Guess what, how many millionaires are in this world? Forget about the inflation millionaire and black money holders, I refer to listed millionaires who have earned their wealth through genuine business activities.
According to the UBS bank report, the amount is 59.4 million globally (Global Wealth Report).
Becoming a millionaire doesn’t necessarily entail high-paying jobs or inheriting fortunes; it is about developing the mindset of a millionaire and making informed choices that will accrue wealth with time.
As self-made millionaire Alan Corey says,
“I copied these 5 rich people’s habits to earn my first million.”
So what does it take to become a millionaire? What I found are not just suggestions but practical steps that can really boost your financial well-being.
There are so many ways anyone can build wealth from smart investing to using your skills for online work.
Launching Your Own Business
Beginning your own company could be an excellent way to become rich. The kind of businesses one can start range from goods-based business investments, to service provision enterprises, or even online-based companies.

To start your own business and become rich you need some guidance along the way- here are those:
- Discover what you love and make it a business.
- Make financial plans that show your destinations and objectives.
- Raise your earnings by selling unique products or services.
- Keep most of your income as savings for investment purposes.
- Join forces with other successful entrepreneurs to learn from them
The road map of entrepreneurship toward becoming a millionaire demands careful planning, commitment, and hard work.
This process involves coming up with a distinctive product, building a strong brand name, and scaling up. For instance, Sarah Blakely began Spanx with only $5,000 while Mark Zuckerberg launched Facebook in his dorm room amongst others who inspire many.
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing,” Walt Disney said
Remember that it takes hard work, dedication, and a good plan to become a millionaire through self-employment. The roadmap has to be followed; goals should be pursued till they are achieved at any cost.
You don’t need a huge amount of investment to start a business. You can start a business with a small amount of investment.
Invest in Real Estate
Real estate investment can really make one rich as fast as possible. There are various types of real estate investments such as residential property investments, commercial property investments, or even raw land investments.
When it comes to residential real estate these are homes that are bought or sold while commercial real estate involves properties used for business purposes being bought or sold. On the other hand, raw land refers to undeveloped lands being bought or sold.
Here are some steps that can help you get started:
- Get off the debt merry-go-round.
- Save 15–20% of every paycheck, and pay yourself first.
- Invest in rental properties that generate passive income.
- Reinvest your rental income to buy more properties.
Invest in Stocks and Bonds
Investment in the stock market and bond markets is well known. You can buy shares of individual companies, lend money to them or governments, and buy bonds from them. You may make a profit by receiving dividends or interest payments or by selling your shares at a higher price.
Firstly, you must have an understanding of financial markets. It also involves following market trends and financial news.

Some investments you can choose include corporate bonds, preferred equity securities, dividend-paying equities, and mutual funds.
The best approach to purchase and enjoy the advantages of this type of investment is to identify firms with a proven repayment history over time. A bond with a fixed interest rate purchased from an above-average-rated company with plans to hold it until maturity is regarded as a medium-risk investment.
At an early age, Warren Buffet was already in business. He became one of the billionaires because he made good investment choices and was patient.
According to him:
“The stock market is where money goes when it transfers from the impatient to the patient.”
Create a Blog Site Buys and Sells Businesses
To become a millionaire by starting a blog site and buying/selling businesses, you need to have a clear strategy and long-term objectives. The following are some guidelines.
- Select a profitable niche for your blog site and create high-quality content that attracts readers.
- Monetize the blog through advertisement, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, etc.
- Use search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to increase the visibility of your blog and attract more traffic.
- Buy and sell websites or online businesses that can grow into profitable investment opportunities.
Many people have made millions from starting blog sites and engaging in the buying/selling of businesses. One such person is Pat Flynn who created the Smart Passive Income blog in 2008.
His income has exceeded $3 million over this period from his own blog as well as other online business ventures.
Another case is Michael Arrington who established TechCrunch- one of the biggest technology sites which he later sold to AOL for $25m in 2010.
Several others specialize in travel, tech, and fashion among other sectors. They improve their content and then receive good cash after traffic rises. This journey takes time and observation of trends.
Invest in a Rental Property

