Anyone else has trouble getting people to understand business?

Question

Here's what I mean.  For reference, read link. I'm not going to repeat everything there.

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/705...

Basically, my husband runs oir home Reno and rental business. Income from it right now is actually more than what he was making with his last full time job in PR.

And yet, my parents keep asking me when will he get a "real job" again?

Then yesterday, I was talking to a long time girl friend of mine. Told her about our business and whatnot. She asked me "so what does he do all day not having a job and all that free time? "

It seems to me that some folks seem to have trouble understanding that working for yourself is also a "real job" and that you're actually more busy than if you were working for someone else.

I had to explain to her that my husband stopped having free time the moment he quit his job to tend to our real estates business. She was so surprised by that. She said but it doesn't sound like he has a lot to do. After I rolled my eyes, I told her exactly what he has to do throughout the day. It is quite a lot. Not to mention we are constantly expanding the business so we are always on the look-out for more properties to buy.

Morgan Klein · Answer

Why feel the need to justify yourself to family and friends?  Sounds like you and your husband are doing exactly what you want to do.  My advice would be don’t worry about it!

Jeff Copeland · Answer

@Lam N. - I'm genuinely curious: Why do you care? Or feel the need to justify your business activities/hours/income to anyone?

Have you asked them when they are going to stop making their employer wealthy and do something meaningful for their own family's financial security instead? (Probably not, because it's none of your business, right?)

90% of the population generally doesn't understand the concept of owning/operating a business, or the hours and responsibilities involved. And I want to clarify, I am not looking down on them or knocking them or their choices, only pointing out it takes a certain type of person to be an entrepreneur, and owning a business is not for everyone.

Many of those same people who could never conceive of starting/owning/operating a business are quite happy in their career choices and content being tenants, employees, etc, rather than business owners, and there is nothing wrong with that.

You do you, let them do them.

Lam N. · Answer

You guys are quite right that I shouldn't worry about what others think. Thing is I'm Asian and our family is bonded rock solid. And yes, I am the stereotypical Asian that constantly seeks approval of my parents LOL.

Edit.

I would imagine that the way they view my husband is the same way blue collar workers view us white collar workers. I've had many blue collar people telling me I don't do anything all day in my office.