The Top 30 Entrepreneurs Under 30 Creating Life on Their Own Terms

The Top 30 Entrepreneurs Under 30 list has been done before. In fact, Forbes, features several sub lists to the tune of almost 600 different entries. What makes my list different? The individuals on this list aren’t just monetarily successful, they’re artists of a sort. They have created life on their own terms. To truly help this make sense, let’s decode it a little bit.

You may read this list and say “I’m more successful than him or her” or “Why did he or she make it?” In addition to stats, there’s that “X Factor” — that bit of an attitude or “gusto” that society has told them to walk left so they choose to walk right; basically flipping conventional wisdom “The Bird.”

The idea is that they grasped life, took an idea or an opportunity and ran with it; like an artist or a sculptor, they made it their creation. So yes, there is a bit of admiration involved, but let’s face it, these are the individuals that created life on their own terms.

1. Nathan Latka, 27.

Nathan Latka

While still in college at Virginia Tech University, Nathan Latka helped to found Heyo, a company that helps business owners capture email addresses using contests on Facebook, in addition to filling a need in the tech industry. The company grew quickly before its sale in 2016, with valuations of the company at sale range around 7-8 figures. Latka also hosts a podcast called “The Top,” in which he interviews top performers, cutting through the chatter and diving right into dollars and cents.

2.Nathan Chan, 29.

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Nathan Chan saw a hole in the entrepreneurial sphere, and created the digital magazine Foundr. The magazine grew rapidly and has become a staple in the business community, cracking the top 10 for business publications in iTunes at a mind bending rate. Foundr’s prominence allowed Nathan to interview such entrepreneurs as Richard Branson, Arianna Huffington, Gary Vaynerchuk and Tim Ferriss.

3. Gallant Dill, 24.

Gallant Dill

Without obtaining a high school diploma, Gallant Dill has the drive and carries himself with such confidence that it is hard to believe he is only 24. Gallant started creating businesses at 17, by quickly identifying needs and reverse engineering on how to fill them. At 21, he created a supplement line which grew to well over 1 million followers on social media, and quickly got his product into retail stores. So quickly in fact, that other companies paid him to do the same for their brands. From that success came his company InStore Connection, in which he gets products to retailers, with a formula he’s pioneered. Not stopping there, Dill also invests in real estate and countless other business ventures.

4. Tiffany Pham, 29.

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Credit: Audrey Froggatt. Jewelry Credit: Goldtinker® Jewelers. Location Credit: Manhattan Penthouse on 5th.

Tiffany Pham is a Yale University and Harvard Business School alumni, that saw a need for women and very powerfully filled it. She created Mogul, a platform to help women connect and empower them in their lives and businesses. What’s even more impressive is how she taught herself to code at night after her day job. Resulting in her building the original framework of the site and launching Mogul to 1 million users on opening day. The platform currently reaches nearly 18 million women per week and has seen Pham named to such illustrious lists as Forbes 30 Under 30.

5. Alex Morton, 26.

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While still a student at Arizona State University, Alex Morton got his first job in real estate by demanding it. From there, Morton became a network marketing success story, making his first $1 million dollars by the age of 25; landing him a cover story in Rolling Stone Magazine. He chronicles his success in his latest book: “Dorm Room to Millionaire,” quickly rising on the bestseller list. In his latest venture, The Alex Morton Mindset, Morton trains high performers across the entire sales landscape.

6. Chandler Bolt, 22.

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Photographer: CJ Thomas

Chandler Bolt is a five-time bestselling author, and he’s only 22 years old. He’s figured out the formula of just what it takes to create a bestselling book. He dropped out of college to start his own school, and thus created Self-Publishing School. In 2015, Business Insider predicted that Self-Publishing School would do $1 million in revenue; the prediction came true. Recently, Chandler launched a self-publishing virtual summit that had A-listers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Tucker Max and Grant Cardone. He really is taking prospective authors to school, literally.

