Zaire Allen

Over 10,000 millionaires live in the suburbs where I work. I serve them coffee for $23/hour while hunting for my next multimillion dollar opportunity.

My career’s stalled over the last 2 years. And moving to the US has forced me to find my next thing asap. Whether it’s joining an early stage startup or building my next company, I’ve got to figure it out.

Fortunately at the coffee shop my customers love me. I have a British accent, high energy, and I ask direct questions about their day and how they’re feeling, in a sincere way of course. People love talking about themselves—especially the highly accomplished. Once they're engaged, I listen. Really listen and probe further. Eventually they get curious about the Englishman making their drink.

That's when I mention I taught 1,300+ designers and built partnerships with companies like Google and KPMG. Sometimes I get a business card. Sometimes I get their phone number to talk about ideas and projects.

My goal is simple: show them I can create value with few resources and make it clear the barista apron isn't permanent.

But, I still don't know what I want to do with my career. And I'm accepting that it’s okay. Most of the people I speak to are accidental millionaires; they didn't plan their success, they stumbled into it.

Earlier this month, a construction company owner told me about a technical school project worth $4M+ in year one. He wants my help building it. Before construction he was a programmer in his country. A move to the US pushed forced him into 10 years of carpentry. Today, he builds homes for the ultra-wealthy in the suburbs I work. He figured out that he could get paid more if he sought after the jobs himself and contracted the labor.

I keep hearing stories like this. Maybe it’s survivorship bias, but I see a pattern amongst the wealthy. You may not know your path, but when you’re on one be prepared to leverage more and take on risk. It’s the difference between being a well-paid employee vs a C-suite Exec or a business owner.

Clearly, you never know where life or a few conversations can lead. I’m betting on betting on curiosity to work my way out of this rut.

I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. At 29, after teaching designers for 6 years and running a multi-million dollar company, I still don't. I know I can build something from nothing. I just don't know what I want to build or be a part of building.