A Day in the Life of Lucy Guo, the World’s Youngest Self-Made Female Billionaire
Lucy Guo, the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire, starts her day at 6pm London time, which is 10am in Los Angeles where she resides. She logs onto a Zoom call precisely on time, showing her disciplined approach to managing her busy schedule. Despite her hectic routine, Lucy finds time for unexpected moments, such as her two cats, Chili and Sega, waking her up at 5am, just 30 minutes before her planned wake-up time.
Her morning begins with an unusual incident—Chili was “pooping very heavily,” creating a strong smell in her room. Lucy, with a smile that never leaves her face, recalls this event with a sense of humor. The robot comparison fits well since Lucy built her fortune through Scale AI, an artificial intelligence data-labelling company she founded in 2016 at the age of 21. By the time she turned 30, she had amassed a billion dollars.
Lucy explains that AI companies needed significant funds for training data, emphasizing the importance of high-quality data. “If the data says the sky is red, AI doesn’t know that it’s not true,” she notes. After leaving the company with a 5% stake, her shares were valued at $25 billion, giving her a cut worth approximately $1.2 billion. While she jokes about wishing for liquid cash, Lucy remains focused on her next ventures.
A Rigorous Routine and Work Ethic
After her early morning disturbance, Lucy heads to Barry’s Bootcamp, a notoriously tough fitness class, for a double workout. She admits to feeling lazy compared to her previous triple workouts. Later, she visits her 25,000 sqft office on Melrose Avenue, where she works until 8pm without taking a lunch break. Instead, she orders food via Uber Eats, ensuring it’s internal so she avoids judgment.
Lucy’s day continues late into the evening, with work at home and occasional late-night dancing with friends. She credits her genetics for not needing much sleep, a trait she attributes to her parents. Her relentless work ethic is evident, as she admits that the concept of an off day doesn’t make sense to her.
Motivation and Business Ventures
Despite her wealth, Lucy remains driven by her passion for using her brain. She tried retirement but found it unfulfilling. Her motivation comes from the thrill of building and growing businesses. She mentions that her first reaction to becoming a billionaire was “LOL,” highlighting her laid-back attitude toward her achievements.
Lucy’s business journey began with Scale AI, but she didn’t stop there. In 2022, she launched Passes, a creator-driven platform that allows creators to earn money through merchandise, live streaming, or subscriptions. She compares it to Patreon rather than OnlyFans, emphasizing its focus on supporting creators. However, the platform faced controversy with a class-action lawsuit, which the company dismissed as baseless.
Early Influences and Family Dynamics
Lucy’s entrepreneurial spirit started in childhood, influenced by her parents’ values of making money. She recalls trading Pokémon cards on the playground, selling better ones for more money. Her parents, Chinese immigrants, had different expectations for her, hoping she would become a pharmacist to have a balanced life. However, Lucy chose to study computer science and human-computer interaction, eventually dropping out to pursue her dreams.
Her parents still hope for grandchildren, joking about finding sperm donors. Lucy acknowledges the challenges of dating someone as driven as her, admitting that her arrogance can be intimidating. She sees this as a necessary trait for success, believing that founders need to be confident to push through long hours and tough challenges.
Work Ethic and Ethical Approach
Lucy maintains a strict work ethic, working every day, including weekends and holidays. She finds it confusing that others might not feel the same way, noting that emails are just emails. She considers herself an ethical billionaire, investing in other people’s businesses through Backend Capital, a venture capital firm. Lucy believes in helping others and maintaining basic human decency.
She also embraces spiritual beliefs, such as manifestation, stating that if you believe in something strongly enough, it will come to fruition. Her lifestyle is filled with adventures, from skydiving to collecting Pokémon cards and luxury properties. However, she avoids expensive brands like Hermès, preferring practicality over status symbols.
Future Outlook and Impact
Lucy is excited about the future of AI, believing it will make jobs more efficient, allowing people to focus on creative tasks. She expects more women to achieve similar success, hoping that her title as the youngest self-made female billionaire will soon be taken by someone else. For Lucy, the future is bright, and she remains committed to her work and vision.
As our conversation ends, Lucy moves on to her next appointment, providing detailed feedback to the Passes design team. It’s clear that her work never stops, and neither does she.