Emmy Sobieski is a seasoned institutional investor and author who has coached mentees to millions and worked alongside billionaires. We spoke about why so many talented professionals stumble into startups chasing equity that often turns worthless, and how to rethink your career as your most critical investment. The conversation zeroes in on her "Mega Wealth Money Flywheel"—a strategy blending building, investing, and advising in private markets to maximize rewards while slashing risks.

What stands out most is Emmy’s push to treat time as your ultimate currency. “The thing you can’t get back is your time,” she says, urging listeners to stop falling for flattery or incremental pay bumps and start analyzing career moves like an investor would a stock. With 90% of startups failing within five years, she argues the stakes are sky-high—yet so are the opportunities if you play it smart. Her Silicon Valley-honed system isn’t just theory; it’s a practical roadmap for turning your skills into a wealth engine.

We also unpacked her three books—Megawealth, Mega Wealth Careers, and Mega Wealth Investing—which break down how to pick leveraged industries, join boards, and think like an institutional investor. “You can never get your time back,” she repeats, driving home why every job should be a calculated bet on your future. The flywheel concept is clever: seed equity in startups, advise others, and leverage connections so “before you know it, in under 12 months…you have more opportunities than you know what to do with.”

Key Takeaways:

• Time trumps money: Evaluate every career move like it’s your biggest investment, because “you can make your money back” but not the years spent on dead-end equity.
• Beat the 90% failure odds: Focus on startups with real potential by analyzing industries, people, and prospects—not just chasing a friend’s pitch.
• Spin the flywheel: Build at one company, invest in others, and advise strategically to create a self-reinforcing network of opportunities.
• Think like an investor: Merge career and investing strategies into one cohesive plan, because “it’s like two different worlds” otherwise.

This isn’t about gambling on the next unicorn—it’s about stacking the deck so your talent and time pay off big. Emmy’s blend of insider wisdom and actionable steps makes this a must-listen for anyone tired of a graveyard of “dead equity.”