The Storytelling Lab The Billion-Person Mission That Started With Bankruptcy with David Meltzer
Dec 15, 2025
David Meltzer, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, shares his incredible journey from losing $100 million to empowering a billion people to find happiness. He reframes failure as a catalyst for personal growth and emphasizes the importance of vulnerability in building trust. Meltzer discusses his mission-based approach to success, shedding light on how mistakes shape us and why joy should be at the heart of business. He also explores the power of storytelling in driving impact and fostering real connections.
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Mission Over Title
- David Meltzer identifies as mission-driven: help people make money, help them use it to help others, and have fun.
- He argues that making money, serving others, and enjoying life together reliably produces happiness.
Bank Account Defined His Worth
- David remembers measuring self-worth by his bank account and panicking when balances moved.
- He lost over $100 million and later rebuilt, which reframed how he defines success.
Competitive Roots In A Big Family
- Growing up in a large family with a single mom, David found less sibling competition in sports and money.
- He became competitive in athletics to stand out and learned resilience from that environment.
