Chapter 1: A Common Upbringing

I grew up in the 90s as part of a typical middle-class family in the Western world. My parents met at a prestigious university while pursuing their PhDs—one in law and the other in mechanical engineering.

At the age of six, I received my first computer and began teaching myself to code, purely for the joy of it. My enthusiasm for programming led the school director to let me instruct older students, and I even won a national competition, though the specifics are a blur—coding, judo, or perhaps math?

By 17, I gained admission to the same prestigious university, not because I was exceptionally gifted, but simply due to my birth month. There, I quickly connected with peers who shared similar ambitions, and we launched a startup funded by our families. Unfortunately, it flopped as our revolutionary idea failed to attract paying customers.

Graduating at the top of my class, I secured a summer internship at a major tech firm. However, feeling misaligned with the company values—no vegan options in the cafeteria—I sought opportunities elsewhere. I landed an interview at a Web3 startup focused on selling pixel art of ice creams as NFTs, but they didn't hire me.

Fortunately, my mentor from university, Arthur McAdams, had connections in the industry and helped me land a role at that startup, which had raised $50 million in pre-seed funding. I quickly advanced to a senior tech engineer, juggling various responsibilities—from database management to marketing.

Life was seemingly perfect, and I even had an anonymous Twitter account where I shared my thoughts on mandatory vaccination and climate change, while showcasing my car in sunset photos on Instagram.

However, after 18 months, the startup was acquired by a larger, profitable company, and I soon found myself in a monotonous routine. Despite earning a substantial income of $1.2 million a year, I felt trapped, yearning for freedom. The thought of retirement seemed unrealistic, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of shame at the idea of moving back in with my parents if things went south.

The realization hit me: job security was an illusion, and I was growing increasingly bored without any engineering challenges. It was disheartening to watch younger individuals thrive by selling courses and cryptocurrencies while traveling the globe.

After a week of reflection, I decided to resign. With no concrete plans for a new venture, I took a month-long break at my family's second home in Thailand. A chance meeting with a friend in Bangkok led us to identify an unmet need in the market, sparking the idea for my new business.

Chapter 2: The Business Mindset

Starting a business, to me, is ultimately a selfish pursuit. I embarked on this journey to reclaim my freedom from the restrictive 9-to-5 grind. I even told a Forbes journalist that delivering value and listening to customers were the keys to success—who knows, maybe I'll make it onto the 30-under-30 list!

My past failure taught me the importance of financial prudence—spending less than you earn is crucial for profitability.

In the early days of my startup, we worked around the clock, often sleeping on bean bags instead of beds, as if adhering to some unspoken startup law. Despite the chaos, I found immense satisfaction in working tirelessly for my own venture, feeling it was meaningful.

Six months later, we automated our processes, significantly improving my quality of life. Surprisingly, no one, including myself, fully understands what our startup does, but the sleek website and our success on Product Hunt indicate we're on the right track.

The first video titled "Quitting My Job at Age 22 to Start My Own Business" encapsulates the journey of leaving a stable job for entrepreneurship. It highlights the emotional and practical challenges faced along the way.

Chapter 3: Finding Love and Freedom

Now, I've found love with a wonderful Thai woman, and we're planning a sustainable wedding at a picturesque beach, reminiscent of a scene from a Leonardo DiCaprio film. I travel six months a year, managing my business with only a couple of hours of work each week, leading to a happier life.

While my income is lower than before, I’ve come to realize that money isn’t everything. With my parents doing well financially, I can afford to wait for my inheritance. They have already gifted me the Thailand house, eliminating any rent obligations.

In the near future, I plan to attend an Ayahuasca retreat for self-discovery, followed by a Bitcoin conference in El Salvador, where I'll attempt to learn Spanish but probably won't succeed.

The second video, "I Reverse Engineered the Perfect Business," dives into the mindset and strategies needed to create a successful venture. It serves as a guide for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Chapter 4: Keys to Success

The secret to my success? Hard work. I put in effort, and while it wasn't even that grueling, I believed in myself. A positive mindset is crucial; if you're feeling down, just choose happiness.

Embrace investments like Bitcoin, practice meditation, adopt a keto diet, and engage in activities that resonate with you.

In closing, if you're eager to reclaim your freedom, consider enrolling in my Udemy course with the discount code MORON for 40% off. We're also launching a Web3 education university soon!

This article is a satire.