Specifically the US but I guess this could be asked anywhere.
I am not of the assumption it is actually possible for any normal person that doesn’t already have millions. The days of an honest mom and pop seem long dead (since at least the 90s, maybe 80s). Or if there are any, they are struggling to even stay afloat.
Like many, I thought I’d always want to start some sort of good business that actually serves a need. I now see that as impossible. I know people who made small niche software in the 80s, ended up making it a decent size company and retired with millions. I do not think anyone could do that today, especially with how tech is now.
I see plenty of scammy tech startups. This isnt what I’m talking about. Imagine a CNC shop starting today. They largely dont exist because no one does engine work anymore and most things are throwaway. Similar thing for any type of repair, none exist because its all throwaway. The only businesses I ever see are reselling things made by slaves in China. No one makes anything (other than 3d printed junk).
I’d be quite surprised if anyone is living decently off a real, honest business that they didnt get millions from their parents to start and that doesn’t exploit the hell out of others.
Right, its not easy that’s for sure. I just am unable to think long term if something absolutely isnt going to pay off, then I wasted my 1 life. I’m also terrible at selling myself and I always undercharge because I can’t bring myself to rip people off.
Why aren’t you thinking about experience? Whatever you do, and however much you succeed or fail, the point is to enjoy yourself and learn from your mistakes. Life takes a long ass fucking time, you will suffer, you will succeed, there will be pain and happiness. You will feel like you wasted your life and you will feel like you’re on top of the world. Just try to be true to yourself.
And ripping people off is only done through lying and deceiving. If you give your customers the space to say no, and a fair time to compare your prices to others, you can ask whatever you want. That has nothing to do with ripping people off. Market value is market value. Which is just as high as people are willing to pay. It’s up to you to find a good balance between the amount of time you have and the market value. There is nothing wrong with undercharging or overcharging. It all depends on how much time you have.
You’re not going to be a millionaire, you’re not going to make it big, your life is going to be a boring struggle like everyone else’s. There is no ‘American dream’, it’s all fake, stop clinging to it. Do things you enjoy, you have ambition to get good at, find out what motivates you, stay humble, stay human.