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Another cousin told him about her plan to open a store. She had neither market research nor a specific budget, but she knew exactly how much she wanted Michel to invest. A childhood friend asked him to call someone“ in a position of influence” on behalf of his son.
Then came Samuel.
Samuel was twenty-six years old. Unlike the others, he didn’ t ask for money.
“ How did you do it?” Michel smiled.“ How did I do what?”
“ To go from where we grew up to what you’ re doing today. What degrees? What software? How did you find your first clients? How did you set your prices? What mistakes did you make?”
For the first time that evening, Michel seemed slightly uncomfortable.
He answered vaguely.
— You know, everyone has their own path. You just have to work hard.
Samuel pressed him.— That’ s exactly what I want to do— work. I’ d like to learn your trade.
Flashmag! Edition 176 Septembre 2026
Michel changed the subject.
A few months later, Samuel heard from an acquaintance that Michel was hiring a young consultant. He sent in his resume. He never heard back.
What’ s interesting about this story isn’ t that Michel is a bad person. He probably isn’ t. He regularly helps his family. He pays for plane tickets. He attends funerals. He sometimes pays for education. He lends money that isn’ t always repaid.
But there’ s a fundamental difference between helping someone benefit from your success and helping them build their own.
And that’ s precisely where our paradox begins.
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