I think I caught a similar theme stated differently Thomas J. Stanley's "The Millionaire Mind." He noted that the entrepreneurs weren't the "beautiful people" who had backing, schooling and the right background to be accepted into mainstream, high wage jobs. Not to say that many of those beautiful folks didn't gain wealth, but they often did it as doctors or executives rather than business owners.

I think there is a definite need to prove oneself to society, a parent, or a lover that drives those who start businesses, technical or not.