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For every member of the Forbes 400, there are more than 4,000 private business owners worth at least $10 million. You probably have never heard of any of them.They own the beer distributorship in your town, the dental group with four offices, the HVAC trucks that passed your house this morning. A decade inside anonymized IRS data turned up three million of them, and the version of that story running in many outlets this month is the hopeful one: fortunes still being built in unglamorous industries, far from the coasts, by people with no degree and no connections. The American Dream, alive and hiding in plain sight.That is one part of what the data says. The other part is that the largest fortunes are concentrated where the law limits who can compete at all, and the owners have the political weight to keep it there. Whether the first part redeems the second is the entire argument here. The economist who found the numbers doesn't know for sure whether it's a good or worrying story.Eric Zwick is the Joel F. Gemunder Professor of Economics and Finance at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and co-author, with Owen Zidar of Princeton University, of “The Everywhere Millionaire: Who Is Really Rich in America and How They Got There”: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250378507/theeverywheremillionaire/ Connect with us:
She runs a three-person team. She places 7 to 12 people a month. She charges 18% of annual salary — right in line with the market. And somehow she's the preferred childcare provider for the LA Rams, the LA Chargers, and a meaningful slice of the Forbes 400. There's no SDR. There are no paid ads. She's not on LinkedIn. Every deal is referred or inbound. After 20 years. Rebecca Stewart is the founder of VIP Nannies. What she's built in high-end household staffing is the relationship-driven, niche-locked business most agency owners say they want and almost none actually build. This episode is how she got there — and what she'd tell a recruiter sitting in the wrong niche, or no niche at all. This episode is brought to you by Atlas — the AI-first recruitment platform that captures every candidate conversation and makes it searchable. Atlas customers report 40%+ EBITDA growth and 80%+ billings increase. Unlock your listener offer at recruitwithatlas.com The AI Recruiting Summit 2026 is back July 13-20. Free live sessions with recruiting engineers, operators, and tool-builders showing what's actually working. Register at https://ai-recruiting-summit-2026.heysummit.com/ Rebecca didn't plan this. Small California town, college basketball, Cal State Fullerton, then three months in the Peace Corps in Paraguay because her friends were getting master's degrees. She came home needing a job. A friend told her about a Bel Air nanny role. She interviewed. She was hired before she got home. She worked Friday through Monday for a year, then walked away because she wanted her weekends back. Inside a few weeks she'd researched every LA nanny agency, called her hometown bank for a loan, and started VIP Nannies at 23. The first family she met tried to hire her as their nanny. She declined and never sat down with a family again. Early on she chased anyone who could afford a nanny. Then she pulled up to a Beverly Hills Hotel event in her Honda Accord and realized she was at the wrong altitude. She read a marketing book, rewrote her pitch, raised her fees, and rebuilt the website. It took seven years for the pivot to fully show up. Today the business runs on relationships that compound for decades. The LA Rams reached out about childcare ten years ago after she sent a single congratulations message on LinkedIn — the only time she's used the platform. The Chargers came later. Most placements come from nannies calling her when a job ends. The episode pulls apart how — the fee structure that filters wrong clients, the $450 registration fee LA agencies wouldn't charge until she did, the six-month replacement guarantee, the nanny socials she runs to fight isolation. And the deeper thesis: there's a niche for everything. Find the one you'd run toward if nobody paid you, then learn to charge for it. If you're a recruiter stuck in a niche you fell into, this is the conversation that argues you can change that. What you'll learn: How a three-person team places 7 to 12 people a month with zero outboundThe Honda Accord moment that triggered Rebecca's seven-year pivot upmarketWhy a $450 registration fee filters better than any qualifying callThe single LinkedIn message that won the LA Rams account ten years agoHow to turn "do what you love" into a real business model in a recruiting nicheThe 12-minutes-for-12-days exercise Rebecca uses to find clarity on direction
Steve Forbes lays out some key proposals for President Trump and his economic team to juice the economy in 2026 and give Republicans an edge in the midterm elections.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes explains how Congressional Republicans can push back on Democrats' successful efforts to portray them as wrong on healthcare, achieve good results for the American people, and regain momentum as the midterms near.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes praises the new "Trump Accounts" and points to the $6.5 billion donation by Michael and Susan Dell to help fund those of 25 million American children.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes explains the complex and stark realities facing President Trump and his team in achieving a peace deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the Russia-Ukraine War.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes shreds the latest budget for the U.K., explaining why its raised taxes and ending of jury trials will accelerate the startling degeneration of the U.S.'s mother country, and warns that what's happening in Britain is a warning to those who cherish liberty.