[epups]

You mentioned statistics and provided anecdotes. Also, ironically, you perfectly exemplified the risk/benefit trade-off: you took some risk with the idea that you could make more profit, but ultimately that failed - which is why being an employee is sometimes a good deal for those who would rather have peace of mind. Your example of your current boss, who both founded and worked for another successful startup, is precisely the other side of the coin here.

Let's look at statistics then. In the US, it seems that about 30% small businesses are successful enough to last over 10 years [1]. Your personal failure in one particular venture is not out of the norm, but your rant against entrepreneurship is totally wrong.

By the way I don't think anyone is arguing that the system is fair, that people who don't start businesses are lazy, or that everybody can make it. I don't know where you came up with these arguments. All that has been argued is that trying to start a business on your own is a risk/reward trade-off strategy that can pay off, and often does.

[1] https://www.fundera.com/blog/what-percentage-of-small-busine...

[scarface74]

And “successful enough to last ten years” says nothing about whether they actually make more than median wage in the US or how much capital they put in to start their business.

Most “independent business owners” who own franchised locations for instance have owners who work 50-60+ hours a week, and have spouses and their children providing free labor.

If you look at the net income of most franchise locations, they average around $60-$70K berz

[epups]

The question is not whether they make more than median wage actually, if you want to nitpick. It's whether they make more than they would as an employee. Yes you need capital and that's part of the risk. Also reducing the argument to be about "franchise owners" is a strawman.

[scarface74]

Is it really a “success” as a business owner to make less than the median wage and have to put capital at risk? No serious investor would settle for less than average return and not have a risk premium.

[epups]

If you work at a bakery and earn minimum wage but somehow save enough to open your own shop, the fact you may now earn less than median wage is not relevant. Do you understand now or would you like me to draw you a picture?

[scarface74]

How much does it cost to start a bakery? What would be the future risk adjusted cash flows of opening a bakery compared to just putting the money in risk free inflation adjusted bonds? What’s the relative risk of putting the money in an index fund?

And no I’m not just throwing out financial terms. I’m a proud MBA dropout (undergrad in CS)

How would that have turned out if you invested that money in your own store and opened it in February 2020? What happens if you open your store next to a store like Walmart or in a mall next to one of the major chains and they closed or moved reducing foot traffic (saw that plenty of times)?

If you can save up enough money to open a store, you can also save up enough money to go to technical school and learn a trade that is a lot less risky.

[epups]

I'm not sure whether you're willingly obtuse or just obtuse, but I also don't think it matters.