You may have heard of the programme The Secret Millionaire, where a ridiculously wealthy person gets involved with the lives of those who don’t know he’s rich and able to give them much more than they could ever imagine. He doesn’t make himself known as the richest person they’re ever likely to meet, but he works alongside them, getting to know them. They get to trust him, they don’t know his real purpose behind being with them and at the end, he amazes them by blessing them. They can’t believe that someone would want to give them so much.

I know someone like that. He’s a great investor. He doesn’t always show up himself at first, but sends his own people out to work alongside those that need a helping hand. Most of his work goes unseen, but people get the benefit of his knowledge and interest in their welfare. He’s a philanthropist some would say, because he’s got a love of humankind in general. He’s not interested in what class people come from, whether they’ve got good looks, stacks of money or whether their language is a little ‘ripe’ at times. He knows all that sort of stuff is just the rendering on the building, and being a great investor, he knows some buildings need total renovation before they can be put to good use. He’s like that with people. Some people you just have to knock them back to their foundations and start again but the investment in time and effort is worth it.

So, this secret millionaire has been investing in me and my business for years. He’s totally involved in everything about my business, including the people that work with me. I could retire tomorrow if he decided to give me a windfall, but he knows that I’m not that good with doing nothing and my motivation each day is the work I do for him, so without that, I think I’d end up feeling pretty useless. I’m happy to be working at my business and taking his advice and seeing his investment in me and my business grow.

His greatest investment is in people. He doesn’t see them as a commodity, something to be exploited and used, but as an investment in the future. Everything he teaches his people kind of trains up the next generation of workers. Unfortunately, there have been quite a number of people that want what he’s got but aren’t prepared to come into partnership with him. They want quick fixes, they don’t believe in investing in people as such, they just want what people can get for them. A lot of the time this secret millionaire gets a lot of flack for the way he works – he’s either too slow, or doesn’t do things the way others think they should be done. He’s big enough to take that kind of criticism. He’s heard it all before so there’s nothing that has been said or can be said about him that can phase him. That’s why I’m so glad he’s behind my business.

The funny thing is, once you get to know him, you realise his wealth and what he can do for you kind of fade into the background. You’re just so pleased to know him and how he makes you feel about yourself (and others) that you kind of forget he’s the wealthiest person you’re ever going to meet. He’s not some stuffy, unapproachable kind of guy who makes you take your shoes off just to come into his house or expects you to put on heirs and graces. He just wants you to relax when you’re around him, be yourself and allow him to advise you on the changes that need to be made. He doesn’t leave you to sort things out on your own, but he doesn’t take over either. He kind of walks you through things, giving you suggestions and coaxes you on. If you do muck up, he’s there to help pick up the pieces, but most of all he wants to be involved with you and for you to ask for his advice and help and not expect him to do it all. He’s ready to invest in you.

I’d be happy to introduce you to the secret investor who’s turned my life and my business around. I kind of feel that I’d be greedy if I didn’t. You only have to ask…