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes explains why the experience of the pilgrims could off a much-needed Thanksgiving lesson for NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani: that socialism doesn't work.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes breaks down why any Russia-Ukraine peace plan that leads to the domination of Ukraine by Russia will prove to be a false success, and would set in motion horrific consequences not only in Europe but Asia and the rest of the world.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes explains why the Main Street Deposited Protection Act, which would raise the FDIC insurance limit from $250,000 to $10 million, would expose taxpayers to enormous risk, eliminate crucial market discipline, and primarily benefit wealthy corporations rather than ordinary Americans.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes lays out an economic program that President Trump can employ to lower costs for American citizens and prevent a Republican routing in the 2026 midterms.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes warns of the ever-increasing nuclear threat posed by North Korea and its erratic dictator Kim Jong Un—and proposes putting nuclear weapons in key U.S. ally South KoreaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes explains why axing the FCC once and for all would be a huge win for free speech and a major step in protecting the First Amendment from government overreachSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes demands reform of the U.S.'s air traffic control system as the government shutdown, and many recent accidents, have shown its vulnerability—and calls for the system to be turned into an independent non-profit organization removed from politics.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes explains why the Federal Reserve must continue cutting rates despite Fed Chair Jerome Powell's hesitance to do so, warning that failure would cause the stock market's bull run to turn bearish. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes shares his unvarnished reaction to Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press briefing on Wednesday, calling out Powell's comments about a possible December rate cut and slamming the institution for remaining wedded to the false idea that prosperity causes inflation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes responds to the election victory for Argentinian President Javier Milei's party by pointing out that now world leaders have to finally understand the nature of inflation, and solve it before it leads to more social and economic destruction.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes praises the Thatcheresque inclinations of Japan's new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, which could help her nation dig out of its economic rut—but Forbes warns that she is still pursuing the same plans as before, which could ensure an economic crisis.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes warns that President Trump appears to be pushing a settlement with Russia that would jeopardize Ukraine's viability, and would jeopardize the free world—and urges the administration to change course and protect Ukraine's sovereignty.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes explains how Puerto Rico can once again become a pharmaceutical powerhouse and help achieve the much-needed goal of reshoring U.S. drug manufacturing.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes explains how Germany is an economic mess of its own making due to terrible energy policies, a massive welfare system, and a collapse in its work ethic—but if Chancellor Friedrich Merz looks to the example of legendary economist Ludwig Erhard, the nation could be put back on track.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes breaks down why Argentina's economic turmoil, and the shocking political crises facing its President Javier Milei, could spell serious trouble for the United States—and explains what President Trump must do fast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes breaks down why California's endless high speed rail boondoggle is even worse than people think, and why it needs to be scrapped yesterday.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes calls out the disgraceful educational practice known as "equity grading" which is contributing to the dumbing down of schools and students, and calls to restore teachers' power to control the classroom without fear of intimidating lawsuits, while making school administrators personally responsible for how well their schools perform.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes calls for a major overhaul in how GDP data is interpreted and released, urging the Trump Administration to make a crucial change as it reforms the BLS job growth statistical gathering.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes calls out the ugly crackdown on speech in Great Britain, pointing out the shocking arrests and convictions of people based on what they say online, and urges the U.K. to reverse course and take some inspiration from the U.S.'s First Amendment.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes slams the new guidance in Florida that ends all vaccine requirements for schoolchildren, warning of the crippling and lethal consequences to kids who don't get immunized for polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and more diseases.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