7. Ben Schemper, 27.

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Ben Schemper is the co-founder of Epic Impact, a company that takes 6-figure salespeople to 7-figures and beyond. Schemper was born to lead a culture of top sales performance, leading his first million dollar sales team at the age of 20. He is the guy behind the scenes of all the salespeople who we hear are “Crushing It.” If they’re crushing it, Ben is their batting coach. A top 1% sales performer whose trained thousands, Schemper teaches that one of the key ingredients to top performance is cutting out the noise and being committed to mastering the art and science of influence. He’s a true leader for a top performing millennial sales culture.

8. Stacey Ferreira, 23.

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While still in high school, Stacey Ferreira founded MySocialCould, a password vault app that later sold to Reputation.com. Upon leaving, she co-authored 2 Billion Under 20, a book that highlighted millennials challenging the current state of the education system. In 2015, Stacey was named a Thiel Fellowship recipient landing her a $100,000 cheque to pursue her business from early Facebook investor Peter Thiel. She took the money and time off to build Forge, an on-demand labor marketplace. Forge has raised $1.5 million in venture funding to date. Stacey was also named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list in 2016. \

9. Joel Brown, 29.

Joel Brown wants success so bad that he’s addicted to it. He’s the founder of Addicted2Success. The Australian native founded the site to help inspire others to create and to be successful. Joel has even refused as much as $1 million to sell the site. The site nets Joel multiple 6-figures/year from advertising and other opportunities — inspiring over 1 million unique visitors per month to the site. Despite many offers to sell, Brown has a mission to inspire and can’t for what the future holds for his loyal following.

10. Andrew O’Brien, 28.

 

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As a veteran, Andrew O’Brien went on a mission to stand up for his fellow servicemen and the struggle they experience after they come home. In the process, he managed to get himself coverage on 70 different media outlets, culminating in an invite to the Whitehouse. Andrew then took this skillset and created his firm “The Publicity Guy” helping high-end entrepreneurs get publicity for their causes. Andrew serves such entrepreneurs as Alex Charfen, Ed O’Keefe and Russell Brunson.  

11. Peter Voogd, 28.

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Credit: Justin R Spillers

What hasn’t Peter Voogd done? He’s the founder of Game Changer’s Academy, author of 6 Months to Six-Figures, and a high-level entrepreneur coach. He jumped into business at 15 and rapidly saw success, but at 22 found himself broke. However, in a period of 6 months, turned up the heat and hit 6-figures. It didn’t take Peter long before he crossed the 7, then 8 figure threshold. He then helped CEO’s and Olympians alike to create the same results that he pioneered.

12. Benjamin Stern, 17.

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Benjamin Stern is not your typical 17-year-old; he’s started his own business and appeared on Shark Tank. The Melbourne, FL native developed a sustainable shampoo product called Nohbo. On Shark Tank, Stern took a deal from Dallas Mavericks Billionaire owner, Mark Cuban for $100,000 in funding for a 25% stake in the company. Some venture firms have gone on to estimate that his company is worth upwards of close to $20 million. The appearance on Shark Tank has started the first of what will be many big opportunities for Stern and Nohbo.

13. JuVan Langford, 28.

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JuVan Langford had every disadvantage growing up. From being adopted, to living in the wrong neighborhood where drugs and violence were a regular occurrence. He rose above it all and that’s why he’s dedicated his life to helping other men of all ages to become the best version of themselves. He’s helping them to reclaim their lives and rewrite their story. Be it through speaking globally or his YouTube vlog. JuVan Langford is a man on a mission. If you haven’t noticed yet, then it’s time to pay attention.

14. Clinton Senkow, 27.

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Clinton Senkow is a man on a meteoric rise. After graduating college and the end to his hockey career, the Canadian native wondered what would come next. He started to dabble in the startup scene mostly in sales and marketing type roles, leading him into digital marketing. The last 12 months have seen Senkow’s success continue to rise by becoming a contributor to several large publications, including The Huffington Post, while also being awarded the Next Gen Hustler award at the Next Gen Summit this past June. Ultimately leading him into partnering with Inc. 500 entrepreneur Brian D. Evans to grow this very site Influencive. Next month, Clinton will be on his way to China to represent Canada at the G20 Young Entrepreneurs Alliance Summit In Beijing.

