Brian Burkhart

“I’m really proud of this business, but everyone [in Chicago] is looking for a way out. Most startups can do their work effectively almost anywhere.

“We’re not rich by any stretch of the imagination. And Chicago just makes it hard for us to grow because we’re spending [money] on stupid stuff. All it means to be in this city is that we get our butt kicked.

“Whether it’s the cloud tax or the new streaming tax, or [taxes on] bottled water or parking, all we get is headaches in this city – roadblocks, hurdles and headaches.

“It’s no longer a place I want to call home. And that’s awful because this is where I grew up. This is where my people are.”

Brian Burkhart
President, SquarePlanet
Chicago, Illinois