Hey there, I'm a 27 year old based in the Bay Area with >$1M net worth. I started my career as a software engineer at Airbnb, but shortly after I transitioned to become a quantitative researcher at Citadel. There, I was able to build my nest egg to do a few things. First, I saved enough to ultimately quit and start my own company, Eclipse Labs. I've met most of my best friends through entrepreneurship circles, so I think it's a better fit for my personality. Second, I was able to start donating in size. For example, I funded my former high school's newspaper, The Wildcat Tribune, and stay connected with the faculty there. It's been gratifying to host discussion sessions for the students and give back.
My mother was pregnant with me at 16. She had no money, limited support, and often chose partners out of survival, not love. Many of them were abusive. I grew up sleeping on couches, in hostels, on beaches, and even some nights in caves. We relied on food banks/soup kitchens when I was a young child. That kind of beginning teaches you to survive alone and to expect disconnection. In 2006, I bought a struggling childcare centre and rebuilt it from the ground up. That centre helped me grow my wealth quite quickly and, unexpectedly, it helped ease the loneliness too. For the first time, I had a team, people to spend time with, and a shared sense of purpose. With the help of a great team, I self-funded and scaled the business to a network of 54 locations and over 2,500 staff. In 2018, I went on to launch BondiBoost, a global beauty brand now stocked in Sephora, ULTA, and Boots UK. Wealth gave me more than financial security it gave me choice. The freedom to walk away from environments that didn't serve me, and the power to build a life rooted in trust, purpose, and connection. It also allowed me to give my children access to private education, where we found a strong and supportive school community. I invested in causes that reflect my values like Mettle Inc, supporting women recovering from domestic violence, and Zambi Wildlife Retreat, which is a not-for-profit animal sanctuary and wildlife foundation located in Australia. It focuses on providing a safe and enriching environment for exotic animals, including those retired from the circus, entertainment industry, and zoo breeding programs, as well as native animals in need. I co funded and became executive producer for Memory Bites, a storytelling-meets-food TV series with Matt Moran, because storytelling connects and heals. All of these were funded through the wealth I created and they gave me meaningful ways to connect with people and build genuine relationships. I filled my life with people and projects I believed in and that helped ease the isolation. Wealth also gave me the confidence to build something new, including a business with someone who was once Australia's top male escort. I'm now engaged. It was unexpected, but it's real. He sees me. Loves me. Stands beside me. And in that relationship and the freedom that wealth allowed to choose it because I found something I never had growing up: true emotional safety and connection. Happy to provide documentation of all exits and investments.
Before I hit seven figures, I was stretched thin,time poor. Everything was a trade off. Miss dinner for work. Miss sleep for family. Miss life trying to survive it. Becoming a millionaire didn't suddenly make me happier. But it freed me. I outsourced the stress, what I got back was presence. Morning cuddles with my toddler. Uninterrupted conversations with my partner. Spontaneous weekends. We don't talk enough about how wealth can give you the ability to reconnect. not just with others, but with YOURSELF. I didn't get rich and feel less lonely. I got time rich and found out I'd been lonely for years. Now, I build with people I love, spend time with those who matter, And honestly? That's the real flex. Being rich has nothing to do with money, its the freedom of time.
At first, I wasn't sure how to answer this question. I've worked alongside and raised children with some of Connecticut's billionaire families, and I haven't seen a direct correlation between wealth and the quality of one's social connections or happiness. In fact, I've observed a tipping point where extreme wealth can actually contribute to greater loneliness. Some of the billionaire children I knew required bodyguards because they were potential kidnapping targets. They often kept their distance socially—partly to protect their privacy, and partly to avoid being seen as a financial resource. That level of wealth, in my experience, can work against connection and contribute to isolation. So what's the "sweet spot" when it comes to wealth? My financial advisor once said it's somewhere between $20-30 million—not so little that it creates stress, but not so much that it destroys family relationships or work ethic, or makes you a target. That number stuck with me. Dave Ramsey, a leading voice in personal finance, says that money simply amplifies who you already are. From what I've seen, I agree. My friends who were naturally social growing up—many of whom are now millionaires—have generally continued to prioritize connection and community. I believe the real driver of loneliness goes back to early childhood experiences. Was it safe to connect with others? Did you grow up feeling loved, secure, and supported? Was connection with parents, siblings, peers, and community a positive experience? These foundational relationships shape our capacity for connection more than financial status ever could. My husband and I own a healthcare company, and he's participated in multiple medical mission trips to communities with limited financial resources. His consistent observation: those with the least often seem to be the most connected and joyful. While money can facilitate opportunities to connect, real connection depends far more on a person's willingness and emotional capacity to engage—not the size of their bank account.
Being a millionaire has made me feel less lonely by being able to give and share opportunities with my family. I am the first millionaire in my family and grew up where money was not abundant. I am now able to do things like pay for all of my family members to come with me, like my mom, and go on these beautiful trips where we can experience this together. My money allows me to spend this quality time and provide this space with family. It has also allowed me to be able to take time with my husband on vacations. We can take weeks off and head a on a vacation together. We can take classes together and work on our marriage. It has also allowed me to be able to leaning hobbies and meet people there. For example, I am in barre classes, cooking classes, gardening and more. I am able to have the income to lean into these items.
Becoming a millionaire has a bad stigma of attracting the wrong people who want to befriend you for your money, but I feel it does the complete opposite. It actually removes the fake friends because by engaging in activities that brought me the wealth in the first place, like business masterminds, and hobbies like boating and travel, in turn you are surrounded by like-minded people who align with you, and empower you, and choose to spend time with you. It gives one access to rooms where people actually understand what it takes to get there and created friendships and supportive uplifting and deep connections. I became less lonely now in my 50's with true friends, not because I have more or because of my millionaire status, but because I could finally surround myself with real people who don't get uncomfortable when you talk about ambition, legacy, or seven-figure goals.
Good Day, I was persistently yoked to work and family as I really had to hustle during the pre-meltdown time. Now I can go to bed with my kids and wake up in the morning and prepare breakfast without considering 1000 other things - I could be present! I have delegated many of these task apart from the time of bookkeeping, property management, and some parenting logistics. Wealth has given me attending in masterminds for business and investor circles where the conversations are candid, alignment is in values, and the friendships are deeper. It afforded some freedom from social isolation. Although not utterly freeing me from loneliness, its very capacity for connection was in close proximity to people enjoying my kind of pace, ambition, and lifestyle, thus making meaningful connection something quite natural. If you decide to use this quote, I'd love to stay connected! Feel free to reach me at marketing@docva.com and nathanbarz@docva.com