Why would you want to own a business?
If you aren’t born to wealth, there are only a few ways that you can make yourself comfortably rich. You can be an actor or singer or athlete; but even if you make it to the stage or to the field, your chances of becoming a star are small.
You can be a novelist, but ditto: nearly every published novel sinks from sight. You can run some big public company, but getting to the top that way is tough: more likely, you will spend yourself for your employer and then get downsized out at the age of 55.
So it turns out that, far and away, the most dependable way to become rich in America is by owning and managing a closely-held business. Congratulations! If you already own a business, then you are already half-way rich. Make no mistake. The only reason to own and run a business is so you can make yourself financially comfortable. If that is not your goal, then don’t work so hard! Instead, find a comfortable nine-to-five job and spend your free time at some rewarding hobby. To own and run a business is a twelve-hours-per-day, maybe six-days-per-week intensive effort, and to do it well and be very successful as a business owner is even harder.
But here is a fact that you can take to the bank: if you choose a suitable field and run your business well and wisely manage the money that it makes, then getting rich enough to be very comfortable is going to be just a matter of time.