teve Forbes explains that in order to win peace in Ukraine and end Russia's war of aggression, the Trump Administration must supply Ukraine with greater while imposing tougher sanctions on Russia.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes looks to the historical example of "X"—the pseudonym of George F. Kennan, who advanced the policy of containment that helped serve as a North Star for U.S. foreign policy for decades—to argue that we now need a new guiding principle to take us safely through our present confused, dangerous times.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes explains why having a strong dollar is crucial for keeping the U.S. the most powerful nation in the world, and warns that those taken in by the siren call of a "weak dollar" are stoking real dangers.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes calls for Stephen Miran, President Trump's nominee for Federal Reserve Governor, to be asked how important he thinks i it is to have a dollar stable in value, and whether he believes that prosperity causes inflation—his answers could determine the future of the U.S. economy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes explains that President Trump is hardly the first Commander in Chief to battle the Federal Reserve, and until the central bank abandons its profoundly wrong philosophy, history is doomed to repeat itself.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes calls out Fed Chair Jerome Powell for "playing politics" on refusing to cut interest rates, which not only damages the economy but hurts the U.S. dollar.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes warns Republicans and policymakers in general that the failure to confront the immigration crisis through a measured approach that protects Americans and bolsters the economy could cause far-reaching irrevocable damage.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes warns that lost in the endless conversation about tariffs is the issue of the tax wedge, a calculation that shows the real distance between a consumer and the ability to purchase a product, and how the new levies imposed by President Trump will create barriers to business.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes explains that President Trump can take on the Federal Reserve in its intransigent refusal to cut rates: have the Treasury issue bonds in gold, which would provide a simple, everyday metric as to whether Washington is undermining the dollar's integrity or maintaining its value.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes lays out a tough set of proposals President Trump should immediately employ against Russia—including hardline sanctions, sending Ukraine major weapons, and freezing Russian assets—to finally end the invasion of Ukraine.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes calls out the Federal Reserve for its refusal to reduce interest rates due to its animus against President Trump, who attacks Chair Jerome Powell routinely—and explains why DOGE-like massive reforms are required to put the central bank back on course.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes shares his unvarnished reaction to the Federal Reserve's continued refusal to cut interest rates due to its absurd belief in the patently false premise that to control inflation, it must deliberately try to stimulate or depress economic activity.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes explains that in this extremely precarious geopolitical situation, President Trump must stay firm by backing Israel against Iran and Ukraine against Russia.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes makes the case to abolish or at least substantially reform the Congressional Budget Office, calling out the agency's consistent patterns of error that have consistently misled policymakers and thrown a wet blanket on economy-boosting tax cuts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes makes the case for privatizing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, a move that has just been proposed by President Trump.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes warns the U.S. Senate to remove the "Revenge Tax," an onerous markets-focused levy that would end up as Section 899 of the Federal Tax Code, from the Big Beautiful Bill currently being considered.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes explains that the trade war could get even worse if President Trump invokes a barely-known section of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which might obviate even the toughest court decisions blocking his hardline tariffs.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes explains why a new 3.5% levy on remittances in congressional Republicans' "Big Beautiful Bill" should be scrapped immediately—or we will see a sharp uptick in money laundering.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes explains how U.S. fecklessness could allow Vladimir Putin to pull off a victory in Ukraine—and warns that a successful act of aggression by Russia will only embolden China's expansionist aims.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes urges President Trump and his team to go back to following the Laffer Curve, economist Art Laffer's economic formula which fueled the American comeback of the 1980s and 1990s, in order to unleash today's economy and make a brighter future.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes explains how lawsuits against President Trump's tariffs will probably end up in the Supreme Court—and if modern history is instructive, the nation's highest court might end them sooner than anyone thinks.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Steve Forbes explains how the nearly catastrophic escalation in the conflict between India and Pakistan—thankfully averted due to a ceasefire engineered by the Trump Administration—demonstrates why the world is safer when the U.S. does not bend toward isolationism.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
As President Trump visits the Middle East, Steve Forbes urges his administration not to cool relations with Israel, and to green light an assault on all of Iran's nuclear facilities as soon as possible in order to bring about a more stable world.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.