What do you count as independently wealthy? Middle class (1-3 years savings, good education, professional job prospects) to successful startup founder is not uncommon enough to call an outlier - I personally know at least half a dozen people with that background and story. It's not exactly easy, but people can do it.
It is much harder for working-class folks (no savings, no college degree, no unique skills) to make the jump.
Pretty much by definition, yea. If you can actually afford to leave your job (in other words are independent of it) for 1-3 years and go off and start something that might not even make money, you're pretty wealthy.
It is much harder for working-class folks (no savings, no college degree, no unique skills) to make the jump.