Escape 9 to 5
Escape 9 to 5
Lydia.CLinzi
#23 Brian Wong: Escaping Expectations, Burnout & the 9 to 5 Trap ($32M Raise by 24)d
50 minutes Posted Jun 7, 2025 at 9:45 pm.
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What if the success you dreamed of… wasn’t the life you actually wanted?


  • At just 24, Brian Wong raised $32M and was flying private while his friends were still in college. But behind the headlines was a deeper story—about burnout, traditional expectations, and the real meaning of freedom.


  • In this episode, Brian shares how he broke free from the script, what first-time founders often get wrong, and why starting your own company might actually be the *real* job security.


  • 🎙️ We talk about:
  • • Growing up with traditional Asian parents
  • • Founding a startup at 19
  • • Burnout and rediscovering balance
  • • What most founders misunderstand about fundraising
  • • Letting go of the 9 to 5 mindset

  • 🔗 Connect with Brian: https://linkedin.com/in/brianwong
  • 📬 Subscribe to Lydia's newsletter: [Sunday Not Blue link]
  • 🎥 Full video on YouTube: [YouTube episode link]