I've always heard the metaphor as encouraging people to "sell shovels during the gold rush", to get into the market of supporting tools and equipment.

But if everyone's selling shovels because it's easier than digging for gold.. It's an oversaturated market - perhaps we should be encouraging people to "dig for gold", to search for something that produces original value, rather than be in the market of derived value.

Except there is no gold and the only opportunities is the next persons 2000 dollar seminar on why you aren't succeeding which they then use to network with other individuals who sell them on their 100,000 opportunity.

You'd be better of hiring people with little to no experience than someone who was taught by these gurus.