Browse real, anonymous stories from Bay Area millionaires. Filter by industry, age, or milestone to find journeys similar to your situation.
Started in corporate finance with a focus on real estate analysis. Used industry knowledge to identify undervalued properties during the 2008-2010 downturn. Built a portfolio of rental properties while maintaining corporate career, eventually scaling to multi-family units.
Started with no formal education in tech, learned coding through online courses while working retail. Built small projects that led to freelancing, then a junior dev role. Eventually founded a niche SaaS business that generated significant passive income.
First in my family to attend college, worked as an RN while pursuing advanced degrees. Identified staffing gaps during COVID and co-founded a healthcare staffing agency that grew rapidly. Combined high-income career with entrepreneurship and disciplined investing.
Immigrated to the US with $5,000 and restaurant experience. Started as a line cook, saved aggressively to open a small restaurant. Gradually expanded to multiple locations, eventually purchasing the buildings. Combined food business profits with strategic real estate investments.
Lost tech job during layoffs and started driving for Uber to make ends meet. Used driving time to listen to real estate podcasts and network with passengers. Saved aggressively for first property, then scaled through BRRRR strategy (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat).
Spent 8 years in retail management before transitioning to tech sales without a technical background. Started in SMB sales role, quickly advanced to enterprise accounts. Combined high commission income with aggressive investing strategy focused on index funds and mega-cap tech stocks.
Started as a pharmacy technician while completing undergraduate degree. Moved into clinical research, then joined early-stage biotech company with significant equity package. Company's successful drug trials led to acquisition by pharmaceutical giant, creating windfall from equity.
Started as a struggling graphic designer during the 2008 recession. Pivoted to UX design as digital products grew. Progressively advanced to creative leadership roles at tech companies, eventually becoming Creative Director at a pre-IPO company with significant equity grant.
Spent 12 years as a middle school science teacher before creating supplementary materials that gained popularity online. Developed educational platform addressing specific learning gaps, eventually leaving classroom to build EdTech startup that was acquired by major educational publisher.