Also, take into consideration that your boss may be making good money, but there may be other reasons that he has an expensive lifestyle–family money, his wife is wealthy, etc..

Look at getting maintenance accounts to build profit and have steady work to start out. There’s good money in hardscapes, especially stone work–patios, walkways and outdoor entertaining areas and pool scapes.

Another option is to find a company where there is a strong possibility for you to advance, leading to partial ownership and profit sharing.

Try salary.com and sba.org for info on salary and loans.