- Sylvia Kang, 40, is a multimillionaire living in the Gulf area.
- Her success and wealth in business have strained her relationship with her friends.
- Now it focuses on people with shared hobbies, even if she can’t share everything with them.
This strong essay — to based on a conversation with Sylvia kingfounder and CEO of BEttEr. Hasten edited for length and clarity.
I founded Mira, a women’s hormone health company in 2018. The company really got up during Covid-19, and became a millionaire about three years ago. Today I am 40 years old, and I am a multimillionaire.
Despite this, I still live in a three -bedroom house in a middle -class neighborhood with my son and husband. I like to keep a low profile life. I run a Tesla Model 3, but it has more to do with comfort than luxury-self-directing makes my life easier.
Although I try to live modestly, my wealth and business success have had a great impact on my friendships. I had a lot of close friends with whom I could talk about nothing. But these days, I have no person with whom I can share all aspects of my life.
Friends treat me more officially because of my success
As my wealth and business profile have grown, I have noticed that my friends perceive me differently. People seem to respect me more, which makes them act officially. We no longer assemble with a quarrel or catch a bite to eat. Instead, friends think they need to schedule things well or book a fancy restaurant. Something that should be casual and entertainment has become an event.
It is not the fault of all my friends. It is also harder for me to connect with them because much of the attention and mental energy are dedicated to my company. My friends and I talked to get promotions, looking for a rise, or deal with our men and children. I can still think of my husband and son, but my daily running of a company is very different from my friends working for someone else.
Some friends want me to be their mentor. This can make things feel biased. Other people are really curious about my life. Even then, talking to them is difficult because running a business is so complex. I tend to give them a short update when they ask, then return the conversation to them.
I have friends in different areas of my life
I talked to my therapist about this loss of connection. She told me that no one will be able to meet all my needs. I will not have that best friend who understands all aspects of my life.
On the contrary, I have many friends and familiar with whom I can share hobbies. I have people with whom I can go up, or discuss my meditation practice. When I want to speak business, I turn to the mentors and acquaintances. Other young entrepreneurs understand aspects of my life that people who have not started a company would not receive.
I can retire but my work gives me a goal
The more money I earn, the less interested I am at the expense. I was motivated by material things: I thought I had to have the right designer bag or ornate car to show my status. Part of this was because, as an Asian woman who emigrated to the US, I had to look and act a certain way to attract investors in my business.
Now that I have started a successful business, I have grown safer. I know who I am, and I don’t feel the need to try to anyone.
So, instead of buying luxury items to show my wealth, I spend only on things that bring me spiritual joy. I like to visit historical sites in Greece and Italy and make a trip to Turkey planned this year. I have walked to Patagon and I have an excursion to New Zealand coming.
If I would like to retire and not work anymore, I could probably be able to beat. However, my work – improving women’s health – is what gives me fulfillment. After realizing this, achieving financial freedom became less attractive than I had imagined before.