Spring Week - Atypical Candidate is it Worth Applying

My position is somewhat unusual, and so I am seeking advice/confirmation of prior advice. Thank you to whoever takes the time to read it all and respond!

I secured good grades at school, perfect UMS in all my A-Level subjects bar one, in which I dropped a mark. Despite receiving university offers, I chose to instead to continue working on the publishing-tech project I was a founding team member of. The project was modestly successful, and I then went on to solo-found a specialist publishing house, which I still run today and is my primary source of income.

I wanted to pivot into finance, and whilst this was difficult without a degree, I was able to secure a role supporting PMs at a PWM. I worked on manager selection and allocations, as well as developing more robust internal performance monitoring and benchmarking. Meanwhile I began working on a fintech project with a friend, and it is now in beta testing.

At the advice of PMs at the PWM, I explored options to gain some formal education. Decent pg programmes were closed to me without a ug degree, so I reluctantly applied for ug programes. I am now studying Finance at a semi-target, and will turn 24 in my first year. It's not ideal, but I attended classes and then go back to my normal mid-twenties life and friends.

My ultimate goal is to work in AM, but I would also be interested in beginning my career in research.

The advice of friends at BBs who went through the SW-SI-Analyst mill, was that I would screen poorly and it likely wasn't a good use of my time applying. Instead, it was suggested I should focus on securing a SI in my second year, and try and fill this summer with some relevant work experience. 

I am looking for confirmation on whether this is sound advice or not? I appreciate that reviewing this advice so late in the SW application cycle is to my detriment.