I think you make this concept very clear, explaining the subtle but important differences btw owning a business vs investing in the stock market in the aspects of: control, human nature (for a business, you can act according to human nature; for investment, you have to act against... like "Be Fearful When Others Are Greedy"), risk (financial risk vs non-financial risk such as sacrificing your time only). I totally agree that investment in the stock market is like a "income / wealth multiplier", which means in the first place, you have to have a decent disposable income, then you can use the stock market machine to enhance your wealth. Of course, if you have better skills, you would achieve a higher multiplier effect. So stepwise, you need to have a decent disposable income first, either through a good job or setting up a profitable business.