Is it more difficult? Really?
Case in point--have a friend that has a college degree that he realized was worthless--became a plumber. Owns his own business now and is very successful.
Another case in point--another friend with a finance degree--quit finance and is now a contractor and owns a business building houses--again very successful.
BOTH took a TON of work--yet both have become successful in today's world--so why can't anyone else do this?