I’m a self-made millionaire – this is the biggest money mistake I’ve ever survived


Achieving significant wealth is the kind of thing we all dream of, especially when we can achieve it on our own.

Every self-made millionaire knows what that feeling of empowerment feels like. And they also know what it’s like to face difficult challenges and successfully come out on the other side.

GOBankingRates spoke with Daniel Meursing, CEO and founder of Premier Staff, to discuss the biggest money mistake he made and how he survived. He below shares his story of strength, perseverance and acquired wisdom.

The mistake: putting all your eggs in one basket

“As CEO of Premier Staff, a leading event staffing agency that has worked with high-profile clients such as Bentley, Ferrari, Louis Vuitton and the Oscars, I have experienced my fair share of financial challenges on the road to success.” Meursing said.

“My journey from loan officer at EZ Fundings Home Loans to self-made millionaire has been marked by triumphs and setbacks, and one mistake in particular stood out as the most difficult obstacle I had to overcome.

“In the early days of creating Premier Staff, I made the mistake of not diversifying my client base. “I had landed a lucrative contract with a major entertainment company and I put all my resources into serving this one client,” he explained.

“I was excited to work with such a high-profile organization and assumed this partnership would be the foundation of my success.

“However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the entertainment industry came to a screeching halt and my largest client was forced to cancel all of their events indefinitely.

“Suddenly, I found myself without a steady stream of income and the future of my business was at stake. “I had put all my eggs in one basket and now I was faced with the consequences of my lack of foresight.”

Facing the challenge head-on

“As I watched my savings dwindle and my debt rise, I knew I had to take decisive action,” Meursing said.

“I reached out to my network of contacts in the industry, leveraging the relationships I had built over the years to gain new clients and diversify my income streams. I also took a hard look at my expenses, cutting non-essential costs and renegotiating contracts with suppliers to minimize my overhead.

“It was a humbling experience, but I refused to let this setback define me. I put my heart and soul into rebuilding my business, working tirelessly to expand my customer base and strengthen my financial foundation.

“Slowly but surely, Premier staff began to recover and I emerged from this challenging period with a renewed sense of purpose and resilience.”

How These Lessons Shaped My Success

“As I look back on this experience, I realize that it taught me some of the most valuable lessons of my business journey,” Meursing added.

“First of all, he highlighted the importance of diversification. No matter how promising a single opportunity may seem, it is essential to spread risk and cultivate multiple streams of income to weather any storm.

“Second, it reinforced the value of adaptability and innovation. When faced with a crisis, those who are willing to pivot and think creatively are the ones who survive and thrive. By embracing change and exploring new avenues for growth, I was able to not only recover from this setback but also position my company for even greater success in the future.

“Ultimately, this experience taught me the power of perseverance. Wealth creation is not a linear journey and setbacks are an inevitable part of the process. What separates those who achieve their dreams from those who do not achieve them is the willingness to keep going, even in the face of adversity.”

“By staying focused on my goals and refusing to give up, I was able to overcome this challenge and come out stronger than ever.”

Gain a wealth of wisdom

“Today, as a self-made millionaire and successful CEO, I often reflect on this pivotal moment in my journey,” Meursing said. “It serves as a reminder that our greatest challenges can often be our greatest opportunities for growth and transformation.

“By leveraging the lessons I learned from this setback, I have been able to build a thriving business and a fulfilling life, based on resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to my dreams.”

For anyone facing a similar challenge on their path to financial success, Meursing offered this simple advice:

“Keep going. Embrace the lessons that setbacks can offer you and use them as fuel to propel you toward your goals. With hard work, determination and a willingness to learn from your mistakes, there is no limit to what you can achieve.”

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