As for self made whale is totally fair in #steemit community from my perspective, because in Steemit is like a platform for people include public or close relation to invest into author that can provide good content to become an great influencer in Steemit and make some dollars.
Just like MTV trying sign up an artists but in a centralized way but today with blockchain able to provide sign up by decentralized which means public community with great Capital behind (Hard Cash or Steem Earned) can sign up any Authors by follow and upvote their post. So is public sign up, joint momentum from public to vote for best content.
I believe everything require foundation, if today an author did not go through the determination of producing quality content and consistency process, would not have great fan base and generate any profit.
This apply to curator Whales also as any whales without Steemit knowledge only know how to self upvoting definately cannot compare to #whales that have foundation of authors they haven been supporting to be compare in amount of profit generated. Eg: 100k to run a new business yes you might profit from this business but to be compare to business owner that been running the business to run another branch would be much more easier because of the foundation and experience. (so is fine for somebody started wealthier compare to others)
To be self made whales only advantages is this whales can quickly create awareness in our community as big buck guy but not resourceful guy like slow build whales that can provide guidance to many minnows/dolphin besides money concern.
Hope you can understand my broken english βοΈ