Is it really good to succeed at a young age?

Great question, @busmark_w_nika. Funnily enough, I actually sold my startup at 21 and, for a minute, thought I was done. I spent two years traveling, ended up on national TV like ten times, on magazine covers, mentored a bunch of other startups… all the “success” checklist stuff.

Here’s the punchline: It didn’t take long to realize not doing anything, not building or learning, was actually way harder than the work itself. The buzz faded fast, and that sense of purpose was missing.

So I went back to creating things. Now I’m 36, still coding myself, still launching new stuff every year, honestly, even though I don’t have to. I do it because I need something engaging to wake up for, not because I’m trying to “make it” again.

I’ve found fulfillment in the work itself (and, weirdly, in starting over and failing sometimes). Early wins can be surreal, but the real challenge, and joy, is figuring out what actually keeps you going once you check some of those boxes.

The real question is: what do you choose to do when you don’t have to do anything?

We have limited time on the planet Earth. Everyone has different starting point and leverage. Not many know that Jeff Bezos got $300K from his father to start Amazon. How many of us have fathers who can give you that money?

Of course, Jeff is an excellent entrepreneur and he built a behemoth. But that's got nothing to do with his age. He was the right person at the right time and he knows business better than most.

If you succeed at a young age - congratulations. Enjoy your money, fame and experience the world differently. If you succeed late - that's okay too.

IMHO, success is all about being able to do what you truly love. Having financial freedom helps; but it's not the only thing.

The average age of successful founders is ~44 - 45.

PS: 30 under 30 is a joke. You can 'buy' your way into the 30/30 list.

Honestly, if you want to hit the peak of your career by 30 — you probably need to start at 12.

But let’s be real: getting there usually takes either perfect starting conditions or a lucky break.

The truth is, most super-young “success stories” are missing one key ingredient — the experience of screwing up.

No amount of money protects you from life’s punches. Learning how to bounce back from failure is way more valuable than people think — even though everyone tries to avoid it.

Wanting to get rich by 30, buy a yacht, and live the high life? That’s usually a dream for people chasing hacks, not for those who actually love what they do.
Why do so many wealthy and successful people hide their background and the advantages they inherited from their parents?

Because everyone will assume they made it using someone else’s — even if it’s their parents’ — resources.

Being rich and becoming even richer and more successful? That’s not impressive — there’s no story there.

But being a regular person and making it big? That’s real drama. That’s what people admire.

Great question, Nika. I think the real issue isn't age, it's defining success too narrowly.

The "work hard until 30 then coast" mentality treats success like a destination rather than a journey. When people optimize purely for financial exits or Forbes lists, they often miss the deeper satisfaction that comes from building something meaningful over time.

I've noticed the most fulfilled entrepreneurs I know aren't trying to "peak early," they're playing infinite games. They see each project as building skills, relationships, and understanding for the next challenge. Success becomes about growth and impact, not just achievement milestones.

The founder you mentioned from Loom probably felt lost because his identity was tied to that one outcome, not to the ongoing process of creating value.

Maybe the question isn't "when should I succeed?" but "what kind of success am I building toward?" Financial wins are great, but if they're not connected to purpose, health, and relationships, the victory can feel pretty hollow.

What's your take, are you feeling pressure to hit certain milestones by a certain age?

There isnt even real "money" today- it is worthless fiat. Every fiat has gone to zero in all of time. It is a RE-PRESENTATION of value.

So folks should stop focusing on a shadow.

Are you creating real value for people that you like? If so, you'll feel fulfillment most likely.

When I pick a ripe fruit for my son I don't feel like a slave in my garden. Because I love him, and because I control the garden and own its infrastructure.

Most people don't know what they want before they get rich, and don't know after. These are idiots.

Think first.

Nice question, Nika! :)

Years ago, I worked for media publications as a contributor and / or as a staff writer. I can assure the world Forbes is the last media company to trust. :P

In the PR world, we classify features into editorial and advertorial. Forbes lists are often mix of editorial and advertorial.

