I run my own mail server and it is not an easy task.

First you need an un-tainted ip-address/network. Then you need to get it all right with spf, dkim, dmarc, dane etc. One mistake or misconfiguration and emails from your server will at best end up in the junk folder.

Not to mention the server maintenance.

Even if you think you got it all done, you will not be welcome at all recipients (I'm looking at you Microsoft).

It's quite a pain, but I still keep at it because I have the interest and time.