A business and an investment are very different.
When you start a business, you’re usually actively creating and selling something. You may need to find customers, manage expenses, market the business, handle employees, and solve problems.
An investment, depending on what you choose, may require less day-to-day involvement, but it also doesn’t guarantee a particular return.
A successful business can potentially grow dramatically, but it can also fail.
An investment can grow over time, but its value can also fall depending on what you invest in.
This is why the question shouldn’t simply be:
“Which one makes more money?”
Instead, ask:
“Which one fits my goals, skills, risk tolerance, available time, and financial situation?”
Someone with excellent business skills but little investment knowledge might be better suited to building a business first.
Someone with a stable income and little time for business might prefer gradually investing money.