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What does "starting out on my own" mean? Does that mean you're going to make a startup company?

If so, you may have options, depending on where you're located. I participated in a startup company in Pittsburgh, PA, and what we did... there's an organization there called "The Pittsburgh Technology Council" that lets multiple small tech startups pool together for purposes like this. Here's their page on health insurance:

http://www.pghtech.org/why-join/member-benefits/council-employee-benefits-group.aspx

Try to find a similar organization in your own area, they may be able to help.

If you are looking for benefits specifically, most starups and small companies can not afford top-tier health insurance and dental insurance, and usually you have to kick in a whole lot for your percentage.

That hasn't been my experience here in Pittsburgh. Yeah, I know. Not exactly what you think of as a high-tech Mecca, do you? Yet we've got a really strong expert base around robotics, networking, file systems and search; and the resources of several major universities and corporations to draw on. On top of all that - and more to the point - there's an organization here called the Pittsburgh Technology Council. Aside from other things, the PTC offers member companies some really good deals on medical and dental benefits. I've worked for four startups here over the past 10 years, and quite frankly, the benefits they've been able to snag through the PTC have been equal to or better than those available from larger corporations.

I'd be really surprised if similar organizations don't exist in other cities. Don't write off working for a smaller company before you check them out and see what they have to offer. You might be pleasantly surprised.

http://www.pghtech.org/

Leave your e-mail address in a reply for more specific info.

I handed over CEOship of my startup to a sales guy in 1998, and Red Hat bought the company in 2000. So I definitely understand your position.

Your best bet is to connect with local business development groups (in Pittsburgh, it was the Pittsburgh Technology Council) and groups like SCORE. Look particularly at networking opportunities like lunches, and be up front about what you're looking for and cautious about committing to any one person. You'll eventually meet people who will be pretty good fits. You'll want to find not an MBA, but somebody with substantial experience who might or might not have an MBA but whose skills are strong exactly where yours are weak. Also, do not discount the candidate's networking skills - a CEO who is in tight with local VCs can make lots of business opportunities appear even if you don't want VC. But don't neglect to check references, they'll tell you a lot about what you can expect in the future.

I could go on about the cultural conflicts with your new CEO that you'll encounter once you've started down that road, but those could fill a book or three and might get me sued.

From another article:
"Tug is a beefed up, industrial version of Cye with a patent-protected navigation/tracking system that slashes its price thousands of dollars below the competition, according to Thorne. Other differentiating factors include Tug's enormous 500-pound hauling capacity and a retrofit kit to pull existing hospital carts."
You can find out more about Cye here.

As a contractor I have never been so busy in my life... There is work out there, just not long term, stable, live on the teat of a big company kind of work...
I'm with you. And even if you aren't a consultant, the market is still pretty okay. In fact, there's a steady stream of jobs in Pittsburgh

If you live in Southwestern PA, USA, be sure to hit The Pittsburgh Technology Council. This is a collaborative site of most tech companies in Pittsburgh and vicinity. Many of those companies post positions here.