[ska]

> Now those aren't self employed, but

This is probably key. If GP's comment is accurate, I suspect it has more to do with "small business owner" than "tradesman". Of course they may just have a inaccurate view of real net, also. I know a few guys who would brag about "I made X last year" as a self-employed sub, but on a little interrogation it became clear they were very handwavy between company gross revenue and "I made".