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There are very intelligent people out there who aren't software engineers or who don't work for Fortune 500s. The logistical challenges that go into operating a small e.g. grocery store probably vastly outweigh whatever a typical FAANG or YC startup engineer has to contend with.

People start businesses for lots of reasons, and if you've built a small business that's been around for more than several years, in a lot of industries, that means that you know how to work with people. The food business in particular is that way -- if you can't build good relationships with your suppliers and customers, you're dead.

I agree with your overall point that, if you're looking to optimize your payday, working with small businesses probably isn't the way. But it can still be fulfilling and reasonably lucrative.

[MattGaiser]

Eh, unless it is a niche grocery store, every actually independent grocery store I have visited has had limited selection and mouldy fruit.

I don't think anyone disputes that running a small business is hard. It is just that most don't do a terribly good job of it.

[908B64B197]

> The logistical challenges that go into operating a small e.g. grocery store probably vastly outweigh whatever a typical FAANG or YC startup engineer has to contend with.

Doing in a scalable way sure. Grocery margins are razor thin.

Doing it at a loss or break-even by working 80+ hours a week understaffed no, everyone can do that.