You’ve probably seen the guy on your feed. Julian Petroulas. He’s usually stepping off a private jet in Dubai, wearing a watch that costs more than a suburban house, or scouting a massive plot of land in Bali. It looks like the typical "Instagram rich" life, which naturally makes people skeptical. Is it all smoke and mirrors? Or did he actually figure out a way to print money while the rest of us were grinding a 9-to-5?
The truth is actually a lot more interesting than just "influencer wealth." Julian didn't just stumble into a pile of cash. He’s been a serial entrepreneur since he was literally a child. We're talking about a guy who was making serious moves at 16 while most of us were just trying to pass algebra.
The Early Days: From MySpace to Music Festivals
Honestly, Julian’s story starts with a hustle that feels very 2000s. He started out as a musician on MySpace. For anyone too young to remember, MySpace was the Wild West of the internet. He managed to rack up 25,000 streams—which was huge back then—and became one of the top-played artists in Australia.
But here’s where he differs from most kids with a bit of online fame. He realized early on that being the talent was exhausting. He wanted to be the guy behind the talent.
At 16, he used a small retainer he was getting from MySpace (they paid him just to keep using the platform because Facebook was eating their lunch) and a bit of iTunes money to throw a music festival. He didn't have a business degree. He didn't even have a high school diploma yet. He just knew how to move tickets. He sold 4,000 tickets to that first event.
The Big Exit
By the time he was 20, he had already founded and sold a festival promotions company. That was his first "real" taste of life-changing money. He didn't stop there, though. He took that capital and pivoted into a subscription tech company. This was a platform designed to let fans get closer to celebrities—basically a precursor to the "creator economy" tools we see everywhere today. He sold that too.
The William Singe Era: Making Millions in Management
If you want to know how Julian Petroulas really made his money, you have to talk about William Singe. Will was a former X-Factor contestant who had just left a boy band called The Collective. He was talented but stuck.
Julian, who was just 21 at the time, stepped in as his manager. They were childhood friends, and Julian saw a gap in the market. Instead of chasing traditional radio, they went all-in on social media covers.
- The Strategy: They filmed high-quality covers in Will's bedroom.
- The Result: Billions of views. Literally.
- The Payday: Julian negotiated a massive five-year deal with RCA Records in the US, reportedly worth $2 million.
As the manager, Julian wasn't just taking a small cut. He was producing the tours, writing songs (he’s credited on the hit "Rush"), and even producing documentaries. He did this for multiple artists, including EDM star Timmy Trumpet. When you’re managing nine sold-out world tours, the money stacks up fast.
Crypto, Trading, and the Bali Controversy
After conquering the music world, Julian moved his base to Dubai. This is where the second phase of his wealth comes from: high-stakes investing.
He’s been very vocal about his success in crypto and day trading. While many people lost their shirts in the various crypto winters, Julian claims to have turned his music industry earnings into a multi-million dollar portfolio through aggressive trading and early-stage investments. In 2024, he even posted about dropping $5 million into a single company. That’s not "small fry" money.
The "Bali King" Drama
Recently, things got a bit messy. Julian went viral for claiming he "owned" 1.1 hectares of prime land in Canggu, Bali, and a wildly successful restaurant called Penny Lane.
Indonesian authorities actually banned him briefly because, under Indonesian law, foreigners can’t "own" land freehold. It caused a massive stir. Julian’s legal team had to clarify that he holds leasehold rights (which is how most foreign investors operate in Bali) and that he is a shareholder in the business.
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Regardless of the legal semantics, Penny Lane is a gold mine. It’s one of the most Instagrammed spots in Bali. If you've been to Canggu, you've seen the crowds. That restaurant alone reportedly clears millions in revenue per year.
The Asset Mix: Where the Money Sits Now
Julian doesn't just keep his money in a savings account. His wealth is a diversified (and somewhat volatile) mix:
- Real Estate & Hospitality: He’s heavily invested in physical businesses in Bali, including restaurants, bars, and planned luxury hotels.
- Music Royalties: He still gets a piece of the pie from the artists he developed and the songs he co-wrote.
- Crypto & Equity: He trades heavily and takes equity stakes in tech startups.
- Content Creation: While it might seem like he’s just "showing off," his YouTube and Instagram presence acts as a marketing funnel for his other ventures and brand deals.
What You Can Actually Learn From Him
It's easy to look at the private jets and roll your eyes. But Julian’s path has a few "real world" takeaways that aren't just fluff.
First, he didn't wait for permission. He dropped out of school at 16 because he saw an opportunity in the festival market. He was willing to be the "youngest guy in the room" and use that to his advantage.
Second, he understands leverage. He leveraged his MySpace following to start a festival. He leveraged the festival's success to start a tech company. He leveraged his tech exit to fund a music management agency. Each win was a stepping stone to something bigger.
Finally, he's not afraid of controversy. Whether it's a legal battle in Bali or a risky crypto trade, he stays in the conversation. In the modern economy, attention is often just as valuable as cash.
How to Apply This
If you're looking to build something similar, don't start by buying a fake Rolex for Instagram. Start by finding a niche where you can provide value as a "middleman"—whether that's managing talent, promoting events, or connecting investors. Julian’s biggest paydays didn't come from being the star; they came from owning the infrastructure that made the stars successful.
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Start by looking at the "creator economy" or hospitality niches where you can apply a bit of digital marketing savvy to a physical business. That’s exactly how Julian turned a MySpace page into a Dubai penthouse.
Focus on building a "cash cow" business—something like a service agency or a small-scale event—before you even think about the high-risk world of crypto or international real estate. The sequence matters more than the hustle.
Actionable Insights:
- Identify a "talent" or "asset" that is undervalued and offer to manage/market it for a percentage.
- Prioritize cash-flow businesses (like hospitality or service agencies) before moving into speculative investments.
- Use your first "win" to fund a more scalable tech or equity-based venture rather than just increasing your lifestyle spending.