YuKassa analysts, a service from YuMoney that processes online and offline payments, spoke with a broad group of entrepreneurs to uncover what truly shapes their lifestyles. Socialbites.ca examined the findings of this study, synthesizing the voices of those who build and run businesses across different sectors.
When asked to define success, respondents could select multiple criteria. Only a small share, 5 percent, tied success to popularity alongside wealth and power. A slightly larger portion, 12 percent, equated success with steadily climbing the career ladder, while 17 percent believed being well known in the business world counts as a sign of achievement.
By far the largest group, 70 percent, linked success with earning money from work they love, ideally turning a passion into a source of income. Financial independence followed, cited by 65 percent, and 58 percent highlighted health, family, and love as important markers. Running a business or managing others also matters to many, with 40 percent describing those who lead teams or own ventures as successful. A comparable segment, 38 percent, equated success with the freedom to rest and travel, and 24 percent pointed to revenue or turnover as a measure of success.
Another 39 percent emphasized doing what one loves as the formula for success, while 24 percent argued for a balanced life that includes work, family, leisure, and sports. One participant pointed to intellectual productivity as a core component of success, underscoring that intellectual effort matters as much as outcomes.
Regarding personal traits that support entrepreneurial success, 78 percent highlighted determination and responsibility, followed by 49 percent who value focus, and 47 percent who stress hard work. About a quarter saw resilience as essential, and 22 percent valued the ability to save money. A minority of respondents suggested that confidence and candor with oneself and customers are important, while others called out discipline, analytical thinking, and delivering tangible results. Several entrepreneurs noted the benefit of learning from others by studying competitors and avoiding their mistakes.
Most of the entrepreneurs interviewed devote time to hobbies alongside work, family, personal growth, and health. Yet only a minority, 15 percent, reported that all these needs are completely satisfied in their lives. When asked about a life balance wheel with multiple possible areas, 30 percent indicated that several areas remain unfinished, including hobbies, health, and love. About 19 percent lean strongly toward career and self-education, 17 percent lack time for spiritual development and health, and 16 percent wish to spend more time with family at home. A smaller group, 12 percent, said finance and career take precedence, with hobbies and cultural development pushed aside for now.
Family support also features prominently. More than half of the respondents, 53 percent, acknowledged that their families helped them along the path to success, while 39 percent rely solely on themselves. Only 4 percent trust partners and 2 percent depend on friends or colleagues for support. The study paints a broad picture of how entrepreneurs balance ambition with personal life and the practical realities of building and sustaining a business across diverse contexts.[citation: YuKassa study results, compiled by socialbites.ca]
These insights reflect a modern view where achieving success is not a single destination but a mosaic of earnings, passion, independence, health, relationships, and personal growth. Entrepreneurs who rise to meet today’s challenges often combine a clear sense of purpose with practical planning, leveraging networks, and a willingness to learn from others. The results suggest that success is deeply personal and varies across individuals, yet common threads—determination, balance, and ongoing learning—emerge as durable predictors of long-term progress. For those starting a new venture, the findings offer a map of priorities and mindsets that can help shape a sustainable, gratifying path. The study highlights how the interplay between personal values and practical outcomes defines achievement in the contemporary business landscape.