Quote from BOSS_HOG:
Right, to each his own, BUT the reason the fund manager takes investor money is to make a far more substantial income than he could as a prop trader, proven that his strategy is scalable.
The better traders, for the most part, say the hell with prop trading, I can make way more as a fund manager!!! I know you are trying to sell the dream- trade with Bright, use our capital, etc, but come on man, be realistic. Hedge funds are the biggest money making area of finance- does Eddie Lampert ring a bell??
To say that fund managers are trying to make their funds "legitimate"by borrowing money is wrong. They are legitimized when an investor performs due dilligence and deposits a nice chunk of change in the fund. You make it sound like fund managers are guys who can't trade, so they decide to just milk the management fee. Maybe some do, but not the majority....If they couldn't trade, they would be out of business very quickly.
Many fund managers/ traders do start out as prop guys to build a track record first, you are right there. However, some of your other statements make seem like you are pushing people to trade prop (at Bright maybe?? 
).
Don't ever believe that trading prop is easy boys and girls!! Consider who you are trading against, plus the fact that the equity market is over-saturated- try futures, options or FX for some real fun!!!
Let's take a step back, and "pretend" that any hidden agenda or conspiracy is non-existent....and, for sake of discussion, that I am "selling" only what I truly believe are the best tools for success in this business (money, market access, and training by serious professionals), and then take one more "leap" and realize that I was in the same boat as many newer traders a while back. My brother and I took advantage of the "tools" (capital) provided by SLK (GS), and the education of successful traders on the trading floor to get to where we were a while back.
We now are able to offer these same tools, and are able to do so without our traders having to buy exchange memberships (as we had to do "back in the day"). Some will make a success out of trading, and some won't...but either way, their odds for success are greatly enhanced by the above (use of capital, market access, and professional training by those who actually "do" rather than just "teach").
Do we make money from BT, absolutely (who would want to throw their hat in a ring of losers?), do we work 250 hours per month to make our family business successful, yes we do (and we couldn't or wouldn't if we didn't enjoy what we do). We certainly don't need to fund a retirement account, but on the other hand, we want our successors to be able to carry on the marquee that we have worked so hard to grow over the years.
Back to topic...yes, there are a "very few" fund guys who are successful, granted....but there are many (many) more successful traders who are able to expand their financial horizons with BT and other successful groups. And, as I said: "to each his/her own" - I chose not to be an "employee" with all the risks involved, as do my successful traders....independence is a wonderful thing (and it's even better with a few bucks in the bank).
(BTW, in case you don't know it, we have several hedge fund groups in the BT family, and have some BT traders who operate outside the BT family for such purposes). I just like those interested in trading for a living to know the alternatives available.
And, again you speak the truth "trading is not easy"...I concur, but if you're going to do it anyway, why not do it right? (And, yes, BT is only 1 viable option, there are obviously a few others).
All the best, Boss....trade well!!
Don
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