Given that Rand held that values are rooted in the individual's struggle to survive, egoism follows naturally. As an ethical theory, egoism holds that the primary beneficiary of an action should be the actor. The primary goal of each individual should be to act to achieve personal happiness. The happiness of family and friends are important to the egoist, but only in so far as it gives pleasure in return. An important one in understanding that selfishness does not involve preying on others is independence.
Independence has two aspects.
Howard Roark, the hero of The Fountainhead, is the symbol of this. A final point about Rand's egoism is that it rejects the need for sacrifice.