Michael Lee-Chin Quotes

Powerful Michael Lee-Chin for Daily Growth

About Michael Lee-Chin

Michael Lee-Chin, O.J. (Order of Jamaica), is a prominent businessman, philanthropist, and art collector, born on February 18, 1951, in Kingston, Jamaica. Raised by his grandparents after the early death of both parents, Lee-Chin's early life was marked by adversity, which fueled his determination to succeed. After completing high school in Jamaica, he moved to Canada in 1970 to pursue a degree in economics at York University. Upon graduation, he began working for the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), rising through the ranks to become its Chairman and CEO of CIBC Wood Gundy. Lee-Chin's business acumen led him to found and lead several successful investment firms, including AIC Limited and Portland Holdings Inc. His investments in various sectors, particularly real estate, have earned him a net worth estimated at over $2 billion. In addition to his financial success, Lee-Chin is known for his philanthropy. He has donated millions to educational institutions, hospitals, and cultural organizations in Jamaica, Canada, and the United States. Notably, he established the Michael Lee-Chin Family Foundation, which focuses on initiatives in education, healthcare, and the arts. As a passionate art collector, Lee-Chin owns one of the world's largest collections of contemporary African and Caribbean art. His collection has been exhibited at various museums, including the National Gallery of Canada and the National Museum of African Art in Washington D.C. Quotes by Michael Lee-Chin reflect his philosophy of hard work, self-improvement, and giving back: "Success is not about money. Success is about impact." And "Everyone has a responsibility to give back to their community." These words embody the spirit of his life and work.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Success is a journey, not a destination."

This quote emphasizes that success is not an end point to be reached but rather a continuous process or journey. It suggests that the pursuit of success is more important than the achievement itself, as personal growth, learning, and experiences along the way contribute significantly to one's overall success. The focus should be on continually striving, improving, and adapting throughout one's life, rather than solely fixating on reaching a specific goal or destination.


"Believe in yourself, for that alone will conquer fear."

This quote encourages self-belief as a powerful tool to overcome fear. In other words, having faith in one's own abilities can help conquer the feelings of apprehension or anxiety that often hinder personal growth and success. It suggests that when we believe in ourselves, we gain the confidence needed to face challenges and seize opportunities with courage.


"The greatest investment you can make is an investment in yourself."

This quote emphasizes the significance of personal growth and development as a crucial investment, comparable to financial investments. It implies that investing time, effort, and resources into one's own education, skills, and character is the most profitable endeavor one can undertake. The idea is that self-investment leads to increased knowledge, abilities, and self-worth, which in turn open up opportunities for personal and professional success. Essentially, it underscores the belief that a well-rounded, empowered individual is best equipped to navigate life's challenges and achieve their goals.


"Your net worth reflects your self-worth only if you are the one who created it."

This quote suggests that the measure of a person's personal value should be determined by their own efforts and accomplishments, rather than relying on external factors such as wealth or possessions. It implies that true self-worth comes from within, through hard work, determination, and personal growth, not from financial assets accumulated through inherited wealth or other means beyond one's control. Essentially, it encourages individuals to focus on building their own value rather than comparing themselves to others.


"You don't get rich renting houses; you get rich owning houses."

This quote emphasizes a fundamental principle in wealth creation through real estate investment. The difference lies not in merely leasing properties, but in acquiring ownership. Ownership provides the potential for long-term appreciation of asset value, passive income generation, and tax benefits, which can accumulate wealth over time. It highlights the importance of building a real estate portfolio as an effective strategy for financial growth.


I wouldn't have become an engineer, I wouldn't have done what I did, had a hand not been held out to me. I have to remember who helped me when I needed help. The people of Jamaica helped me. I can't forget that. I would be ungrateful if I forgot.

- Michael Lee-Chin

Been, Needed, Held, Forgot

The philosophy to 'buy and hold' is a philosophy that I use to manage funds.

- Michael Lee-Chin

Philosophy, Buy, Use, Funds

Life is not linear; you have ups and downs. It's how you deal with the troughs that defines you.

- Michael Lee-Chin

How, Deal, Linear, Ups

You can't look at the intrinsic value of gold as you can a business. Gold doesn't give you cash flow, and, at the end of the day, cash flow is what is important. Gold doesn't give you dividends.

- Michael Lee-Chin

Business, Give, Intrinsic, Flow

Gold is a commodity; over the long run, as we look back, it has not been a good investment. You can't look at the intrinsic value of gold as you can a business. Gold doesn't give you cash flow, and, at the end of the day, cash flow is what is important. Gold doesn't give you dividends.

- Michael Lee-Chin

Back, Been, Commodity, Flow

The mantra of the National Commercial Bank is 'building a better Jamaica.' If this bank is going to be everlastingly successful, it has to take on the ailments of this society.

- Michael Lee-Chin

Commercial, Going, Mantra, Jamaica

Doing business in Jamaica is not easy, but it is rewarding.

- Michael Lee-Chin

Business, Doing, Rewarding, Jamaica

I wouldn't be where I am, if not for Jamaica. My formative years were here. I wouldn't have the confidence that I have if I wasn't born here, because growing up here I knew I could become anybody I wanted to become. There was no ceiling on top of me.

- Michael Lee-Chin

Here, Years, Anybody, Jamaica

I'm making a case against how money managers are handling customers' money. The objective of the customer is not being met if the fund managers are diversifying their assets into hundreds of businesses. If they do this, they are typically performing close to the indexes. But that's not the way wealth is created.

- Michael Lee-Chin

How, Against, Objective, Managers

The objective of the customer is not being met if the fund managers are diversifying their assets into hundreds of businesses. If they do this, they are typically performing close to the indexes. But that's not the way wealth is created.

- Michael Lee-Chin

Wealth, Performing, Created, Managers

If people perceive themselves as having very little opportunities to be fulfilled, then it cheapens their life and outlook. The solution is to reverse it; make sure they know opportunities abound.

- Michael Lee-Chin

Very, Abound, Having, Outlook

I didn't generate my success by being a prognosticator. I developed my reputation building our businesses by building great businesses and making them more efficient.

- Michael Lee-Chin

More, Making, Efficient, Generate

From an early age my mother told me that there were so many of us that if I was to get anything in life I would have to get it myself. So I did.

- Michael Lee-Chin

Life, Myself, Many, Early

My first playpen was a cardboard box.

- Michael Lee-Chin

Box, First, Cardboard, Cardboard Box

My wealth came from growing businesses. I had wealth, but not liquidity. Basically I transferred illiquid shares of AIC for liquid shares of Manulife. Now I'm the biggest individual shareholder of Manulife.

- Michael Lee-Chin

Wealth, Had, Transferred, Shares

Private equity has been the purview of super wealthy individuals and institutions.

- Michael Lee-Chin

Private, Institutions, Super, Equity

You must look like a money person for clients to trust you.

- Michael Lee-Chin

Trust, Money, Like, Clients

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