Is moving up on the corporate ladder a bigger accomplisment than starting your own business?

After I graduated as an accountant, I started working for a big company, but was making very little money, and I never got promoted. I began doing freelance accounting work and realized I didn't need that low paying job.
I'm 26 now, and I got my own accouting office, and I'm an employer of 3 people.
I'm making more money than most people I went to college with.
But somehow, some people make comments about me starting my own business being a pathetic because I couldn't do any better.
Some people say setting up my own office at some place I rent is not as big accomplishment as being given an office by some company.

I'm making more money than most people working for companies. I don't have boss to put up with, I don't follow anyone's orders unlike most of my old classmates.

My business is growing, but some people tells me I don't have a career for not working in a company. Some people have called me unemployed.

Why is having your own business viewed so negatively?

Most people will sell their body mind spirit and time for a job and supposed "security" that comes with it.
ur lucky to start a biz b4 being forced to do
so like so many will be as years go by.
most people 'wish' to be self sufficient
but can't handle the highs/lows of being owner.
you have the ability to increase ur earnings , lower ur taxes, secure ur future , retire with dignity . they will not.

I think owning you're own business has multiple advantages over working for a corporation. You're the boss, what you say goes, you don't have anybody to answer to, or anybody to yell at you. You make you're own schedule, very convenient if you have a family. Tax breaks are a plus (but i don't think i need to tell you that being an accountant and all). On top of all that you have the pride of knowing that you can make a business succeed, i think the reason people look down on self employment is because its risky, and working for a corporation is a guaranteed paycheck, they are gutless and not willing to take a risk.

They're just jealous. Keep growing your business and make a fortune while the rest of us corporate idiots keep working the long hours for the man!

good luck!

Stop listening to others, especially those who either don't get it or have a sour grape attitude! Anybody can go out and open a business but how many have the vision, guts and discipline to make it shine?! These people won't be talking if they only knew how much blood, sweat and tears you and all the other small businesses have to through just to survive. I'd recommend you to check out and, perhaps, join your local chapter of Business Network International and get yourself with other like-minded business owners. Yes, the big guys may have the muscles to open doors but it is the small businesses that are the pillars of this great country! Good for you! You've got yourself a piece of the American dream! Keep going!

Stop worrying about things and people you can't control. IF you are making enough cash to do the things in life you want and you are happy doing it -- forget about what anyone else thinks or says. You're the man and don't forget it.

as a person with a business degree, what people say should not influence your future. if you like owning your own company then those are accomplishments you should hold dearly. many people dream to own their own business and yet they fail because most go either bankrupt the first year or don't know how to start one. you have an advantage and should think about expanding or think of organizing your company better.

for what is better, either owning your own business or working for someone and move up the ladder, well... that is a personal goal, since we all don't share the same commitments. don't be down because some idiot thinks working for someone else is better security then working for yourself. that idiot probably won't move up as far as he/she think they will, since most of top level jobs are already held by the top 5~10% of the people in society. these people went to yale, harvard, princeton, and so on. most people end up getting as far as being manager of something. now how is that a big accomplishment vs. being called an entrepenuer?

hope that helps.