review. When you work for yourself these failings have real unavoidable economic consequences.... often fatal in the business sense. 2) A law of nature. A life for one is simply a meal for another. Nobody cares if you stay in business unless they think they need you in the future. So you are food for everyone. Your vendors, your customers, your employees. All are (generally) out to take as much as they can from you. This is the game you are largely insulated from when you work for someone else and the reason long term business owners probably seem a bit jaded and suspicious. 3) You are responsible for everything. Everything. From filing taxes to making sure there aren't objects that can be tripped on on the work floor. Everything. There is zero buck passing. I personally believe buck passing is a large part of the workday for most employed people at reasonable sized companies and this skill doesn't transfer well. 4)You are mortal. So you get sick. No more sick days. Now you lose income unless you are properly set up with employees and a business structure which takes time, money and often some trial and error. Just because you made 20 grand on a jackpot 2 weeks of work doesn't mean that event will be duplicated or scaled. Something that is hard to remember sometimes. Overall though... it is worth it in my opinion if you are tough and can take some blows. The upside is unlimited. The freedom is exhilarating. You truly can do your best work at a level you probably never did employed. But, please be aware it isn't for most people. The sacrifices can be immense.