(disclaimer: my book was featured on Forbes, but through editorial coverage) :D

For me, success is, someone winning at life and work with integrity, meaning, simplicity and freedom of choice. Anyone who can achieve this in a young age, I am impressed of them. :)

When you reach the top at a young age, what's next?

• Turn to God.

• Help push humanity forward.

• Mentor others to get where you are.

• Continue practicing your craft to continue to serve unlike no one.

I worked for one of China's largest internet companies and reached management level, but gradually jumped to smaller but more important positions, to the point where I now have my own startup.

In almost ten years of working experience, I have found that the personal value generated by my work has become more and more important to me.

A screw in a factory is not as important as the roof of a log cabin.

Nika, you bring up very interesting topics to talk about. I think that when we're young, we try more things that are part of adult life, and sometimes something meaningful can come out of it. What do you think?

The 'get rich young' hustle culture is everywhere these days - but what's the cost? I've seen some teenager 'win' with seven-figure exits... only to realize they forgot to build a life along the way.

Financial freedom is amazing (who wouldn't want that?), but success looks different for everyone:

• Some want that Forbes 30 Under 30 spot

• Others prioritize family time or creative fulfillment

• Many just want stability without burnout

The real question might be: Freedom to do what? Because retiring at 30 sounds great until you're staring at your Tesla wondering '...now what?'

(Also: Let's be real - luck and privilege play massive roles in early success that no one talks about. ✨)

Success at a young age is often a story of catching the right wave at the right time in the right place.

I went through that experience myself, and for a while, I believed I could repeat it over and over again.

But it's not that simple.

I’ve learned that success isn't always linear - and sometimes, the deeper lessons come after the initial peak.

I actually share a lot about this journey — the ups and downs, the emotional “rollercoaster” - in the book I recently finished writing. It’s been quite a ride.

The entrepreneur friends I know have always had a strong determination to change the world's rules. For people with this trait, early success is a good thing—it allows them to fight against what they see as unreasonable much earlier in life.

But I have other friends who are driven by a mix of material desires and ambition—they want fame and money, and they do have some luck catching the right trends. But I have to say, early success might make them inflated.

So I have to say, premature success is simply a fact; whether it's good or bad depends on a person's character.

I prefer to work early and rest when I get older, I'll work till I'm 40 then retire

The real question might be, can we redefine success to include sustainability, health, and curiosity, not just speed and outcome? Because if you're not enjoying the journey, what are you really racing toward?

It's actually pretty good to succeed at a young age. That may be in Education, Career, their own Venture or some artistic endeavour. It gives anyone a pretty solid base to build the rest of their life own.

There are two extremely important points to note though

1. Early success should not be treated as the Finish line, but simply as a stepping stone. Stay hungry, stay foolish.

1. Early Failure should definitely not be treated as the Finish Line. Every failure is a simply a Start for another Journey and more often than not, what we see as failures end up being incredible lessons for the future. The dots only connect in hindsight.
   

Making it at 30 is really not realistic, 40 or 50 is quite reasonable

It's an important question and it all depends on your definition of success. The first question you should ask is what does success look like for you.

The fact you mention the Loom founder as an example tells me you adopted the definition of success of someone else.

In my sense, success shouldn't be solely defined by monetary value. It's your freedom. It's your ability to move around and discover. It's your ability to decide what your days, hours and minutes look like.

Once you have that defined, you'll realize it's an ever evolving goal and "reaching the top" doesn't exist.

The journey is the success.

This is a great question. I believe everyone needs to first understand what “success” truly means in their own heart. For me, as a product manager and entrepreneur, I’ve created products that have been used by tens of millions of users, and at that time, I felt I was successful.

But that doesn’t mean there are no new goals in the future. Now, I’m starting a new venture and pursuing different achievements.

I think each stage of life brings new pursuits and definitions of success. Whether young or old, as long as you still have dreams in your heart, you should keep moving forward and continue seeking your own value. Success is not an endpoint, but a process of ongoing growth and exploration.