{"id":146580,"date":"2022-11-15T11:35:44","date_gmt":"2022-11-15T10:35:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=146580"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:26:30","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:26:30","slug":"hopefully-we-could-all-be-elon-musk-someday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2022\/11\/15\/hopefully-we-could-all-be-elon-musk-someday\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Hopefully we could all be Elon Musk someday’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Erasmus University student Valeriya Minaeva (24) received a message via LinkedIn asking if she would be interested in handling the PR for an American blockchain company. This turned out to be the start of her successful six-figure business, which now has her jet-setting all over the world.<\/p>

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Valeriya Minaeva took a risk when she moved from Russia to Rotterdam for her Communication and Media programme. She was eighteen years old. Her parents had financial troubles, so she had to come up with the 7,000 euros per year in tuition fees herself. It was money she didn\u2019t have and didn\u2019t know how she was going to pay.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\u2018In my head I was constantly thinking about how I would pay for everything. I didn\u2019t go out and I spent as little money as possible\u2019\n\t<\/blockquote>\n\n\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

At that time, she had a full-time communications job at a Russian blockchain company. She was able to continue doing that remotely, earning around 1,300 to 1,500 euros per month. In Rotterdam, she paid 800 euros for a shared flat. \u201cIn my head I was constantly thinking about how I would pay for everything. I didn\u2019t go out and I spent as little money as possible. I tried to save every cent I had left for my tuition fees.\u201d<\/p>\n

The first few years in Rotterdam are a contrast with what would happen later on. At the end of her second year, Valeriya received a message via LinkedIn. An American blockchain company she had never heard of asked if she would be interested in handling its marketing and PR for an initial one-off payment of 7,500 dollar. \u201cThe blockchain world is very small,\u201d Valeriya explains why the company chose her of all people. \u201cBecause of the high compensation, I asked two acquaintances to help me.\u201d She set up a business and the American company became a regular client. This brought in 7,500 dollar to Valeriya\u2019s brand-new business every month.<\/p>\n

Since then, Valeriya\u2019s company has grown into a six-figure business \u2013 earning a total revenue of 100,000 euros or more \u2013 with seven employees across the globe.<\/p>\n

Insights<\/h2>\n\t
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\n\t\t\u2018I no longer worry about paying my rent. Instead I focus on creativity, people and travelling the world\u2019\n\t<\/blockquote>\n\n\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

\u201cMaking money is no longer the main goal now that I can provide for my basic needs,\u201d Valeriya says. \u201cI no longer worry about paying my rent. Instead I focus on creativity, people and travelling the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

She owes her success in part to her structured planning. In recent years, she has lived according to a tight schedule. She was also willing to put her social life aside. While other students were making friends and lounging at the park, Valeriya was usually working at home. \u201cThe support from professors was essential. It wasn\u2019t so much that they helped me with my business, but many of them gave me the freedom to focus on my pursuits outside the university,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd it\u2019s a good thing they did. All students are on their own after they graduate, so it would be crazy to limit our development while we\u2019re at university. \u201c<\/p>\n

The lesson she learned: \u2018The people you know the least can have the biggest impact.\u2019 If Valeriya hadn\u2019t received a message from the American company, her life would have turned out very differently. She urges people to boldly choose the unknown. \u201cYour family and friends will not seriously change your life. Strangers can do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

The future<\/h2>

Despite the fact that making money is not her main goal, Valeriya would like to earn 1 million euro per month in the future. \u201cIt\u2019s about the game. Then you also get the chance to help others and create opportunities for them. I\u2019ve never actually thought about the impact that billionaires have, but I\u2019m convinced that we could all be Elon Musk someday.\u201d<\/p>\n\t

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Income: between 15,000 euros and more. \u201cEvery month is different.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rent & utilities: That was 1,700 euros for an apartment in Beurs. \u201cI don\u2019t know if I\u2019ll go back to Rotterdam. I cancelled my rent and now I don\u2019t have a permanent place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Groceries: \u201cI\u2019m chaotic with my finances. I don\u2019t know how much I spend on food, but I never cook. That way I save time. I order food twice a day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eating out\/going out: \u201cI like going to good restaurants.\u201d<\/p>\n

Worst purchase: \u201cI regularly sign up for courses because I want to keep learning, but then I don\u2019t have time and I don\u2019t show up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Last major expense: \u201cA handbag that cost 2,500 euros.\u201d<\/p>\n

Saving for: \u201cI\u2019d really like to buy a house for my mother someday.\u201d<\/p>\n

Absolutely does not want to cut back on: Food<\/p>\n

Investments: \u201cThey\u2019re currently worth about 200,000 euros. Those prices fluctuate and I don\u2019t worry too much about the dips on the stock market. I invest for the long term with money that I can afford to lose. I also invest in cryptocurrency, but I don\u2019t give advice about investments.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

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