Post: #1

I thought people could put down their stories of success and fortune and the right mindset they had at the time to cultivate it.

Here is a quote by Machiavelli in regards to what he thought about it.

“I conclude therefore that, fortune being changeful and mankind steadfast in their ways, so long as the two are in agreement men are successful, but unsuccessful when they fall out. For my part I consider that it is better to be adventurous than cautious, because fortune is a woman, and if you wish to keep her under it is necessary to beat and ill-use her; and it is seen that she allows herself to be mastered by the adventurous rather than by those who go to work more coldly. She is, therefore, always, woman-like, a lover of young men, because they are less cautious, more violent, and with more audacity command her.”


I am starting this thread because I am on the bounce back after making a few bad financial decisions and some even worse calls when it came to trusting friends and associates. Loyalty and trust is something that should be cherished and not given away easily, is all I can say. So I want to get back on to the right track before I restart my studies.

Fortunately I have come across a fair number of successful people over the last couple of years from different places such as China, Russia, M.E. These are people who have managed to set up businesses abroad out of scratch and just a few contacts. Others are doing well in big business despite being in their 20s. A few things I have noticed about them.


1) They surround themselves with people who are of a positive nature, I am not necessarily talking about positive, in terms of being all about smiles and cupcakes. I am talking about those who add value into their lives, regardless with what that may be.

2) Taking risks, this speaks for itself, and I have heard this repeated on this forum many times, when it comes to things such as game.

3) Being grounded, this is more from personal experience, but there is this essence of being grounded. Kind of conflicts with point number two. But they have a way of bearing the storm, and not budging. A lot of this ties into understanding their own value.

4) They scorn Facebook, seriously I have noticed this a lot. I think it says a lot, Facebook and social media in general, is a soul sucker. Aside from a few of the characters like Dan Bilzerain or whatever he is called. Most of it for boring people to validate their existence by comparing with others. Its an easy trap to fall into.

Anymore points or personal stories would be cool.

Post: #2

In my 20s (2005-2008) I was a derivatives trader in London working for the biggest and best bank in the world at that time, very famous everyone has heard of them. Unfortunately the mindset they required there was for young, vicious, super arrogant and money hungry men. I made huge money and then was encouraged to spend even more by my peers and superiors. We would regularly hit Boujis,Vendome, Mahiki and think nothing of dropping 3-4k on drinks/women and then another few thousand on the casino tables in Mayfair. Needless to say I got addicted to the lifestyle and took it to an extreme. I ended up in a very very dark place (mentally) and after prolonged rehab and the love and care of my family (whom i totally mistreated and ignored in my stupidity) I have managed to turn things around. Nowadays there are no wild nights. I don't drink or smoke and am much calmer. But I find I am also far poorer than I use to be. Well im trying to re-climb the ladder of success one step at a time.

Post: #3

(09-21-2014 07:11 AM)Chengiz88 Wrote:  In my 20s (2005-2008) I was a derivatives trader in London working for the biggest and best bank in the world at that time, very famous everyone has heard of them. Unfortunately the mindset they required there was for young, vicious, super arrogant and money hungry men. I made huge money and then was encouraged to spend even more by my peers and superiors. We would regularly hit Boujis,Vendome, Mahiki and think nothing of dropping 3-4k on drinks/women and then another few thousand on the casino tables in Mayfair. Needless to say I got addicted to the lifestyle and took it to an extreme. I ended up in a very very dark place (mentally) and after prolonged rehab and the love and care of my family (whom i totally mistreated and ignored in my stupidity) I have managed to turn things around. Nowadays there are no wild nights. I don't drink or smoke and am much calmer. But I find I am also far poorer than I use to be. Well im trying to re-climb the ladder of success one step at a time.

Interesting story, good to hear that you managed to climb back out of that. I knew of a guy who was similar, worked for a big company we all know of in Central London. Instead of spending a few k every weekend, he would go abroad, and come back for work on monday with a tan. Needless to say he is starting his own successful lifestyle company right now.

I imagine the temptation is strong for that lifestyle. May seem like a naive question, but why did the bosses insist that they have this lifestyle ?

Post: #4

I think a key to success is having your mind open for opportunities. I'm sure most people would agree that when you actually sit down to think about a business idea you don't have much luck, most great business ideas just come to you when you least expect it. That's not to say it's pure luck but having a business and hustle mindset allows you to see opportunities when they come along. I have had dozens of businesses that failed or ideas that never came to fruition but my 3 businesses that have actually had success were all things I stumbled upon.

I had a business that sold beanbag aka cornhole games. It came about as I had to start a business for a school project in entrepreneurship. My cousin was selling games and the time and I thought okay that's an easy project I'll buy his games and flip them to other people. Well I realize dthey were pretty easy to make so wound up making them myself and making bigger margins. Was doing pretty well,kinda parlayed it into an event company as well, bars would pay me to host their cornhole tournaments and eventually spread to vollyball tournaments and other things as well. THis started out as a month long school project and turned into a busines which lasted until the whole cornhole fad died down.

My most recent business was something I fell into as well. Realized an opportunity at my dead end low paying day job and started my own hustle on the side which turned into a business whihc is now doing very well.

Don't be afraid to fail, don't always be waiting for hte perefect moment to start a business as that perfect moment will never come and you will never get started and lastly just always be thinking about business and hustles and be ready to recognize an opportunity when it comes along.