There was a time when I was doing IT work. I had low prices, which kept me busy. But I wasn't thriving. I was just going from job to job. Finally, I raised my prices. I got less work. But the work I did do was less frenetic. My income didn't change. But my quality of life did.
I don't know if this has any application to you, lower volume, higher margin. It just popped into my head.
I understand. I've had to "fire" some of my clients who took too much patience. My pricing is within the standard, and I believe I am paid well. However, I don't want my entire day filled with always working, so I keep my client list manageable. If I want to make more money for something, I take on a short term project which people are still trying to get me to do.
I don't believe in "giving away" my work. For a friend, I'll give a discount, but no one else. But even my discount is only 10%, and most of my friends don't need my kind of work.