15. Justin Lafazan, 20.

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Justin Lafazan has always had the entrepreneurial bug. At the beginning of his college career, he started Students4Students to help students understand the college admissions process and help them maximize their education opportunities. Not stopping there, he then started the Next Gen Summit to help Gen Y entrepreneurs not just connect, but to maximize their network and their own skillset through an online community and annual event. In December 2015, he published his bestselling book, “What Wakes You Up?” where he donated all of the profits from book sales to the Next Gen Foundation, dedicated to granting scholarships to underprivileged youth.

16. Ashley Zahabian, 21.

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At only 21 years old, Ashley Zahabian is one of the youngest keynote speakers around. She has already worked with the likes of Grant Cardone, Gary Vaynerchuk and Eric Thomas; appearing on Grant Cardone’s Ask the Pro Show. At such a young age, she’s already spoken on stage in front almost 2 million people. Ashley has been so successful because she has taken the time to study what really makes public speaking an artform. She has been featured in various publications like The Huffington Post and Entrepreneur.  

17. Evan Luthra, 21.

Evan Luthra

Evan Luthra has a remarkable ability to take concepts and turn them into products. At only 12 years old he created his first mobile app, which curated tech news which garnered upwards of a quarter of a million readers. Luthra’s company EL Group International, services the technology needs of Fortune 500 Companies. Through his company Fresh VC, Evan is an accredited angel investor, helping tech related startups to grow. Amazing accomplishments for a man that is only 21 years old.

18. Taylor Pearson, 27.

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Taylor Pearson believes we are nearing the end of jobs. In fact, that’s the name of his bestselling book, named by Inc as one of the top 25 business books of 2015. There’s something very Tim Ferriss-esque about Taylor Pearson. He traveled the world and saw the future trends of where the economy is going and believes that to survive in the future economy, everyone will have to have a little entrepreneurial spirit in them. Taylor is more than just an author or an entrepreneur, he’s like a soothsayer for the new economy.  

19. Adi Halevy, 25.

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Adi Halevy is the CEO and Co-Founder of Teami Blends, an all-natural tea company based in Tampa Bay, Florida. Adi had no previous marketing or business experience, didn’t attend college, but did have the quick decision making skills of an entrepreneur. All marketing, design, website development, customer service, shipping and fulfillment were all done from her 5×8 ft. bedroom. Serving over 200,000 customers worldwide, Teami has become a lifestyle sensation for men and women in the USA and internationally. Adi has spearheaded the movement which has grown to over 40 staff in under 2 years, as well as acquiring a 10,000 sq. ft warehouse/office space for their expansion in 2016.

20. Hershey Hilado, 24.

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Hershey Hilado did not grow up in the best of circumstances in the Philippines, and when times got tough, she was literally sold by her family. It was then a journey to find her freedom, which at one point saw her  homeless, before eventually finding her way to freedom in Australia. Through the tenacity she developed, Hershey very quickly built the fashion brand, OhMaGosh. Still fueled by her passion to help women through experiences like she had, Hershey has become a top advocate helping women that have been victims of sex trafficking.

21. Connor Blakley, 17.

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Connor Blakley is a 17 year old entrepreneur, speaker, and Fortune 500 youth marketing and branding strategist. Forbes called Connor, “A youth marketing and branding expert” and was deemed by Inc. Magazine as a “business phenom and tycoon”. Strong words for a 17-year-old, that he took the initiative to start a youth brand consulting company. There are high expectations for Connor with entrepreneurs such as Alex Morton shouting his name from the stage at an Amplify Live event recently. Connor’s insight is a valuable asset, that no one else has yet seemed to harness. Now, it’s up to Connor to keep that edge going and stave off a quickly advancing pack of millennials.

22. Caleb Maddix, 14.

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Caleb Maddix is a firecracker. At only 12 years old, he wrote his first book Keys to Success for Kids, since then, it’s been a fast paced rise to the top. In which he has shared stages with people that he has held as mentors, such as Gary Vaynerchuk. Caleb has often said that he’s anti-gun, because the “Gunna is going to kill you every time.” Caleb has goals of making his first million by 16 and at only 14, his personal businesses already generate six-figures. Caleb has just begun his rise and looks to stay there for a long, long time.