Becoming a millionaire through investing in rental properties involves having a well-defined plan and thinking long-term. Here is how you can do that.
- Choose an economically viable location for your rental property and purchase it at a fair price.
- Have the premises let out to trustworthy tenants to make money regularly from them by renting.
- Use the income from rentals to cater for mortgage repayment including other expenses relating to the property.
- Invest back into other forms of cash flow-producing assets such as stocks, bonds, or other real estate property with income earned from rents.
- Minimize risks and maximize returns by adopting multiple strategies in your portfolio.
People have become millionaires investing in rental properties.
Grant Cardone is one significant example; he began investing in rental properties when he was 20 years old and now has an empire worth over $1 billion in real estate.
Invest in Retirement Account
Investing in retirement accounts is a wise decision. Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) for instance are known as 401(k)s as well help one save for future bills as they also come with some tax benefits.
Start early and invest regularly. Then for compounding interest magic takes its course over time. Thus leading to huge savings accounts from small portfolios one may have built up earlier on in his/her life.
Many individuals have grown rich by investing in their old age accounts. For example, Chris Reining started saving in his 401(k) when he was 26 years old until he became a millionaire at 37 years old.
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb.
So don’t think about your age anymore-you could be 20 or 45 but you can start investing today! With proper planning, you can save a good amount from your salary. Also, you can save a decent amount from your business.
Invest In A Startup Company
Facebook is probably the best startup that ever happened that changed everything.
“The biggest risk is not taking any risk,” said Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook.
Investing in startup companies can be an exciting way to create wealth. For instance, you can back tech start-ups renewable energy businesses, or even providers of consumer goods that are innovative.
This choice is vast because it encompasses the whole range of human creativity and market needs.
To become a millionaire by investing in a startup, you need to have a clear strategy and a long-term perspective. Therefore, you can follow these five steps:
- Conduct comprehensive research on prospective start-ups and settle for one whose business plan is well-designed and managed by experienced individuals.
- Invest early in this venture to maximize what you may earn later from it after it has been developed fully.
- Diversify your interest in many other start-ups to mitigate against risks that might arise from such investments.
- Continue keeping an eye on your investments by reviewing progress reports from the company under consideration.
- Lastly, wait a bit longer before selling any shares one may own since startups take years before they make money.
There are many examples of millionaires made through investing in start-ups. For example, Peter Thiel put $500,000 into Facebook in 2004 and became a billionaire when the company went public eight years later.
Become a Professional Speaker
Many people select professional speaking where they share their knowledge at conferences, workshops, or webinars. Professional speaking can take various forms like motivational speaking or keynote speeches among others.

Building a brand is important if you want to become wealthy. Speak often; write books or blogs; use social media platforms; promote yourself online. Over time, your reputation grows – which means more high-paying gigs will come your way sooner rather than later!
It was how Les Brown and Tony Robbins started. They began by speaking to small groups. Now they are international celebrities who prove that speaking can be a lucrative career.
Remember that, being a public speaker can make you a millionaire, requires hard work. You have to be devoted and approach it strategically.
It is crucial to first identify your niche and build your brand, as well as connect with other professionals if you are going to achieve financial success.
Develop Useful Skills
You can become a millionaire by developing valuable skills. There are various categories of development that one can undertake including but not limited to communication skills, marketing skills, leadership skills, and abilities in finance or technicality.
These skills are highly sought after. They often lead to lucrative job opportunities or freelancing gigs. Starting from online courses or boot camps may be helpful. Step by step, one would develop their portfolio which highlights their work for prospective employers or clients.
Digital marketing was mastered by Neil Patel before he became a famous expert in the field. Now he is known as one of the best digital marketers in the world besides this he also attracted millions of dollars due to his strategic business moves. Even stay-at-home mothers can earn a huge amount of money with proper skills.
Mentor Others
Being a mentor could not only be a way of giving back to society but it could also assist you towards becoming rich someday. There are different types of mentorship such as career mentoring, business mentoring, and life coaching.
To become a millionaire through mentoring, it is important to have a clear strategy on how you will achieve that. Here are some steps you can follow:
- Recognize your specific skill area and target audience.
- Build a strong personal brand and establish yourself as an authority in the field.
- Offer mentoring services either for individuals or organizations and charge them a fee based on time spent with you and expertise gained.
- Create a network then exploit relationships behind these contacts into business deals.
- Diversify income streams by offering related products and services like books, courses, and workshops.
A lot of people have become millionaires through mentorship for example Tony Robbins who is worth more than $500 million is a life coach and motivational speaker.
Invest in Vacation Rental Property
There are many who are making money through vacation rentals. They buy condos, beach houses, or cabins. These properties are rented to tourists and travelers. Especially with the likes of Airbnb and Vrbo, it’s a booming market.
Starting out with one property is the smart thing to do. Then reinvesting profits to get more property increases wealth over time. It isn’t instant but it is gradual. This has been the journey of most millionaires.
Brian Chesky, for example, co-founded Airbnb by renting out his own home. Today he is worth billions because of this idea that some people still don’t believe in.
Invest in Cryptocurrency Fund
One way to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency market without having to buy individual coins or tokens is by investing in a cryptocurrency fund. These funds pool money to invest in digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

