The Team
Marcus Lo
I grew up in Pebble Beach, California, where life taught me to be resilient from an early age. My mother passed away from cervical cancer when I was just four years old, and my father—a dedicated dermatologist—raised me until he too lost his battle with cancer years later. Losing both parents forced me to grow up fast and define success on my own terms.
Wrestling and entrepreneurship became my anchors. At Carmel High School, I took every opportunity I could—leading clubs, enrolling in dual credit and AP courses, and helping classmates apply for scholarships. Those early efforts paid off: I earned a full scholarship to the University of Southern California, where I completed both a B.S. in Accounting and an M.S. in Finance in just four years.
College wasn’t just about academics—it was a proving ground. While balancing a full course load, I launched and scaled Venturway, a global management and CPA consulting firm, helping clients across industries build strategic clarity and drive growth. I also train in MMA, manage a real estate portfolio, and mentor students from underserved communities in entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
Today, I live in Los Angeles and remain committed to empowering students to take control of their education and their future. Whether through my consulting work, my travels, or my writing, my mission is simple: make real-world success more accessible—especially for those who weren’t handed the roadmap.
Marshall Boen
Marcus Lo and I wrote this book to share the strategies we wish we had when starting college. Ways to save time, cut costs, and build a strong foundation for life after graduation.
When I began college, my goal was simple: graduate in two years instead of four, and do it at half the cost. Most people thought it was impossible. I was just an 18-year-old with learning disabilities, autism, and an average IQ. I had no transfer credits and struggled with math, writing, and foreign languages. But I worked hard, graduated with honors from Stevenson High School in Pebble Beach, and started college in fall 2020.
I took 27 credits most semesters, worked part-time in my family’s real estate business, and trained over 20 hours a week for triathlons—completing two 140.6-mile Ironman races. In spring 2022, I became the fastest graduate in the University of Tampa's history, earning a B.S. in Entrepreneurship with a 3.98 GPA.
Several professors encouraged me to write a book about hacking the college process to help future students. After years of research, our book is now available to help the next generation of students succeed in college and beyond.
Today, I live in Tampa, Florida, manage my family’s real estate portfolio, and take on ultra-endurance challenges around the world. Marcus and I continue to work together to help students and business owners reach their biggest goals.
