‘There were hard times for our family’: This artist’s daughter from California grew up with very little money — now she’s worth $22M. How to build wealth with Emma Chamberlain’s DIY approach

Her journey wasn’t paved with financial security, though, as she grew up in. “I’ve always been the one who struggled financially,” Chamberlain told Forbes. “My dad is an artist, and he got sick for a little bit and couldn’t paint, so there were hard times for our family.”

From growing up in a family struggling to make ends meet, Chamberlain learned to navigate her finances and entrepreneurship on her own, just as she taught herself to build a digital following.

Now worth an estimated $22 million, Chamberlain’s DIY approach — whether mastering social media or launching a brand — offers a blueprint for building wealth without a financial safety net.

Personal brand as a startup

In 2019, Chamberlain took control of her entrepreneurial journey, launching Chamberlain Coffee with the backing of UTA Ventures, a division of the United Talent Agency. They specialize in helping creators grow their brands into businesses.

According to the 2022-2023 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report, entrepreneurial activity reached an all-time high, with 18% of women and 20% of men engaged in starting or running a business.

Chamberlain’s ability to leverage her digital following and align her brand with values such as sustainability, ethical sourcing and high-quality products has resonated with her young, socially conscious audience.

“I’ve always been obsessed with coffee as a product,” Chamberlain told Forbes. “So I had this vision and I was like, ‘Hopefully I’m qualified enough to do it.’”

As social commerce is projected to reach $80 billion by 2025, with 61% of U.S. adults under 25 making purchases directly through social platforms, Chamberlain demonstrates how using her online following has transformed her passion project into a thriving, purpose-driven business.

Mastering new skills

When Chamberlain first debuted on the YouTube scene, it was a creative outlet, teaching herself how to edit videos and evolving from a DIY creator to showcasing her witty, sarcastic persona.

But her talents evolved beyond content creation. One of the driving forces behind Chamberlain Coffee’s success is her commitment to self-education, learning the ins and outs of the coffee business to deliver a product her audience will love.

While her expertise remains rooted in creativity — where she oversees the brand’s aesthetic and marketing — Chamberlain has pivoted to mastering the business strategy.

“I’ve become so interested in every single part of [it],” she told Forbes, adding that she’s even involved in shaping the retail and sales strategy.

According to Gallup research on leadership, individuals who rank high in the area of Learner not only equip themselves to handle the unknown but also provide stability through continuous education.