Is the only key to true wealth in the US found through owning and running your own business?

And making your whole life revolve around it?
- Family = Employees / shared owners / operators
- Close friends = Other current or potential business partners, with most reason for gathering / talking being to talk about business and how to work together to expand it
- Vacations = Tax-deductible business expenses
- Material items = Only if business related so they can be more tax-deductible business expenses

This way there are no personal distractions…everywhere you look, there will be your business looking back at you and nothing else.

Is this the only true way to success in the US? Stop having any other hobbies / interests, and only focus on making a business profitable 24/7/365?

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CaliCanadianAngela · 41-45, F

As a business owner, it’s a pretty significant part of my life but I don’t think my life revolves around it. Some people can be obsessive and focus on it 24/7 but others find balance. Sometimes it’s seasonal where you have to put more emphasis on the business than other times. But I do what I love as well.

Having said that I don’t think owning your own business is the only path for success (if you’re defining it simply by your bank account). I believe Dave Ramsey did a millionaires study and found most of the people that ended up as millionaires (people who have a million in assets) are pretty average people (engineers, teachers, accountants) who were just wise with their income, finances, and investments. I think something like 80% of millionaires are first generation.

But as we all know success is not just your bank account but success in relationships, hobbies, and other aspects of your life. You don’t have to be a billionaire to be ‘successful.’