The choice may be made between actively managed funds and passive index funds depending on each strategy that seeks to capitalize on volatile crypto markets.
Start with small investments if you have little capital. Also, you need consistency to contribute towards it bit by bit whenever possible.
Also, consider diversification within various cryptocurrencies which helps reduce risks associated with the same approach making even small investments potentially significant assets.
Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss have become wealthy from this method, becoming among the world’s first billionaires thanks to Bitcoin
Invest in a Gold fund
Gold has always remained a symbol of wealth and power. Investing in a gold fund is an age-old way to become wealthy. You can invest in physical gold, gold ETFs, or gold mining companies. Each option has its own merits and demerits.
Start by investing some of your savings into a gold fund. Over time, gold tends to hold its value and even grow especially during uncertain times in the economy. It is a long-term investment that works as an inflation hedge and protection against market volatility.
Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors in history, has called gold “a poor investment” in the past. On the other hand, he recently invested in shares of mining companies extracting it.
Even skeptics thus appreciate the indestructible worth of yellow metal for their portfolios.
Invest in a Learn high-income skill
You can gain wealth by learning high-paying skills such as data analysis, software development, or design. These are highly demanded skills in the employment market that also give room for freelancing or entrepreneurship.
Becoming a millionaire with skills is pretty straightforward: Focus on mastering one area of expertise. By doing this, you can land high-paying jobs or attract valuable clients. Plus, smart investing can boost your income steadily, helping you reach wealth faster.
Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos sound familiar? They combined technical knowledge with entrepreneurship to create world-changing businesses. Many smart in-house jobs can give you a decent earning if you have the right skills.
Build your Personal Brand

Building personal brands can be very powerful for you especially via social media outlets, blogging as well as public speaking.
However, to become a millionaire it needs discipline. Therefore share insights, connect with your audience, and provide value-added services. Eventually, this could earn you public speaking engagements; consulting requests, or book deals for writers over time.
Gary Vaynerchuk and Tim Ferriss are great examples. They became millionaires through their brands which were initially small but are now big followings.
“Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room,” Jeff Bezos once said.
This shows the power of a strong personal brand. It can open doors we never imagined.
FAQs
Can someone become a millionaire within a few years?
Becoming a millionaire in a short time is possible through inheritance or winning, but the most sustainable means would be to save and invest consistently for a long period.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when trying to become a millionaire?
Here are some common mistakes:
- Don’t always aim for perfect – sometimes good is enough.
- Your money isn’t your whole identity.
- Avoid risky ventures that are like gambling.
- Don’t let your spending grow too much as your income does.
What should I do if there’s an economic downturn in my quest to be a millionaire?
If an economic downturn hits just remember this storm will pass. Stay calm and remember that every journey has its ups and downs. Keep investing for the long-term perspective only.
Now You Know 15 Ways to Become a Millionaire – What Next?
There it is, the road to becoming a millionaire. But remember, don’t try too hard. Life is not all about money. Sometimes, financial freedom is enough to live a good life. If you become more hungry for money you might not enjoy life anymore.
Do what you love and make your passion your profession. Be disciplined and take calculative risks. One day you will become a millionaire.
Here are some more resources for you