It’s been offered to me a thousand times.

Including from people whose work I respect and love so much, I promote them voluntarily.

“You talk so much about our thing anyway. Why not make some money from it?”

I could. With almost no effort on my part. 

And yet, it’s always been a clear “no,” and the reason has always been so simple to me.

When I say something, my people trust 100% that that’s what I mean.

They don’t have to ever suspect that I have ulterior motivations. 

My word is worth more than anything in the world.

Especially in business.

If I lack money, I can go to work to make some more.

Once the 100% trust that people have in my word is broken, I have nothing, and that trust is almost impossible to win back.