I Was A Millionaire By Age 26 and You Can Be Too

For many young adult Americans, the struggle is real: the seemingly endless cycle of living from paycheck to paycheck, working multiple jobs to pay off debt, and all the bills piling up.

This is something I myself had struggled with. Before I created www.itsemily.com, I was counting pennies and wondering how I'd put food on my own table. But I knew it wasn't the way I wanted to live, and I worked hard to make my situation better.

Eventually, I turned my whole life around and made my first million at the age of 26. I often get asked how I made this happen. Well, to tell you how I did it, I have to go right back to where it all started.

My name is Emily Vavra and I am an LA-based wellness leader. When I was 23, I was in Minnesota and working three jobs: as a massage therapist, as an assistant at a plastic surgeon's office, and as a nanny. It wasn't until I made a new friend who made me realize that life could be so much better—they were living exactly the kind of life I wanted for myself. From there, I found my dream, and I promised myself I'd make it happen.

"You really think you can do this, even though you didn't go to college?" I knew my friends were just looking out for me, but I was determined, and I believed I had the strength and capability to persevere.

My friend showed me that it was possible to be my own boss, and I began taking control of my own schedule, going places, and focusing on my passion, which is health and wellness. We moved in together, and I started taking concrete steps towards my dream. I set up a small office in our living room, put together a vision board, and wrote myself a cheque for one million dollars. I was owning it.

From there, I started putting together the building blocks of my network marketing business. For the first few years of my hustle, I focused entirely on work, lived frugally, and spent the money I had towards self-improvement and personal development. I bought second-hand clothes to wear to business meetings because I was determined to pour all of that money into making myself better. I bought books on entrepreneurship and leadership and consulted with mentors who were experts in different fields: spiritual, business, and fitness.

I had to take out the parts of my life that weren't essential to my goal, so I could make room for what was important. I never went to Happy Hour. I didn't even think about dating!

I set up a small office in our living room, put together a vision board, and wrote myself a cheque for one million dollars. I was owning it.

Developing my grit and resourcefulness was key. One time, my credit card got declined at the first event I went to, but I managed to get three women to listen to my pitch for a business.

I was driving a purple Saturn car, and I would drive to meetings and park far away because I wanted to make a good impression while pitching a business. I even drove through snow storms just to make sure I didn't keep my clients waiting.

One time, I had a girl's night with a group of friends from high school at my home. All of them went to great colleges, and I was the only one who didn't. They saw my vision board with the $1 million cheque on it. My big, hairy, audacious dreams were met with resistance and concern. One of them said, "You really think you can do this, even though you didn't go to college?" I knew my friends were just looking out for me, but I was determined, and I believed I had the strength and capability to persevere.

My family was also concerned about my state then. I was the only one among my siblings who didn't go to college. Still, I kept on assuring them that I was okay and I was on my way to something much bigger.

All my hard work has paid off. Aside from making my first million in just three years, what gives me the most fulfillment is the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of other people. I'm very proud to have helped more than 150,000 people develop wealth and financial freedom while enjoying better health and achieving physical transformations.

I want people to know that yes, it's possible to have it all.

My mission for those I work with is to help them build a vision for their lives and then come up with a strategic game plan to achieve what they want.

I've also had the honor to work with people such as Tony Robbins and Richard Branson. I also launched my own clothing line which I call Come as You Are.

In addition, I have helped more than 40 families build a full-time income. It makes me happy to be able to help people design a plan for their lives and help them find ways to make more money to finance their goals, whether it be a college education, a new car, or a new house, or retirement.

I also launched a website called It's Emily, where I compile resources on a variety of topics aimed at helping people become 1% better, including life, financial literacy, productivity, health, fitness, network marketing, and other lifestyle trends.

Ultimately, I dream of having more and more people find fulfillment and be able to live well. I dream of my clients and audiences being able to achieve financial freedom because life is short and everyone should be enjoying it to the fullest. I want people to know that yes, it's possible to have it all.

Curious to learn how you can also make your first million? Visit Emily Vavra's website at www.itsemily.com!