Storytelling Wednesday: The Rise of Iman Gadzhi

From Humble Beginnings to Self-Made Success

🚨 MARKET HIGHLIGHTS šŸšØ

•Fed Moves: The Fed cuts rates by 0.25%—borrowing just got a little cheaper, but don’t expect a ton more cuts anytime soon. šŸ¦
• Bullish Vibes: Investor sentiment is soaring—stocks and financials are raking in record inflows. šŸ“Š
• Tech Bounce: Nvidia (+4.3%) makes a strong comeback, while Tesla’s stock is still riding the rollercoaster. šŸŽ¢
• Global Action: Merger talks between Nissan & Honda are sparking a lot of chatter. 🚘

šŸ”® What to Watch
• Will the Fed keep cutting? They're hinting at fewer cuts in 2025—markets are starting to feel the tension.
• Big data drops next week: inflation & jobs data could give us some clues about the economy’s next move. šŸ•µļøā€ā™‚ļø

Keep your eyes peeled. The markets are dancing, but things could slow down soon. šŸŽ¶

Good afternoon, and welcome back to ToTheUnknown,
The newsletter that’s better at storytelling than your grandmother’s campfire tales. šŸ”„

Today isn’t just another day where I hit you with the latest news or help you make sense of the crazy world of finance, crypto, and beyond.

Today… is STORYTELLING DAY!

And oooh boy, have I got a story for you.

This isn’t just any story. This is the story of Iman Gadzhi—one of the most influential figures of our generation. A guy who went from a rough start in life to building an empire, helping thousands (if not millions) of young people realize their purpose, take control of their lives, and make things happen.

But here’s the kicker: Iman’s story isn’t just his own. It’s packed with life lessons, grit, and inspiration that you can apply to your own journey—whether you’re building a business, chasing financial freedom, or just trying to figure out life.

And guess what? This is just the beginning. I’ll be back every Wednesday with another incredible story to light that fire inside you. šŸ”„

Burning Tom Hanks GIF by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

So, buckle up. You’re about to discover how one young man turned struggle into success, starting from scratch.

Let’s dive in. 

šŸ‘¶ 0-10 Years: The Early Struggles

Iman Gadzhi was born on January 3, 2000, in Dagestan, a small region in Russia. Life wasn’t easy from the start. He was raised by a single mother after his father left the family when Iman was just a baby. Growing up, money was tight, and the weight of responsibility fell heavily on his mom’s shoulders.

At age 3, his mother decided to move them to London for a better life. But starting over wasn’t a fairy tale. Iman recalls living in less-than-ideal apartments, watching his mom struggle to make ends meet while he attended school.

Lesson: Early struggles might feel like setbacks, but they teach resilience. Iman grew up understanding what hard work and sacrifice truly looked like.

šŸ‘¦ 11-16 Years: The Turning Point

School in London wasn’t much better for Iman. He didn’t fit into the traditional education system—he struggled to focus, hated most subjects, and often questioned the point of it all. Teachers called him unmotivated. But Iman had bigger dreams that couldn’t fit inside a classroom.

Around age 14, Iman discovered a passion for reading, business, and self-education. He devoured books like "Rich Dad Poor Dad" and began learning about money, freedom, and entrepreneurship. He realized one key thing: if he wanted to change his life and take care of his mom, the ā€œstandard pathā€ wasn’t for him.

The Big Break: Iman started to explore business ideas. At 16, he stumbled upon the idea of running a social media marketing agency (SMMA). He borrowed his mom’s money to buy an online course and dove headfirst into the business world.

šŸ‘Øā€šŸ’» 16-18 Years: Building the Dream

Iman dropped out of high school at 17—a bold and controversial decision. He believed his future wasn’t in textbooks but in building his own business empire. Most people thought he was crazy, but Iman’s vision kept him going.

Starting from Nothing: 

His first few months running his SMMA were tough. He faced rejection after rejection. He cold-called businesses all day and all night, often hearing "NO" or being hung up on.

But he didn’t quit.

Iman realized the value of persistence. He refined his sales skills, improved his pitch, and landed his first client: a local gym. From there, the snowball effect began. More clients followed, and Iman’s agency, IAG Media,started growing.

By the age of 18, he had built a six-figure business, bought his mom her dream home, and proved everyone wrong.

Lesson: Success comes from consistency and grit. Iman faced countless rejections but learned that every "NO" brought him closer to a "YES."

šŸ‘Øā€šŸ¦± 18-21 Years: Scaling Up

Iman didn’t stop there. While running IAG Media, he realized he could help others achieve similar success. He launched Grow Your Agency, an online platform teaching people how to build their own SMMA businesses. His goal? To help others gain financial freedom without relying on traditional education or jobs.

This move solidified Iman as not just a businessman but also a mentor and educator. His story began to spread across YouTube, Instagram, and beyond. He shared his struggles, his wins, and his lessons—inspiring millions to take action and build their own paths.

Key Focus: Iman doubled down on self-improvement. He continued reading, learning, and building better habits. From meditation to fitness to masterminds, he invested heavily in himself to keep growing.

Lesson: Investing in yourself is the highest ROI. Iman knew that personal growth fuels business success.

šŸ‘Øā€šŸ¦± 22-Present: A Global Inspiration

Today, Iman Gadzhi is a multi-millionaire entrepreneur, investor, and role model for the next generation. He’s built multiple businesses, traveled the world, and given his mom the life she deserves—all before the age of 25.

But what makes Iman stand out is his message: freedom. He teaches people to take control of their lives, break free from the 9-5 system, and build something they’re proud of. Whether through his YouTube content, Instagram posts, or courses, Iman continues to inspire millions to chase financial freedom.

šŸ¤“ What Can We Learn From Iman?

  1. Traditional paths aren’t the only paths: If school or a 9-5 isn’t for you, that’s okay—but you need to work harder to carve your own way.

  2. Rejection is part of the process: Every successful person has been told ā€œnoā€ countless times. Keep going.

  3. Invest in yourself: Books, mentors, fitness, and self-improvement are keys to success.

  4. Give back: Iman’s mission to help others succeed is a testament to true leadership.

Final Takeaway: Your Life is in Your Hands 🫵 

Iman Gadzhi’s journey is proof that where you start doesn’t define where you end up. A kid from Dagestan, raised by a single mom, built a multi-million-dollar empire because he dared to dream bigger and take action.

So, whether you’re 15 or 50, remember this: Your circumstances don’t limit you—your mindset does.

Stay tuned for next week’s Storytelling Wednesday as we uncover another inspiring figure. šŸ”„

ā

"The biggest risk in life is not taking one." – Iman Gadzhi

I didn’t quite nail the humor this time, but if you want me to make it funnier, like I do in my newsletter posts, just hit me up on X!

Catch you next week!

Off to bed now 🄱

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