Self-employed folks, what do you do?

[Akavit]

We're based just south of Chicago but we'll do jobs anywhere in the 48 states if the customer is willing to pay charges for shipping and/or installation.  In practice, only churches have a good reason to hire us for long distance work because that's our specialty.  For residential and commercial cabinetry, there are usually local companies that do good work and would be more economical.

Custom furniture however, is easily crated and shipped.

Is that your company or a company you work for?  Use of Latin leads me to believe it's your company.

[voxxpopulisuxx]

Its my company...and its just me right now...the market is saturated with cheap immigrant labor..my pricing isnt winning. I also work for a larger contractor.

[Akavit]

Yeah, I haven't a clue how to beat the cheap, immigrant labor in the painting field.  I don't have that problem because the barrier to entry in my trade is very high.  I've not seen an immigrant competitor yet.  Plus, by the time any of them could gather the tools to get into the trade, they'll be charging American prices.

[Heinrich]

the market is saturated with cheap immigrant labor

This is what Tom Tancredo of Colorado focuses on in his campaigns. And he never wins. Upsets me. Along with the lower wages. I picked up a black guy once who needed a ride. He slung his huge sack of cans into the bed of the truck. He said basic construction work is tough because of all the "wet backs." I know the Austrians here will rationalize the depressed wages, but it is just not right when a native can't make money due to politics and an absence of virtue.