A Minecraft Side Hustle Sparked a Multi-Million-Dollar Journey

When Steven Guo was just 12 years old, he discovered the potential of online entrepreneurship in the unlikeliest of ways. As a Minecraft enthusiast, Guo set up a server for his friends to play on. To his surprise, strangers began joining the server, and one of them offered him $50 for perks. That moment was a revelation. “I didn’t realize you could make money off the internet,” Guo recalls.

He kept building his server, adding features and selling in-game perks. By the end of the summer, he had earned $10,000, a windfall for a 12-year-old. But the success didn’t last. Guo tried to reinvest his earnings into a game development company, only to lose it all. “I failed miserably and blew basically all of my money,” he admits. The lesson stuck with him: marketing is everything.

This early taste of both success and failure laid the foundation for a decade-long entrepreneurial journey. Today, at 24 years old, Guo is the founder of multiple e-commerce businesses projected to bring in $1.7 million in revenue this year. He earns $254,000 annually, works just 30 hours a week, and lives the good life in Bali, Indonesia, where he spends his afternoons surfing and enjoying the island’s culture.

From College Struggles to E-Commerce Success

While Guo was passionate about business, his academic career told a different story. He studied business economics at the University of California, Irvine, but his entrepreneurial pursuits overshadowed his coursework. His focus on his side hustles led to a 2.7 GPA, but it also motivated him to work even harder. “Because my GPA was so bad, I knew that getting a high-paying job was probably unlikely, and that pushed me to focus on my businesses,” Guo explains.

After graduating in 2022, Guo launched several ventures, including:

• A business selling dates (the fruit) to customers online.
• A K-pop-inspired merchandise store.
• A brand that sells luxury car covers.

One of his earliest ventures, a jewelry brand called Impulse Modern, earned $2 million in revenue within a year before Guo sold it in 2022. These brands now operate under Manifest Five, his venture capital studio that grows and invests in direct-to-consumer e-commerce brands. Manifest Five focuses on 8- and 9-figure markets, including health, beauty, and automotive products.

Managing multiple businesses can be overwhelming, but Guo has learned to delegate effectively. “Early on, I spent a lot of time running every single operation in the business, and I definitely got burnt out,” he says. Now, he oversees a team of 19 remote employees based in the U.S., Philippines, UK, and India. Working with a global team allows him to hire top talent from anywhere in the world.

Why Bali? A Perfect Work-Life Balance

Guo’s entrepreneurial freedom allows him to live and work anywhere, and after traveling to over 15 countries, he chose Bali as his home. The island, with its lush landscapes and laid-back culture, had always held a special allure for him. “Bali really is a place where my work-life balance finally makes sense,” he says.

He starts his mornings managing his businesses and spends his afternoons surfing, exploring the island, or enjoying its vibrant culture. Living in Bali also provides him with a luxurious lifestyle at a fraction of the cost of Southern California. He shares a four-bedroom Airbnb villa in Canggu — a popular resort village — with two college friends who are also entrepreneurs.

“I’m definitely much happier in Bali because of how great the lifestyle is,” Guo says. “I get to spend tons of time with my friends and do the activities I love, like surfing.”

How He Spends His Time and Money

Guo works about 30 hours per week, with 40% of his time devoted to market research for his businesses. His remaining hours are spent managing his team and scaling his brands.

He keeps a tight budget to ensure financial stability, allocating most of his income toward investments. Here’s how he spent his money in September 2024:

• Savings and investments: $5,583 for a brokerage account and a Roth IRA.
• Housing and utilities: $1,691 for his share of an Airbnb rental.
• Food: $539 on dining out.
• Discretionary expenses: $1,942 for travel, shopping, and health expenses.
• Transportation: $97 on a scooter rental and taxis.
• Subscriptions and memberships: $430 for services like Amazon Prime and YouTube Premium.
• Phone: $30 for his monthly bill.

Guo’s priority is investing. He aims to put $60,000 per year into index funds and has already accumulated $340,000 in investments. “I absolutely refuse to spend money on things that depreciate in value,” Guo says. Instead, he invests in experiences and often treats family and friends to special gifts.

A Journey Shaped by Hard Work and Gratitude

As an immigrant from China who moved to Canada at age 7, Guo credits his mom for inspiring his entrepreneurial journey. “I saw her working multiple jobs just to put food on the table,” he says. Her resilience instilled in him the value of hard work and motivated him to create a better life for their family.

One of Guo’s proudest accomplishments was treating his mom and her boyfriend to a fully paid vacation in Hawaii. “It was a full-circle moment to give back to her after everything she’s done for me,” he says.

Looking Ahead: Building a $50 Million Empire

Guo’s goals don’t stop at his current success. By the time he’s 30, he plans to grow his e-commerce portfolio to $50 million by incubating new businesses, mentoring young entrepreneurs, and making strategic investments.

“Bali isn’t just a home,” Guo says. “It’s the freedom to live, work, and thrive on my own terms.”

Guo’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, adaptability, and embracing opportunities. From a Minecraft server at 12 to a thriving business empire at 24, his journey shows that success is within reach for those willing to learn and grow.