General Discussion

JDPriestly

(57,936 posts)

12. If you were self-employed today, you would have to compete with huge corporations.

Tue Dec 13, 2011, 01:39 PM

Dec 2011

Being self-employed 30-40 years ago was very different from being self-employed today.

I question whether people who are running franchised companies are really "self-employed" in the sense that people used to be self-employed.

I hear that some people do well on the internet if they can find a niche not filled by some huge corporation.

It's pretty tough to open a store nowadays. A green grocer opened one in our area a few years ago and seems to be doing well -- and there are several newly opened second-hand stores that manage to remain open. But beyond that, the only flourishing really small businesses seem to be bakeries or very small restaurants, maybe a coffee shop in a great location. I don't know that they make much money -- probably not enough for a family.

It isn't your choices. It's changed times.

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CNN Poll: Are you better off than your parents? [View all] Puzzledtraveller Dec 2011 OP

Why does being better off than your parents mean that you're not part of the 99%? Brickbat Dec 2011 #1

Exactly tularetom Dec 2011 #8

I assume the poll includes EVERYONE CJCRANE Dec 2011 #2

Very true! intheflow Dec 2011 #14

I am nowhere near as well off as my parents Coyote_Bandit Dec 2011 #3

If you were self-employed today, you would have to compete with huge corporations. JDPriestly Dec 2011 #12

I'm a pre-boomer. When my father was my age marybourg Dec 2011 #4

In some way yes and in some ways no Cigar11 Dec 2011 #5

In what sense, Charlie? frazzled Dec 2011 #6

lots of wishful thinking SixthSense Dec 2011 #7

Plain lucky, then. Not exceptional. MissB Dec 2011 #16

As a baby boomer plcdude Dec 2011 #9

Yes I am better off. But that isn't saying much. rox63 Dec 2011 #10

I make more money than my mother ever did but it buys little improvement in quality of life TheKentuckian Dec 2011 #11

Not Even Close RobinA Dec 2011 #13

Yes, but only because I qualify for SSI and Section 8 because of my Asperger's. Odin2005 Dec 2011 #15

I guess the first question would be if they are still alive or not snooper2 Dec 2011 #17

CNN polls aren't scientific. nt Romulox Dec 2011 #18

This message was self-deleted by its author Obamanaut Dec 2011 #19

I'm much better off FreeJoe Dec 2011 #20

no, and i am a boomer shanti Dec 2011 #21

It's kind of a silly, irrelevant question. saras Dec 2011 #22

I think a lot of those Yes respondents have based their decision on access to technology. MilesColtrane Dec 2011 #23

Nope Autumn Colors Dec 2011 #24