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Why Starting a Business Isn’t Always the Fastest Way to Get Rich
Wealth-building often begins where you least expect it, not where hustle culture tells you to look.
The road to financial freedom is paved with one message: Start your own business.
Social media glorifies the entrepreneur lifestyle — quitting your job, being your boss, and scaling to six or seven figures in under a year.
But for many people, especially beginners, starting a business may be the least effective way to build lasting wealth.
In reality, entrepreneurship is a long game — one that demands time, emotional resilience, and financial risk. And while it can be gratifying, it’s far from the only (or safest) path to riches.
Most Businesses Don’t Survive
Let’s begin with the numbers.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 20% of new businesses fail within their first year, and around 50% fail by the end of their fifth year.
Most struggle due to poor cash flow, lack of market need, or founder burnout.
This reality is often masked by the shiny headlines we see on LinkedIn or Twitter.
