Early Foundations and Mindset Shift
Kim grew up in a low-income household, which instilled in him a complex relationship with money—seeing it as both a source of stress and a tool for empowerment. 12 In his early 20s, he worked a standard tech job but felt unfulfilled. Around 2010, he quit to pursue street photography full-time, traveling the world and documenting his experiences without an initial focus on monetization. 10 This bold decision was rooted in treating his life like a startup: betting on himself as his highest-ROI asset, rather than traditional investments like stocks (which he advises against, arguing they rarely make people truly rich). 11 12 He emphasized self-investment—buying books, tools like cameras, or experiences that fuel growth—over chasing quick gains.
His philosophy: Money is a byproduct of passion and value creation, not the goal. He flooded the internet with free content (blog posts, tips, and photos) to build trust and a community, viewing prolific output as key to dominance. 10 11 This mindset helped him avoid common pitfalls like debt (which he calls “slavery”) and consumerism, opting instead for minimalism—one of everything, no upgrades unless essential. 12
Building a Business Empire
Kim monetized his brand by diversifying income streams around his photography ethos:
- Content and Education: Started with a blog in 2010, offering free street photography resources, which led to sold-out global workshops emphasizing philosophy over technique. 10 He expanded to online courses, eBooks, and YouTube videos on conquering fear, minimal gear, and life advice.
- Products and E-Commerce: Launched his own line of camera straps, bags, books, and digital downloads via platforms like Shopify. These were scalable, low-overhead items tied to his minimalist brand. 10
- Additional Revenue: Affiliates, sponsorships, donations, and consulting. He charged premium prices for services, overvaluing his work to boost profitability. 10 12
By living frugally—e.g., basing himself in low-cost places like Vietnam while earning Western rates, avoiding ads and malls to curb desires—he maximized savings and reinvested in his ventures. 12 He advocates earning more through side hustles (like blogging during lunch breaks) before going full-time, and always having a Plan B.
The Crypto Turning Point
Around the mid-2010s, Kim began exploring Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, initially philosophically—as a tool for trust, commerce, and internet profitability without ads. 13 14 15 His strategy: Invest only what you can afford to lose, assuming it could go to zero. 13 By 2024-2025, this paid off massively; he became a “crypto millionaire,” integrating it into his brand (e.g., accepting crypto for photos or workshops) and using tools like Coinbase debit cards for practical spending. 15 16 23 This shift amplified his wealth, allowing financial independence while aligning with his views on self-ownership and freedom from traditional systems.
Overall, Kim’s success stems from relentless creation, providing genuine value, and a “wealth mindset” of contentment and calculated risks—evolving from a broke photographer to a self-made millionaire by owning his time, art, and destiny. 11 12 He sums it up: Chase truth and creativity, and money follows.