
Inside Forbes 30 Under 30: The Truth About Making the List
From Just Grow With It with Natalie Barbu by Natalie Barbu
December 22, 2025 · 40 min
About this episode
This episode features a conversation with Zoya Hasan, who shares insights about the Forbes 30 Under 30 selection process and the realities behind the list.
Ever wondered what it really takes to make the Forbes 30 Under 30 list? In this candid conversation, we sit down with Zoya Hasan, Forbes editor and curator of the iconic list, to uncover the real process, the myths, and the hustle behind the headlines. From her journey as a chemistry major to leading one of the most competitive lists in the world, Soya shares insider stories, the importance of resilience, and why not everything you hear about Forbes 30 Under 30 is true. Whether you’re an aspiring founder, a young professional, or just curious about what goes on behind the scenes, this episode is packed with insights on entrepreneurship, hustle culture, and the power of networking. We also dive into the infamous “under 30 to prison pipeline,” the role of diversity, and what makes a founder truly stand out. 00:00 Intro 02:39 Interview Begins: Zoya's Journey to Forbes 06:39 The Real Forbes 30 Under 30 Selection Process 14:39 Debunking Myths: Can You Pay to Get on the List? 22:39 What Makes a Standout Founder & The Role of Hustle Culture 32:39 Zoya's Advice for Aspiring Founders & Closing Thoughts Follow Zoya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/byzoyahasan/ Thanks to Squarespace for…
People in this episode
Host: Natalie Barbu
Guest: Zoya Hasan
Topics covered
- Forbes 30 Under 30
- entrepreneurship
- hustle culture
- networking
- diversity
- founder advice
Keywords
- Forbes 30 Under 30
- Zoya Hasan
- entrepreneurship
- hustle culture
- founder advice
- networking
- diversity
Sponsors
Squarespace
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Forbes
More episodes of Just Grow With It with Natalie Barbu
- The marketing strategy that took us from $0 to $3M (it's not what you think) · April 30, 2026 · 14 min
- You need to stop using ChatGPT and switch to these instead... 👀 · March 25, 2026 · 22 min
- if you're a founder NOT building a personal brand... you're already losing 😬 · March 12, 2026 · 11 min
- stop being a 'lifestyle creator' 🥴 and start making REAL money by doing this... 💵 · March 6, 2026 · 14 min
- IM ENGAGED! 💍✨ was I surprised?, having a small wedding, and where we are moving! · February 26, 2026 · 21 min
- I create a month's worth of content in JUST A FEW HOURS 📅 ⏰ here's my entire content creation system · February 19, 2026 · 22 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Just Grow With It with Natalie Barbu podcast page.