No, money generates money, that was very true early after fleet carriers introduction.
Set up a buy order for mined commodities close to a mining location, once filled up, jump carrier to a system where prices for such commodities were good.
Either sell yourself, or set up a sell order securing you a nice profit, but still attractive enough for others to move goods off your carrier.
Bulk trading is still profitable, mining is profitable, if you have high reputation with a faction, you will get offered valuable wing missions.
There are game loops that offer high payout, say passenger missions from Robigo, or high intensity on-foot conflict zones, just to name a few.
Carrier owners often try to avoid tritium loading themselves, and some are offering silly profit for those who are ready to move tritium from station to a carrier.
These days probably 15-20k per ton with demand going into thousands, but it used to be a lot more as I remember.
These requests are getting fullfilled so there is constant demand/supply of service.
