Author’s note: Apologies for the clickbait title—but let’s be honest, you probably wouldn’t be reading this without it. I’m not a millionaire preaching success; rather quite the opposite. This is a personal guide I created after learning from top performers from different field, and I wish someone had shared it with me earlier—it would’ve saved a lot of time and stress. I hope it helps you do the same. While some examples are from architecture (my background), the principles apply broadly to anyone in creative or service fields.

So there are 4 buckets under which each of you can fall or be a combination of to reach your goals -

1. An Artepreneur

2. A Provider

3. A Multiplier

4. A Jobber

But, before I move forward there’s one concept you need to understand very clearly –

What game you choose to play, matters.

Let me explain this graph with a simple example: the world’s No.1 tennis player earns 15 times more than the No.1 badminton player—just in prize money. So even if you're the best in your field, your earning potential depends on the game you’re playing. Winning matters, but the game you choose matters more. The graph shows, for instance, that a creative position in construction earns less than a creative position in software. It may seem obvious, but many still fall into the trap of comparison, unaware that their ceiling is set by their field. That’s why it’s crucial to understand the game you’re in—its pros and cons—and either play to win within it or switch games entirely.

1. The Artepreneur - artist | entrepreneur

Both “artist” and “entrepreneur” have been overused and diluted today, so here’s a new blend:
the Artepreneur—someone driven to create, express, solve, or build, first for themselves, and then for others like them. For them, mastering the craft matters more than money. Money becomes a byproduct, not the goal. It’s about getting paid to truly be yourself.

If this sounds like you—congrats! In many ways, you’re already wealthy and out of the rat race. The money may not have arrived yet, but stay patient—it will, in time. Not when you expect, but it will come. You're safe. Just stick it out.

Example path: Starting your own studio/consultancy, buidling your own product/company
Example people: Thomas Heatherwick, Dylan Field

2. The Provider - the Trader

If money is your main goal but you're stuck in a creative field, you have three options:

1. Change your game and move to where the money is.

2. If that’s not possible, shift from services to products.

3. Or, accept the limits of service work and be happy.

Most creatives are in the service business— they trade time for money. Even though the work is intellectual, people rarely pay for thinking—they pay for the time you spend turning their vague needs into tangible and visible results. (e.g., hiring an architect to design a home they can’t visualize themselves.) The problem? Time doesn’t scale. You only get 24 hours a day, and even with a team, there’s a ceiling. That’s why real wealth usually comes from products—something you create once but can sell repeatedly, without needing to show up each time.

Look at these example value chains:
Builder > Studio Owner > Junior Designer > Intern
Material Supplier > Contractor > Labour

Who do you think earns more?
You either sell the house—or the materials that build it. The key is to move from trading time to trading products that can multiply without more hours.

Example path: A furniture brand, small software applications
Example people: Tom Ford, James Dyson, Charles & Ray Eames

3. The Multiplier - the Master or Strategic Combinator

Some people are naturally good at certain things—or simply enjoy them more. If you’re self-aware enough to spot those strengths, you can turn them into an edge. But this only works if you become exceptionally good at what you do or atleast willing to be the best.
One path is to go deep and become a top expert.
The other is to combine your skills in a unique way and carve out a niche.

Example paths:
Architect x love for gardening = Landscape Architect
Engineer x love for design = Design engineer / Product Manager
Architect x love for photography = Architectural Photographer

The magic is in the mix. You serve a niche audience with specific needs—and face far less competition. You get paid for doing what you’re great at and love.

Example people: Edmund Sumner, Kenneth Frampton

4. The Jobber - the hardest path

A job should be a stepping stone—nothing more. As a creative, staying in one long-term isn’t sustainable unless you're exceptionally well-paid (which is rare) or your current situation truly leaves no other option.

If that’s the case, don’t complain—because the world doesn’t care. You always have a choice.

Use the job to learn, grow, and prepare to move to one of the other three paths. 
Move fast, take what you need, and level up.

In the end that’s the game: You bet on your self. If you wont, who will?

Share this guide forward to a friend who needs it or may need it.

If you have any thoughts / comments / corrections / feedback - Please do hit reply and let me know :) Thank you for taking out the time and reading it!