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Warren Buffett might be the Oracle of Omaha, but more than that, he’s the unofficial spokesperson for Coca-Cola, chugging five cans of the stuff a day like it’s holy water. Seriously, if Coke had a loyalty program, he’d be platinum for life.
But his obsession isn’t just about the sugar rush. It runs deeper, straight into his bank account.
Buffett’s first gig was schlepping Coke bottles door-to-door. Yep, before he was making billions with Berkshire Hathaway, he was basically the world’s youngest beverage distributor. That little hustle helped him stack enough dough to become a millionaire by 32 (which is like $10 million in today’s money, give or take a few Teslas).
So what’s his secret sauce? Forget all those 10-step YouTube hustle tutorials, because here’s some plain-spoken advice:
“Figure out what your strengths are and then pick the right people and don’t be afraid of making mistakes,” he told CBS News.
Not exactly “drop-ship your way to riches”, but hey, coming from Buffett, it hits different. Especially for Gen Z, who’ve had a rougher go of things. Pandemic chaos, job market mood swings, and an older generation expecting them to work like robots while being paid in exposure. Still, those who can turn lemons (or layoffs) into lemonade might just come out ahead.
The golden nugget there is that the company you keep can make you or break your bank account.
Buffett’s been preaching for decades that the people you surround yourself with matter. A lot. He’s got a simple litmus test for potential partners: brains, hustle, and a moral compass that isn’t broken. Miss one and you’re out.
And he’s got zero patience for fixer-uppers:
“Marrying someone to change them is crazy, and hiring somebody to change them is just as crazy,” he said to Fortune in 2014. “And becoming partners with them to change them is crazy.”
In other words, if someone’s a walking red flag, you can’t paint it green with hope and good intentions.
Now take Charlie Munger, Buffett’s right-hand man, tag-team partner, and ultimate business BFF. The two built an empire that lasted decades, fueled by brutal honesty, mutual respect, and an ability to challenge each other’s thinking without taking it personally.
“Every time I’m with Charlie, I’ve got at least some new slant on an idea that causes me to rethink certain things,” Buffett said to CNBC. “We’ve had so much fun in the partnership over the years.”
It wasn’t just business, it was brain chemistry with a billion-dollar payout.
And Buffett once called Munger “part older brother, part loving father.” I know, right? Try finding that dynamic on LinkedIn.
On the flip side? Look no further than Sam Bankman-Fried. The dude went from crypto king to courtroom regular faster than you can say “blockchain.” Sure, customers are supposed to get their money back, but the trust has been vaporised. That’s what happens when you bet on the wrong co-pilot.
All this advice is good and well, but the truth is that the road to millions isn’t one-size-fits-all. If selling fizzy drinks door-to-door sounds like a drag, don’t stress. There’s more than one way to crack the millionaire code. And please, bros, that does not include killing your mother for an insurance payout.
Here’s the kicker: In true Buffett style, he once joked that the best way to become a millionaire is to be born rich.
But when it comes to real-world, non-nepo baby advice, he’s got one timeless truth:
“Invest in yourself.”
In other words, bet on your own brilliance. If you do it with a cold Coke in hand, Buffett will doubly approve.
[Source: Fortune]
