Forbes 30 Under 30

Here in my apartment, just got this new Hot Wheels here. It’s given me countless hours of fun and imaginary play time. 🙂

But you know what I like more than materialistic things? Knowledge. In fact, I’m a lot more proud of my library card, which gives me access to tens of thousands of books. It’s like the billionaire Warren Buffett says, “the more you learn, the more you earn.”

Now maybe you’ve read my post where I talk about how I read at least one financial news article everyday. You know, I read an article a day not to show off. It’s again about the knowledge. In fact, the real reason I keep this Hot Wheels here is that it’s a reminder. A reminder that dreams are still possible, because it wasn’t that long ago that I was deep in student loan debt and had less than $100 in my bank account. I didn’t have a college degree, I had no opportunities.

But you know what? Something happened that changed my life. I learned about people like me who became successful. They demonstrated what it took to become multimillionaires. Again, it’s not just about money. It’s about the good life; health, wealth, love and happiness.

A little knowledge and wisdom can go a long way. Recently Forbes released its 2016 edition of the top 30 under 30. These are bright individuals under 30 years old who have made it big in their respective fields.

Being in the same age category myself, I can relate to a lot of what they have to say. Below are some quotes from individuals who made it onto the list. The green words are my own reactions to their quotes. Let’s learn some knowledge!

“I realized if I didn’t love the woman I saw in the mirror then there was no way I was actually going to be successful.” ~Ashey Graham, 28. Model-designer.
As a size 14, plus-size model, Graham landed five magazine covers in the last year plus a bikini ad in the 2015 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. She calls herself a “body activist,” advocating for the 50% of American women who wear a size 14 or larger, an $18 billion market.
What you tell yourself everyday will either lift you up or tear you down. Self acceptance and confidence can be the key to unlocking your true potential.

“People perceive investing in the market as risky. The bigger mistake is leaving a lot of money in your savings account.” ~ Vlad Tenev, 28. Finance. Co-founder of Robinhood.
Tenev dropped out of UCLA’s math Ph.D. program to build high-tech trading software for hedge funds and banks. 
Investing too conservatively can backfire and actually lead to less financial security down the road due to opportunity cost.

 “When I found out that 0.1% of actors are working, I was like, ‘You know what? I’m going to go for it anyway.’ You only live once.” ~ John Boyega, 23. Entertainment. Actor.
As the new male lead in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” Boyega should get used to seeing his likeness on action figures and lunch boxes.
Nobody gets a second chance at life so seize any opportunity you come across.  

“I’m very much a risk taker. I don’t have experience on my side, but I have persistence.” ~ Tyler Haney, 27. Retail and E-Commerce. Founder of Outdoor Voices.
Haney created an activewear apparel company based on minimalism, and technical aesthetics.
This is pretty much my investment philosophy in a nutshell.

“My biggest moment? Maybe yesterday. Seriously, man, I’m 17, so I’m still doing it for fun.” ~ Shawn Mendes, 17. Music. Electronic musician.
The Canadian singer follows the path of countrymen Justin Bieber and Drake, parlaying an online fan base into a major-label record deal.
Remember to have fun. Nothing will ruin your teens or even 20s more than thinking you should have your life figured out already.

“To actually have something that we created on a Whole Foods shelf was so unbelievable. I still get chills just thinking about it.” ~Anne Lawless. Food & Drink. Co-founder of Suja Juice.
Suja Juice is a brand that is valued at $300 million. It has surged in popularity thanks to its rejection of added sugar, genetically modified fruit and other manufactured chemical additives.
Use the satisfaction of prior accomplishments to motivate future plans. 

Check out the Forbes website for more quotes. Millennials are sometimes portrayed by the older generations as being lazy. But some of the brightest minds today are young people. 😀 This 30 under 30 list shows it’s possible for anyone to be highly respected and admired no matter what industry they choose to work in.

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Random Useless Fact:

Horses are evolving and becoming smarter, and lazier.