Comment by shortrounddev2

I think most people (especially software engineers) who fantasize about leaving their office jobs and running a small retail or restaurant business are not upset with having to write code all day - they're upset with the people they work with/for and fantasize about independence, even if that means a more difficult day to day job. Or, they're unhappy with the sterile environment they work in and are disillusioned with the abstract nature of B2B products (what am I selling? Whose life am I improving by selling it?) and want to work with something whose value is more easily demonstrated.

I think that when someone tells you they fantasize about starting a small local retail business, that we shouldn't just shit on their naivite; we should listen to what they're really trying to say and help them find something that checks the boxes for them:

1. Something in the real world, preferably with physical products/services on physical products

2. Something with a larger degree of independence

3. Something whose value to the customer is obvious

4. Something which improves the world or their community in some way, and is not just extracting value from others.

Personally, I love writing software, but I hate Software companies