Is the American Dream Still Alive?

Almost a century ago, in the midst of one of the darkest times this country has ever seen, writer James Truslow Adams concretized the idea of the American Dream with his eternal words:

That dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to his ability or achievement

Today, the American Dream finds itself at a crossroads. Since the start of this year, the nation faces a renewed focus on economic nationalism, reshoring manufacturing, and protectionist trade policies. The American Dream—that cherished belief that anyone, regardless of origin, can achieve success through hard work and determination—requires rejuvenation, reinvention, and revitalization in this changing economic landscape.

The American Dream is an Ever-Shifting Paradigm

The idea of the American Dream dates back more than two and a half centuries to the Declaration of Independence, which states unequivocally that all men are created equal and have an inalienable right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

While the original idea—even in Adams’ times—was more focused on liberty, equality and democracy, there has always been an unmistakable undercurrent of gaining material wealth and upward social mobility. As early as the 18th century, John Murray, colonial governor of Virginia, noted that “If Americans attained paradise, they would move on if they heard of a better place farther west.”

Over the last century, the traditional interpretation of the American Dream—owning a home, securing stable employment, and providing better opportunities for one’s children—has gradually evolved.

Today’s dream reflects modern realities: entrepreneurial opportunity, adaptability, and the possibility of creating wealth through innovation versus climbing traditional corporate ladders.

2025: A Mixed but Bold Economic Picture

Not very long ago, a Pew Research survey found that just over half of all Americans believed in the American Dream. Understandably, people who were older, wealthier, better educated, and earning a higher income were more positive and hopeful than the ones who weren’t. Young Americans tend to believe the cards are stacked against them and it’s much more difficult for them to achieve success than previous generations.

The economic landscape today reflects the dichotomies in our collective thoughts and approaches to pursuing the dream. On one hand, unemployment remains relatively low, and wage growth continues in skilled sectors. The stock market has maintained resilience despite trade tensions, benefiting investors and retirement accounts. Conversely, housing affordability remains a significant challenge in many metropolitan areas, and economic gains haven’t been distributed equally across geographic regions or demographic groups.

The Trump administration has introduced significant tariffs on imported goods, particularly from China and other manufacturing competitors. These protectionist policies aim to revitalize American manufacturing, but they’ve created a complex economic environment with potential winners as well as losers.

The manufacturing landscape shows signs of revival in certain sectors. Tariffs have encouraged some businesses to reshore production, particularly in steel, automotive parts, and electronics. The “Made in America” resurgence has created pockets of manufacturing growth in the Midwest and South.

However, this revival comes with nuance. While some manufacturing jobs are returning, many are now automated, requiring fewer but more skilled workers. Companies balancing higher domestic production costs have accelerated automation investments, creating a demand for technically skilled labor as opposed to traditional manufacturing roles.

Small and medium-sized manufacturers serving domestic markets will find new opportunities, but businesses reliant on global supply chains could face significant challenges from higher input costs and retaliatory tariffs.

The Entrepreneurial Playground: Where Hope Persists

Among entrepreneurs, optimism prevails. The startup ecosystem continues to thrive, with venture capital flowing into technology, healthcare, and green energy innovations. Despite economic uncertainties, entrepreneurship rates remain robust, suggesting that many Americans still believe in creating their own opportunities.

For entrepreneurs, today’s American Dream manifests as the freedom to chart one’s own course, build something meaningful, and potentially achieve financial independence outside traditional employment structures.

The current economic landscape, while complex, has created a fertile environment for founders who can identify needs and rapidly develop solutions. The combination of technological advancement, changing consumer priorities, and America-first economic focus has opened new frontiers for entrepreneurial exploration. Rather than a single, prescribed path to success, there are now countless routes for those willing to create their own opportunities.

For those seeking to capitalize on this all-new American Dream, there are a few things you can do that will put you on the right path.

Embrace adaptability: The most successful entrepreneurs recognize that economic conditions, regulations, and market demands will continue to shift. Building adaptable business models is essential.
Focus on domestic markets: With tariffs raising the costs of international business, companies focusing on serving domestic needs may find more immediate opportunities.
Invest in automation and upskilling: The future belongs to those who can leverage technology while developing specialized skills that complement rather than compete with automation.
Explore manufacturing niches: Smaller, specialized manufacturing businesses serving domestic markets may find new opportunities as larger competitors struggle with supply chain disruptions.
Connect with communities: The businesses that thrive often root themselves in community needs, building loyal customer bases less affected by global economic shifts.

A striking example comes to mind right away—our partner Charlie Ramshaw, CEO of RamClean, is living the American Dream every day. He spares no effort in building it, shaping it, and polishing it with his own hands. The willingness to put in the daily grind and unflinching determination to never give up has helped him grow the family cleaning business he started in his garage to $15+ million in revenue in two years flat!

Revitalizing the American Dream

All said and done, there is no taking away the inherent strengths of the US of A—education, demographics, geographic resources, and agriculture. While the path to prosperity may look different than it did for previous generations, opportunity persists for those willing to adapt to changing economic realities. The entrepreneurial spirit continues to drive innovation and wealth creation, even as traditional pathways narrow.

For the American Dream to thrive in this new environment, we must adapt it to encompass multiple definitions of success and create more pathways to opportunity. The Dream’s endurance ultimately depends not on a single set of policies or administration, but on America’s continued ability to reinvent itself and generate new possibilities for those willing to pursue them.

To ensure the American Dream remains accessible to more people, local governments and communities can come together to take some fundamental, long-term steps:

Rethink education and training: Traditional four-year degrees aren’t the only path to success. Expanding vocational training, coding bootcamps, and apprenticeship programs can create alternative routes to prosperity.
Bridge the rural-urban divide: The economic opportunities of major cities must be extended to rural and post-industrial regions through infrastructure investment and remote work opportunities.
Address housing affordability: Without accessible housing, core aspects of the American Dream remain out of reach. Zoning reform and innovative housing models can help.
Reduce barriers to entrepreneurship: Simplifying regulations for small businesses and expanding access to capital, particularly for underrepresented groups, can democratize opportunity.

America’s strength has never stemmed from calm waters or easy paths. Rather, it flows from our remarkable ability to unite despite differences when challenges demand collective action. Look around and you’ll see unmistakable evidence of American productivity and innovation surging forward.

Entrepreneurs continue launching bold ventures, creating jobs, and solving problems with characteristic ingenuity. The American Dream—that promise of opportunity and advancement through hard work—remains achievable for those willing to pursue it with determination.

If you’re an entrepreneur or business owner who believes in the American Dream and wants to take it forward, we’d love to help you out on your journey with some simple funding options—get in touch for a quick chat!

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