I think the parent's sentence structure is a bit confusing, but I read that as: "The problem is, that while in many cases working hard (as in building up a sta

I think the parent's sentence structure is a bit confusing, but I read that as: "The problem is, that while in many cases working hard (as in building up a startup) does indeed give people the opportunity to rise in society, it is not true in all cases at all; so the negative statement 'if you are struggling you didn't try enough' is completely flawed." i.e. the problem is that hard work does not always (or even not often) equal success in society.