Not many, I can tell you that

“A life well-lived is not measured by how many people remember you, but how deeply you are remembered by the ones who truly matter.”

When I think about the people I enjoy being around most, the answer is simple. I’m drawn to depth, not volume.

I’ve never been someone who needed a large circle of friends or constant social activity. I don’t thrive in crowds, and I’ve never felt the need to collect relationships just to say I have them. What has always mattered to me is connection — real connection. The kind built on trust, shared values, and mutual respect.

From a young age, I gravitated toward a small handful of people rather than a wide social net. I was never worried about following the crowd or keeping up appearances. If a relationship didn’t have substance, I didn’t feel the need to force it. And honestly, I never felt like I was missing anything.

I prefer people who are grounded. People who say what they mean and mean what they say. People who don’t play games, don’t keep score, and don’t operate with hidden agendas. I’ve spent enough years in business and in life to know that authenticity is rare — and when you find it, you protect it.

Over the years I’ve attended funerals where the room was packed with distant relatives, old classmates, casual acquaintances. It’s natural to pause and wonder: Should I have kept in touch with more people? Should I have expanded my circle? But every time I’ve asked myself that question, I come back to the same answer. No. I’ve invested my time where it meant the most.

I’ve always believed relationships should be balanced. If a friendship becomes one-sided — if it’s constantly about what I can give without shared effort or shared care — I’m comfortable letting it fade. Not out of anger. Not out of ego. Just out of respect for time. Time is the one asset none of us gets more of, and I’ve never wanted to spend mine chasing validation or maintaining connections out of obligation.

Some people love big social networks. That’s fine. I respect it. It’s just not me.

Give me a few people who are loyal. Give me conversations that go beyond surface talk. Give me laughter that isn’t forced and advice that isn’t sugar-coated. Give me people who show up consistently, not just when it’s convenient.

I also value people who are still growing. I enjoy being around those who are curious, still learning, still evolving. Energy matters. Engagement matters. I don’t want to be around people who have mentally checked out of life. I’m drawn to those who still care, still build, still improve — whether that’s in business, health, faith, or personal character.

The older I get, the clearer this becomes: love and friendship are not measured in numbers. They’re measured in depth. It’s not about how many people know your name. It’s about who would truly feel your absence.

I’d rather have a small table filled with meaningful conversation than a large room filled with noise.

I’d rather invest deeply than scatter myself thin.

Quality over quantity isn’t just a business principle. It’s a life principle.

And if that means my circle is smaller, I’m perfectly fine with that.