After Becoming A Millionaire At Age 23, Steven Bartlett Is Helping Fellow Entrepreneurs To Scale Multi-Million-Dollar Businesses

When he was 18 years old, Steven Bartlett made a quick choice to abandon the usual route of pursuing a college degree and decided to become an entrepreneur. More than ten years have passed since then, but he has not regretted his decision.

According to The Guardian, Bartlett decided that his attendance at a lecture in Manchester, England, as a former student of Manchester Metropolitan University would end on that very day.

Once he left college, he had the liberty to focus entirely on his entrepreneurial dreams. In his first year, Bartlett established his own business called Social Chain, which is now a top-rated social media marketing agency. Today, Bartlett has become a millionaire all thanks to the success of his agency. Additionally, in a recent interview on BBC One’s “Dragons’ Den,” Bartlett stated that he accomplished the impressive feat of building Social Chain into a business worth £300 million (equivalent to around $382 million USD) by the age of 28.

In an interview with AFROTECH, Bartlett recollected how he went from being a university dropout to a millionaire in a short amount of time. His intense drive to prove himself, regardless of having a degree or not, was the reason behind his success.

In an interview with AFROTECH, Bartlett shared that at the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey, he was lacking in formal business education, guidance from experienced mentors, and a clear blueprint for success. However, he relied on trial and error to gain insight and knowledge, ultimately resulting in valuable lessons learned.

Bartlett didn't start with a specific plan, but it turned out to be advantageous for him in terms of his achievements. He not only has a successful podcast called "Diary of a CEO," but he's also the creator of Flight Story and Flight Fund, as well as one of the co-founders of Thirdweb, a web3 development platform, and Until, a fitness marketplace. Additionally, he has invested in more than 40 businesses such as Whoop, Zoe, and Huel, as stated on his LinkedIn profile.

Bartlett has established a strong business foundation and is now dedicated to assisting entrepreneurs in developing their own multi-million-dollar businesses. In a conversation with AFROTECH, he discussed his journey as a businessman, his drive to aid female business owners, and his desire to redefine the definition of "success."

When Did Your Passion For Entrepreneurship Spark?

Steven Bartlett has always had a knack for entrepreneurship since his younger years. He credits his epiphany moment to dropping out of university only after a month, where he discovered his passion for having a "hustler" mentality. At 18, he embarked on his first business venture, determined to make it work and prove to himself and those around him that dropping out of university was the right decision.

I have carried this strong interest with me all my life, and it really shows when I have conversations with my guests on my podcast "The Diary of a CEO". Most times, speaking with them gives me a new sense of motivation and a burst of energy to tackle my own tasks.

Lessons For Millionaires: What I Wish I Knew In My 20s

There were a plethora of lessons to be learned from my past. During that particular period, I lacked confidence and was solely motivated by my desire to be acknowledged as "successful" and obtain a millionaire status no matter what. However, I later discovered that the goals I was pursuing were not a true representation of success. Simply excelling in your profession while struggling in all other areas of life cannot be deemed as triumph.

One important thing that I have come to understand, after some time has passed, is that success essentially means finding equilibrium. Based on my experience, this applies to achieving peace in terms of emotional bonding, establishing a sense of community through social interaction, taking care of my physical and mental well-being, and striving towards professional goals. I regret not having comprehended this earlier.

Many people will have to experience disappointment with what they consider "success" before they're able to think about it differently. If you're able to listen to yourself and comprehend your true feelings, you can determine if your perception of success is letting you down or not.

"What Makes A Company Investment-worthy For You?"

I like to concentrate on the individuals who are behind the businesses, as I will eventually be putting my money on their enthusiasm, devotion, and drive towards their company. If the creators themselves don't have complete faith in their merchandise, then neither I nor the probable buyer will.

Lately, I have been putting my money into places that appeal to my individual preferences, specifically in the areas of well-being, health, and physical fitness.

Update On Flight Story Fund's Goal. Why Supporting Female-Founded Unicorns Matters To Me?

I am a part of the Flight Story Fund team and we are currently occupied with various tasks. We have the opportunity to witness plenty of entrepreneurs and their accounts, and our aim is to support and collaborate with the most exceptional startups.

I still aspire to discover and back the next promising unicorn founded by a female. Though we've made progress in extending the representation of diverse perspectives across industries, I'm keen on promoting female entrepreneurs and granting them adequate access to the assistance needed to reach unicorn status.

"Business Advice In Tough Times: Insight From CEO Podcast"

I had a really interesting chat with Will Ahmed, the person who started Whoop. We talked about the idea of starting from scratch, and particularly how genuine creativity needs you to concentrate and stick to your guns even when it doesn’t feel natural. What makes Whoop special is how they welcome what's unique, and that thought really clicked with me. It shows just how important it is for businesses to keep their own individuality and think freely when trying to be original.

"Adapting To Changing Trends In Web3: Thirdweb's Journey"

I am a strong supporter of blockchain technology and I believe it will become ubiquitous in the future. Although the initial excitement has died down, I am committed to its long-term success. Many people were caught up in the hype, assuming that blockchain was simply a platform for selling digital images for exorbitant sums, but the real value lies in the technology itself. Thirdweb is an exceptional company that enables genuine creators to carry out their work and exploit this technology.

"How To Start & Scale A Multi-Million Dollar Biz: Insights From BBC Maestro Course"

When I began my journey, I lacked any formal business training, guidance, or a concrete strategy. Instead, my progress was a result of various trial and error endeavors that helped me gain insightful knowledge. Being able to impart all the valuable wisdom I have gained in the process of establishing and growing an enterprise is a tremendous privilege.

I've discussed a range of topics in my blog, ranging from financial management and overcoming fear to working with novice investors and developing resilience. These are the subjects that people usually avoid discussing, but they are critical to success. My aim is to guide individuals through the most difficult and challenging times, allowing them to come out the other side even stronger. The ultimate goal is to create a long-lasting brand that one can be proud of.

"2024 Sneak Peek: What's In Store?"

My colleagues and I have some thrilling updates in store for the upcoming year. Unfortunately, I can't divulge any details just yet. But rest assured that we have a brand-new endeavor in the works that we've been diligently crafting, and we're eagerly looking forward to introducing it to everyone soon. It's best to be alert and attentive during the next several months so you don't miss out on its debut!

If you want additional information regarding Bartlett's BBC Maestro program, please go to this link.