How did you make your money?

Question

Only a question to those who have made a substantial amount of money. (How do you know if you made a substantial amount of money, If you go month to month checking your bank account to make sure you don't over spend, you are not making a substantial amount of money).

What steps did you take to make your money. Was it hard arduous work? Did you get lucky?

Please state the industry you were successful in and why you think you have been financially successful in your life (like what elements prove to an outsider that you have been financially successful. Trying to weed out those who like to give advice but don't follow it).

Answer 1

Real estate, owning multiple businesses, long hours and a lot of hard work.  My goal was to retire at 35, but the stock market crash in '87 set me back 3 years, so I can't say that was a terribly successful means of being financially independent for me.  

Answer 2

it's called a job. and i've worked my a s s off to get what i have