I am done. I give up
I heard one of the founders of YCombinator say on a podcast that you have to be brought up upper middle class to succeed. He said he didn't like saying it, and I guess I believe him. I also believe he's right, and that it sucks. You didn't say anything about class in your post, but connections and confidence are something that the upper middle class (and higher) life brings. Quite possible that it also awards mental health advantages.<p>I would have been a good founder, had I been born later and richer. Sometimes life just gives you what you get.<p>I wish you luck. There's no shame in being an IC or a manager rather than a founder.