23. Amanda Goldman-Petri, 26.

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Amanda Goldman-Petri believes that you don’t need to be hustling. It sounds a bit shocking, but once you delve into her logic on the topic, it makes a heck of a lot of sense. She teaches the idea of working smarter, not harder. If you doubt her, then just take one look at her stats. Amanda’s current business, Market Like a Nerd, made six figures in its first 90 days. Amanda is redefining just how we use hustle in our marketing and given her results, it’s time to pay attention.

24. Jeremy Adams, 26.

Jeremy Adams

Jeremy Adams hasn’t only hustled, he’s also done a great job in aligning himself with the right influencers, such as Shark Tank’s Kevin Harrington. Not only has he aligned himself with Harrington, he works with him on a daily basis, in addition to co-owning a business with him. Not to mention at 22, he started a very successful custom food truck company called Prestige Food Trucks, in addition to owning 2 other businesses.

25. Steve Valtin, 27.

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Steve was put into the workforce at 13, and ever since has been a pivotal force in business, alongside his father, Patrick Valtin. He serves as Executive Director of New Era Management, Executive Director of No Fail Hiring, in addition to serving as the co-author to the updated version of the book by the same name, No Fail Hiring 2.0. He is an expert in helping business owners hire the best possible employees and helping them figure out what they are really thinking about in a job interview. Steve is also a Master Business Consultant, trained at Hubbard College in Los Angeles. Since taking over as Executive Director of the Florida based Dynamic Motors in 2016, Steve has pushed the company to highest ever level of profits.  

26. Kyle Gray, 28.

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Did you know that you could use your college to create a personal brand? Kyle Gray did just that. Through a program called “The Foundry,” he was able to use his status as a student to bring in many influencers to learn from and network with. Kyle details this process in his book “The College Entrepreneur,” which very quickly became a bestseller on Amazon. He is a great example of just how any system can be used to your advantage. If you can just figure out how to crack its code.  Kyle has also worked with WP Curve, in addition to being a master at content marketing and guiding clients in just what their brand should look like.

27. Nicholas & Amanda Bayerle, 24, 22.

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How bad do you want it? That’s the Question that Nicholas and Amanda Bayerle want you to ask yourself. The San Diego couple founded The True Challenge after experiencing their own health tranformations. They wanted to help their male audience not just become more fit but better overall people. They’re quickly becoming the future of fitness, coaching many high-end clients to the body of their dreams and embracing many new forms of media including their top iTunes podcast “How Bad I Want It.” They’re looking to cover every avenue and are very quickly doing so; it only seemed right to include the two as a couple, because no matter what it’s still one business.

28. Calvin Wayman, 28.

Calvin Wayman

Calvin Wayman is the Millionaire Case Study; It’s actually the name of his YouTube show. He’s filling the gap that Gary Vaynerchuk repeatedly points out — the missing link between just starting out and the real success. He’s taking responsibility for the authenticity that is missing in the entrepreneurial narrative. He’s also a social media expert, and the creator of CobbesMedia — a social media management company. In addition to that, Calvin has been featured in Entrepreneur, Huffington Post and Social Media Examiner.

29. Sunny Lenarduzzi, 28.

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Sunny Lenarduzzi helps entrepreneurs to monetize their message, and create life on their own terms with video as the medium of choice. She runs a very successful YouTube Channel, in addition to running campaigns for companies like Hootsuite and Applebees — the latter of which she helped to get 1 billion impressions in just a single day. Her work has been featured on TV, radio and publications such as The Huffington Post and Entrepreneur.

30. Tyler Basu, 26.

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In 2013, Tyler launched his first podcast, Chatting with Champions, in the process learning from over 100 successful entrepreneurs and taking him further down the online marketing rabbit hole. In 2015, he authored his third book and # 1 Amazon bestseller,  Lifestyle Business Blueprint, which also became the name for his digital magazine featured later that year. In addition, Tyler is a professional content marketer, generating relevant quality content for businesses. 

 

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