How many of you are self made?

[lhanddds]

Interesting topic, My first job was working for my dad in a warehouse at around 10 yrs of age for .10 an hour. He got more than his money's worth. My parents had the means to pay for my education, but that was it. Finished in the top 20% of my class in dental school and worked hard for what I have. There is a sense of satisfaction that some will never have. Some folks can't help that they were born with money, so I form my opinions on an individual basis.

[lhanddds]

Originally Posted by Paladin

CONGRATS!!!! Seldom hear about soulmates who are fortunate enough to find each other at such a young age.

Met my wife in high school, married almost 33 years, blessed for sure

[DoxaDavid]

Self made can be hard to describe acuratly depending on how you want to define it.

My fathers parents had nothing and worked hard to send my dad to college. When he moved back to South Dakota, he got a loan for $10,000, rented a dirt lot with a portable trailer on it and started his auto dealership. He worked hard and built up a nice business. He turned 40 and decided to sell it all and move us to "the city" in Minneapolis. He bought a paint distribution company which proceeded to cost him everything he had earned over six years until he closed it down. He never once cried about it but instead went back to what he knew had been successful at and bought a small used car dealership which over the years grew to make him a very good living again.

My father never "gave" me anything but an opportunity to earn my success along with his knowledge about business which he said with hard work and a little luck, would be all I should need to be successful. I was fortunate my grandparents left me money to go to college and from the time I was old enough to have a job, I have had one. I started working for my fathers dealership in highschool washing cars because he believed to learn a business, you had to start at the bottom and over the years, had worked at every position. You need to be Chef, cook and bottle washer he used to say to know your business. When the time came for me to become his partner, he didn't give me that either. He made me buy my ownership which at the time I will say made me angry but after years of perspective, I eventually understood why. It's a different kind of appreciation when something is given to you verses paying for it so in hindsight, I think he was right.

I won't bore everyone with part II of my economic life where the horrific economy took down my 53 year old dealership and was forced to close the doors in 2009 however, like my father needing to starting over, I have done the same.

Fortuitously, I saw the writing on the wall about where the automotive world was headed and created a legal document support company in 2008 with the suggestion from an attorney friend who was not happy with his firms vendor. I started it with one employee and a concept which has grown to a multi state enterprise with over 60 people working for me. I am lucky and the harder I work, the luckier I keep getting!

So to answer the OP, yes, I believe I am self made by what I presume you are asking but as another said, it was because I was smart enough to listen to those who had experience and learned from them because nobody can be successful without help i.e knowledge which usually is as or more important then financial support.

[Johny]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

Let's keep this one as low key as possible.

I'm a member of the "No leg up from anyone" club.

[BarkMaster]

My parents made me.

But to your point, we all make make our own beds... or not. As another poster stated: it's all relative.

[GradyPhilpott]

My Uncle Sam has been good to me, but it took a lot of hard work and years of deprivation to take advantage of my veterans' benefits, but without them, I'd be in pretty bad shape, I'm sure. Well, the truth is that I'd be dead.

As for real family, I was on my own with hardly an "atta boy," but that's been the way in my family for generations, probably going back to the Old World.

Looking back, I have no regrets, whatsoever.

I get by.

[eman1200]

I'm not self made but I did make my self dinner.

[F&Iguy]

Originally Posted by Paladin

CONGRATS!!!! Seldom hear about soulmates who are fortunate enough to find each other at such a young age.

Thank you and soulmates is a very good word for it

[david_ord]

Speaking of luck, this thread just reminded my how fortunate I am. Based on the number of opportunities I've blown in the past, it is amazing that I still where I am.

[rodrob59]

I've been fortunate enough to build a great life mostly on my own, and to help others when I could. Heard all my life that the true definition of success was being happy. If that's true I'm a great success.

[Runnin' Rebel]

The Yacht-Master destroyed me.

Best wishes Tony..

[White_Au]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

I'd like to say I was self made but I think my parents fooling around in the early 60's had something to do with me popping up?

ha ha, beat me to it!!




Definitely not self made, but was smart enough to take advantage of all the opportunities presented to me.
I have several siblings that are "self unmade".

[Rsvrider]

Thanks to everyone for posting. I'll have my kids read this thread next time they come to me with the "entitlement attitude".
This is a rare breed, and clearly one that is in the "endangered species" list.

[dbphotos]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

I'm a member of the "No leg up from anyone" club.

[Ebruner]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

I'm a member of the "No leg up from anyone" club.

Well said, I'm proud to be a lifelong member as well.

[nolawis]

Good family->Cop->Lawyer->Now (good to go)


Nw

[ratae1950]

Having grown up in the UK with free education K through 2x graduate school, I have to say that like many people, even though I didn't get $$ from family, I did benefit from society's help, as well as the inspiration of teachers and friends. So I think if we consider our interconnectedness with other humans, it is hard to say we are completely self made......