Are We Still Fascinated by the Rich?

2026-08-17

Download

At dinner the other night the question came up…Are people as fascinated with the rich as they were in the 1980s? I think they are. They're just fascinated by different things.In the 1980s, if you wanted to signal success, you bought the biggest house, the fastest car, or the watch with the biggest logo. Success was about being seen. Today, many of the wealthiest people intentionally avoid that kind of attention because showing off isn't nearly as impressive as it once was.Instead, people have become f...

At dinner the other night the question came up…Are people as fascinated with the rich as they were in the 1980s? I think they are. They're just fascinated by different things.

In the 1980s, if you wanted to signal success, you bought the biggest house, the fastest car, or the watch with the biggest logo. Success was about being seen. Today, many of the wealthiest people intentionally avoid that kind of attention because showing off isn't nearly as impressive as it once was.

Instead, people have become fascinated by something else. They want to know how successful people think. They read biographies, listen to podcasts, follow entrepreneurs, and study the habits of top performers. The curiosity has shifted from what they own to how they make decisions.

Here's something you can do this week that reflects that shift. Instead of posting another testimonial or announcing another achievement, share one decision you've made in your business that turned out to be the right one. Explain why you made it, what you learned, and how that lesson could help someone else avoid the same mistake.

People don't just buy expertise. They buy judgment. Every time you demonstrate how you think, you're giving prospective clients a preview of what it's would be like to work with you. That's far more compelling than simply telling them you're experienced.

If you become known for the quality of your thinking instead of the size of your success, you'll attract exactly the kind of clients who value good judgment over flashy marketing.

If you're fascinated by how affluent people think, make sure you pick up a copy of my Amazon #1 bestseller, The Gilded Revival. It's not a book about becoming wealthy. It's a book about understanding the mindset of today's affluent consumer so you can build a business that naturally attracts them.

Order your copy on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPSVJ5R6?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

#AffluentMarketing #WealthyClients #LuxuryMarketing #ClientPsychology #DecisionMaking #TrustedAdvisor #ProfessionalServicesMarketing #MarketingStrategy #PremiumBranding #BusinessGrowth #HighNetWorth #TheGildedRevival #AffluentMindset #LuxuryConsumers

Comments (3)