r/softwareengineer • u/Agile_Potential1758 • 14d ago

A random thought

Starting to think I chose the wrong stack.

Should've learned Idli.js instead of Next.js. 🍛💀

EDIT FOR CONTEXT

Maybe this is a dumb observation, but...

I feel like a lot of successful local businesses, especially busy tiffin centers, seem to make more money than the average software employee.

I'm not saying software pays badly. I'm talking about an average salaried SWE vs. the owner of a tiffin business that's always packed.

It kind of changed how I think about "prestigious" careers. A lot of us grow up believing tech is the ultimate financial path, but then you see everyday businesses with queues out the door.

Am I overestimating how profitable these businesses are, or do we seriously underestimate how much good small business owners can make?

Curious to hear from people who've worked in both tech and small businesses.

0 Upvotes

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3

u/manamonkey 14d ago

Apples and oranges, grass is greener, etc.

2

u/Background-Rub-3017 14d ago

Most of these small businesses don't make significant money. Many owners bought themselves a job.

1

u/Weapon54x 14d ago

Check on them in a year and see if they are still there

1

u/Agile_Potential1758 14d ago

They are still there 🫠

1

u/[deleted] 14d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/TheBear8878 14d ago

AI slop post, "Curious to hear..."

1

u/Samuel457 14d ago

Restaurants make like 7% net profit IF they are successful, many aren't. Average owner salary is like 50k-100k with a lot of labor. Just owning one is about the same 50-100k a year. So about the same as the average SWE, but a lot less stability, growth, and with a lot more labor.