The single underpinning criteria necessary for any successful businessman or woman can be condensed down into one significant factor: knowing who and how to ask for money. Behind every ‘self-made’ millionaire, there is a hidden network of either luck, privilege, or borrowed money. The term "self-made" is often a misnomer that conveniently ignores the many factors that contribute to success, other than one's own efforts.

So, without further ado, let’s burst some bubbles, shatter some dreams and peel back the layers of this heartwarming fairy tale to expose the reality behind the self-made millionaire. I will demonstrate how luck, loans, and lapdogs play a crucial role in shaping the fortunes of many successful people, and how they create an illusion of self-reliance that often masks a reality of secret financial handshakes and covert cash exchanges.

The Power of Borrowing Money: You cannot get ahead without making a rich man richer
The most common tool that self-made millionaires use to achieve their success is borrowed money. Money that they didn't earn themselves, but rather got from someone else. Money that they have to pay back eventually, with interest. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing inherently wrong with borrowing money. In fact, it can be a smart move that can help you advance your education, start your business, or buy your property. But let's not pretend that borrowing money is the same as making money. Because it's not. Borrowing money is like using a cheat code in a video game. It gives you an unfair advantage over your competitors who have to play by the rules. It allows you to skip some levels, get some extra lives, or unlock some hidden features. It makes the game easier and more enjoyable for you.

But it also comes with a price. You have to pay back the money you borrowed, plus interest and you have to deal with the consequences if you fail to do so. You have to share your profits or your assets with your lenders or investors and you have to acknowledge their role in your success. Most importantly, you have to admit that you're not really self-made, because you're not. You're partly made by someone else's money... you are not self-made, you are owned.
So, let's take a closer look at how borrowing money can help you achieve success in different areas of life.

Investing in Education
One of the most common reasons why people borrow money is to fund their education. Whether it's college tuition, graduate school fees, or online courses, education can be expensive. And many people can't afford it without taking out loans.
But education can also be a great investment that can pay off in the long run. Education can help you acquire valuable skills, knowledge, and credentials that can boost your career prospects and earning potential. Education can help you expand your horizons, explore your interests, and discover your passions. Borrowing money to invest in education can be a clever move; not quite like planting money trees in your backyard but… a seed if nothing else. You spend some money now to make more money later.

But let's not forget that borrowing money for education also comes with risks and costs. You have to pay back the loans you took out, plus interest, often for the rest of your life. You have to deal with the stress and pressure of debt repayment. You have to face the possibility of defaulting on your loans if you can't find a job or earn enough income. So, when society sings praises to your genius or your achievements, don't forget to thank your lenders or your scholarship providers for their generosity and support. Because without them, you might not have been able to afford your education in the first place. And most importantly, you have to admit that your education was partly funded by someone else's money… you are not self-made.

Entrepreneurial Ventures
Another common reason why people borrow money is to start their own businesses or pursue their entrepreneurial ventures. Whether it's launching a new product, developing a new service, or creating a new platform, entrepreneurship can be as exciting it can be rewarding. Entrepreneurship, however, can also be challenging and risky, it requires capital, resources, team management and expertise that many people don't have. It involves uncertainty, competition, and failure that many people can't handle.

Borrowing money to start your business or pursue your venture can be a smart move that can help you overcome some of the obstacles and challenges that entrepreneurs face. Borrowing money can help you buy the equipment, hire the staff, or market the brand that you need to succeed.

But let's not forget that borrowing money for entrepreneurship also comes with strings and obligations. You must pay back the money you borrowed, plus interest. You must share your equity or your profits with your lenders or your investors. You must follow their advice or their demands. And most importantly, you must admit that your business or your venture was partly funded by someone else's money. So, when the media hails you as a visionary or a disruptor, don't forget to thank your bankers or your angels for their trust and their backing because without them, you might not have been able to start your business or pursue your venture in the first place. …hence, you are not self-made.

Real Estate Acquisitions
Another common reason why people borrow money is to buy real estate properties or invest in real estate markets. Whether it's buying a home, renting an apartment, or flipping a house, real estate can be lucrative and satisfying. Real estate can be expensive and complicated, it requires a large amount of money upfront, as well as ongoing maintenance and management costs. It involves legal, financial, and environmental issues that many people don't understand.

So, borrowing money to buy real estate or invest in real estate can be a smart move that can help you build wealth and secure your future. Borrowing money can help you afford the property, leverage the asset, or diversify the portfolio that you want. But let's not forget that borrowing money for real estate also comes with risks and responsibilities. You must pay back the money you borrowed, plus interest. You must deal with the mortgage payments or the rental income. You must face the possibility of foreclosure or eviction if you can't keep up with your obligations. And most importantly, you have to admit that your property or your investment was partly funded by someone else's money. So, when your friends envy you for your lifestyle or your net worth, don't forget to thank your lenders or your partners for their cooperation and their contribution, because without them, you might not have been able to buy real estate or invest in real estate in the first place. … hence, you are not self-made.

