My First Million
The best business ideas come from noticing what's working and doing it better, faster, or for a different audience.
Sexier Business, Lower ROI Principle
A career selection rule stating that the more attractive or glamorous an industry appears, the lower the financial returns for most participants
How It Works
Attractive industries (fashion, arts, sports, entertainment) draw massive talent pools competing for limited high-paying positions, driving down average compensation while increasing competition
Components
Identify industries that seem glamorous or emotionally appealing
Research actual employment rates and median incomes in those fields
Compare to less sexy industries with 90%+ employment rates
Choose the boring industry and pursue passion as a weekend activity
When to Use
When choosing career paths, evaluating industry entry, or advising young professionals on career strategy
When Not to Use
When you have clear evidence of being in the top 0.1% of talent in a sexy field, or when non-financial factors (purpose, passion after mastery) outweigh income considerations
Anti-Patterns to Avoid
Example
“A talented athlete realizes they're not in the top 0.1% needed to make a living from sports. Instead of pursuing professional athletics, they enter finance or technology and play sports recreationally, achieving both financial security and athletic enjoyment.”