Third, most people who start their own labels have absolutely no expertise in business, administrative or marketing the real world of record promotion or distribution, other than that deliberately perpetuated by all the fools who never did it themselves either. And that won't work. With the broadcast and record store doors closed to indies at the outset, attempting to ship indie records to everybody in sight hoping someone will want a bazillion copies by some 'magical' process is sheer ignorance at best, and business stupidity at worst. Fourth, most people who start their own labels think getting distribution is a free and clear million dollars from the distributor. And that isn't going to happen.
Distribution is a service.
Just like utilities in your home or office, gas, water, electricity, garbage collection, etceteras. You pay for it or you don't have it. Somebody paid a lot of money to be in the business of distribution, and they're going to get paid on that investment. That's why they made the investment to begin with. Fifth, most people who start their own labels have no idea of the investment required by publishers who own the copyrights to the music involved.