Money is a poor indicator of success.
Have fun do good and the money will come
If you don't make bold moves, the world doesn't move forward.
The quality of business communications has become poorer in recent years as people avoid phone calls and face-to-face meetings, I can only assume, in some misguided quest for efficiency.
Be the best at what you do
The first thing to look for when searching for a great employee is somebody with a personality that fits with your company culture. Most skills can be learned, but it is difficult to train people on their personality.