I'm not really suggesting this, but as soon as i got office space people's opinions of my work increased 10 fold. Even saying I was making money didn't phase people.

Of course, when i started working at home again, they were still asking me "how's your office doing?" As if, that is where I kept all my work, in folders, at an office, with desks.

Of course you could just say, we just opened an office downtown, and people will get excited for you.

It's not just your family. In much of the world, people (most especially your parents) will equate entrepreneurship with not having a job, scamming, all sorts of negative associations. But it's your family, so they will be somewhat forgiving. Show them what you're doing, point to the people in the world who have done well (de-emphasize the billionaires, and emphasize the people who created jobs for themselves). Be passionate. Like everything you do, you have to sell it to them.

I think the word "entrepreneur" has so many negative connotations because it's overused (at least in the States). Jobs are called entrepreneurial, employers are looking for entrepreneurs and MLMs like Cutco & Mary Kay consider their sales people entrepreneurs. It's sad.

I really like & use the titles cofounder or founder.

I just say "I run a small web design business," although it lacks the edge now that I'm employed as well :^)

I do think that it sounds a little off-base to call oneself an entrepeneur at least in the DC area...very self-important.

I used to live in DC. Entrepreneurs were few & far between; paper shufflers abound.

Now that you say that, until recently I resisted calling myself an entrepeneur, it does have a lot of negative connotations. I'm past that and now I probably should try and drag some of them along with the dream, they'll be kicking and screaming - at first anyway - but it's a whole lot better than grinding my teeth.

I too have noticed that being passionate about what you're doing, and getting that message across positively, really helps turn skeptical attitudes around.

When you say "much of the world," which regions are you familiar with that have this stigma? I'm curious.

I'd say anywhere where there aren't a _lot_ of successful startups compared to the number of "conventional" businesses, and a good startup community. Northern California, Massachusetts, and where I am now (Ottawa, Ca) are about the only places I can think of that don't have that stigma. But I haven't been everywhere in the world.

My father who was entrepreneur himself used to say: "Never start a company. If you really want money then go to work for the goverment".

Because high level of bureaucracy here in Russia it's really hard to start a company in a real sector. And it's hard to find a VC for tech startup. It's depressing. I even thought about moving to some other country on Phd postition and part time working for start up... but it's seems too extreme =(

If you are young, I suggest you give it some more thought. There's a big world out there, even bigger than Russia, believe it or not.