Lucy Guo, the 30-year-old billionaire and CEO of Passes, has achieved what many strive for at 50. Her $1.3 billion net worth does not entitle her to a life of luxury and comfort. As per a CNBC report, she swears by a relentless work ethic and a strict daily routine.
The California-based tech founder’s Scale AI wrapped up a deal with Meta in April, which took the valuation to $25 billion. The youngest in her league, her self-made success silenced several critiques, as she shone past billionaire pop-star Taylor Swift.
‘9 AM to 9 PM, that’s work-life balance’
The Silicon Valley techie advocated working 24 hours a day, 6 days a week. Guo was also heard affirming China’s 996 work culture, which included working 9 AM to 9 PM. Commenting on this, Guo opined that she still considered this a work-life balance. “You don’t need sleep from nine to nine. That’s a ridiculous amount of sleep,” she added.
‘My pre-money and post-money life hasn’t really changed’
Guo told CNBC in an interview that she felt the same as the little girl before making it big in the world of AI. Holding less than 5% stake in Scale AI, after quitting in 2018, her stake soared to $1.25 billion after the deal with Meta. Speaking on the trending topic among founders and entrepreneurs, she said, “I think most people could have a work-life balance if they cut out what most people waste their time on when they get back home.” Referring to the endless hours spent scrolling on social media apps, she claimed that that was crucial time, people while away “mindlessly”.
Prioritising optimising the hours in her day, Guo focused on starting her day early. She shared that she wakes up at 5.30 AM and follows a strict workout regimen with two consecutive high-intensity sessions. Lunch breaks were scanty for the founder, as she took meals during meetings due to her hectic schedule, she added.
It’s not like Guo does not enjoy a day off in the week. During this, from noon to 6 pm, she focuses on social engagements but dives back into work after the 6-hour break. Commenting on her work-life balance, Guo noted that she had “more hours in a day” because she was working these long hours. However, she also revealed that sleep wasn’t a priority in her schedule as she would enjoy a night out till 2 AM but still make it to her morning workout at 6 AM.
Guo negated that this schedule included a balance and broke the conventional norms of a billionaire with $1.3 billion to her name, calling the traditional view of work-life balance outdated and unnecessary to achieve success.
