Are engineers just app builders?

Many years ago, I met someone from a networking event and we had a follow up meeting.

Minutes into the conversation he started bringing up his business ideas.

I too had ideas of my own that I was passionate about as well - and shared excitedly with him.

He subtly implied that engineers do not make good business people and we should leave the business to someone else who knows better.

I asked him about his past business successes that had him make this statement. He demurred and gave vague answers.

He proceeded to continue talking about his business ideas and said he was looking for someone to build an app for him.

Being an engineer doesn’t mean that you are bad (or good) at business.

Being a non-engineer doesn’t mean that you are good (or bad) at business.

It’s whether or not you put in the effort to acquire those skills.

Have you encountered this situation before?