The Illusion of Self-Reliance
Borrowing money can be a powerful tool that can help you achieve success in different areas of life. But it can also create an illusion of self-reliance that obscures the reality behind your success. Many self-made millionaires like to portray themselves as lone wolves who achieved their success through their own efforts and abilities. They like to emphasize their hard work, their determination, and their grit. They like to downplay their luck, their privilege, and their debt. But behind closed doors, they often rely on a hidden network of financial support and assistance that they don't want you to know about. They often tap into a web of financial intrigue that involves secret loans, covert investments, and shady deals so let's take a closer look at how this web of financial intrigue works.

Connections: Where Every Deal's a Big Deal
One of the most important factors that contribute to success is connections. Connections are the relationships that you have with other people who can help you achieve your goals. Connections are the contacts that you have in different fields and industries who can provide you with valuable information, resources, and opportunities.

Connections are crucial for success because they can give you access to things that you wouldn't otherwise have access to. Things like insider information, industry gossip, exclusive invitations, preferential treatment, special favors, and more. Connections are like keys that can open doors for you that are closed for others. Connections are like shortcuts that can save you time and effort that others have to spend. Connections are also elusive and exclusive. Connections are not easy to make or maintain. Connections are not available to everyone or anyone. Connections depend on factors like your background, your education, your location, your reputation, and more. Connections depend on factors like luck, privilege, nepotism… hence, you are not self-made.
So, let's take a closer look at how these factors affect connections.

Networking and Nepotism
One of the most common ways to make connections is through networking. Networking is the process of meeting new people and building relationships with them for mutual benefit. Networking is often done at events like conferences, seminars, workshops, parties, etc. Attendance at these functions and events is often expensive. Networking can be a great way to expand your circle of contacts and increase your chances of success.

Networking can help you learn new things, discover new opportunities, find new partners, etc. However, networking can also be tricky and tedious it requires good communication skills, persuasion, charisma, and more. Networking requires effort like preparation, follow-up, feedback, etc. And most importantly, networking requires access. Access to events, venues, and influential circles, which are often exclusive and not easily accessible to everyone.

Imagine you're at a swanky industry event where connections are being made left and right. You're sipping your overpriced coffee or champagne-, trying to fit in and make small talk with the elite. But here's the secret sauce: many of these networking opportunities aren't open to the public; they come with a hefty price tag or require an exclusive invitation. So, who's footing the bill? Well, often, it's not the so-called self-made millionaires. They have connections in high places, their sponsors, and their benefactors. It's like crashing a VIP party, but you're only on the guest list because someone vouched for you.

Access to the Inner Circle
Connections go beyond mere introductions. They can grant you access to valuable resources, insider information, and industry insights that others can only dream of. Imagine having a backstage pass to the hottest concert in town. Those with well-established networks can tap into resources that can catapult their careers or businesses into the stratosphere. But let's not forget that this access often remains hidden from public view. It's like a secret society with its rituals and handshakes. When someone from the inner circle decides to take you under their wing, it can be a game-changer. You gain insights, opportunities, and privileges that are reserved for the chosen few.

The Unspoken Reality: Wealth and Control
Now, let's pull back the curtain on another uncomfortable truth. Wealthy individuals don't just have a seat at the table; they often own the entire restaurant. In a world where knowledge is power, they're the ones holding the menu. They control the mechanisms that drive economic growth and influence decision-making. It's like being the puppet master in a grand show where others dance to their tune.

In this world, it's not solely about talent or hard work. It's about who controls the purse strings and the knowledge banks. They dictate the rules, set the agenda, and make the deals. It's a system where the rich get richer, not just because of their talents, but because they control the very flow of capital and knowledge.
So, what happens when you need that capital to launch your groundbreaking idea? Well, if the wealthy gatekeepers decide to withhold it and, let's say, 'borrow' your genius instead, you're left with little recourse. It's like facing a dragon with a stick. Their financial control becomes a chokehold on innovation and diversity, a situation I have personally experienced...

Redefining Success: Knowledge is True Power
In our quest to redefine success, it's essential to acknowledge that the path to financial prosperity isn't a solo expedition. It's a journey that combines strategic borrowing, the cultivation of meaningful connections, and a commitment to fairness and inclusivity in the business landscape.
We've debunked the myth of self-made millionaires and revealed the hidden factors that contribute to success. It's time to rewrite the story, not as a one-man show, but as a collective effort to level the playing field. Success should be accessible to all, not just those with the right connections and deep pockets.