My business was a military contracting firm. I provided specialty medical services to military bases. I did a little more than ten million per year for several years (not that big among military contracting firms many of which, like Haliburton, do billions). Most of the time I only had around 100 employees, but each had families then there were suppliers and sub contractors.

Owning a business is a huge and often misunderstood responsibility. Employees are guaranteed at least a minimum wage for their work, but there is certainly no minimum profit. You put your life and heart into a business and it can all be lost in a heartbeat by incompetent employees.

I retired myself in my early forties. Sometimes I miss the power, but not the responsibility.

smile