There were lots of examples of "better to ask for forgiveness as a rich person than permission as a poor person", that they saw. Tech companies entered finance, taxi-driving, health-advice-dispensing, etc. and didn't fall into line with existing laws and regulations for years, until after they got rich.

They were, no question, incorrect, but if you're wanting to believe it could work (because you really wanted to get rich), you could convince yourself of it.