It's harder but we're still finding oil in Oklahoma today. The bar has been raised on startup companies but it can still be done. Every regulation and every rule limits you but yes it can still be done. That's the beauty of living in a free country and having the freedom to have an idea and become an entrepreneur.
Good dreams don't come cheap you've got to pay for them and If you just dream when you're asleep this is no way for them to come alive... to survive.