A $2B Healthcare CEO Says Paying Off $100K in Student Loans Was When He Finally Felt Rich

Core Insights - The CEO of Virta Health, Sami Inkinen, emphasizes that true wealth is defined by financial freedom rather than net worth, illustrated by his experience of paying off $100,000 in student debt [1][5]. Company Overview - Virta Health is a healthcare company currently valued at $2 billion, led by Sami Inkinen, who has a history of founding successful companies, including two unicorns [1][5]. Personal Journey - Inkinen's path to financial freedom began with the sale of secondary shares worth $500,000 in 2008, which allowed him to eliminate his student debt and invest in personal items [2]. - Despite a lucrative job offer from McKinsey, Inkinen chose entrepreneurship, significantly contributing to the growth of Trulia, which was acquired by Zillow for $3.5 billion in 2015 [3]. Philosophical Perspective - Inkinen believes that money does not equate to happiness and prefers a minimalist lifestyle, indicating that financial success does not dictate personal fulfillment [4][5].