I like quite a bit about it. Being your own Boss is always good, but the way we work on-line, it's even better! When I started years ago, I built up a fairly large company, and had 24 employees in a 10,000 sq.ft. office/studio complex. I found myself working harder than I had before, and spending very little time at home. Back in 2004, I had enough and was burning out. I downsized by laying off all my production staff and most of my designers and programmers. I shut down the studios, and just moved my personal office back home. My guys all work from home too. That removed so much stress from my life!
My revenues are nowhere at the level they once were, but at the end of the day, my profits are almost the same! While some gauge success on corporate revenue, I gauge it on what's in my pocket at the end of the day. I did slow down quite a bit for a few years, and spent some time enjoying myself. But this past year I got a bit antsy and have started some new projects which are keeping me busy once again. But, I'm also enjoying myself again.
The downside of this industry is actually the people! It's hard for me to even to pretend to like many of the people I meet at shows and such. Just so many posers, and wannabe playas and pimps! I sometimes do find it embarrassing! Too many people treat this industry as a Lifestyle and not a Business, and that usually shows in their own "success". The people I enjoy in this industry are the ones that understand it's a business and act like fairly normal people. That tends to be mainly the other "old-timers" that are still around. I know that may sound snobbish, but it is how I feel.