Why do some entrepreneurs climb to the billionaire level while others, equally hardworking, stall halfway? International investor Oleg Boiko explored this question in his Entrepreneur column. After more than 30 years of studying successful business figures, he argues that the decisive qualities are not only intelligence, but emotional awareness, courage in risk-taking, and what he calls the “Inner Woodpecker.”
The Billionaire Mindset
Boiko explains: “The “Inner Woodpecker” is like having a constant drive to achieve and never being satisfied with a one-off success.” In his view, billionaires never settle for one accomplishment. Each victory is just another step forward. What drives them is an almost instinctive restlessness, an energy that keeps them going despite failures.
Contrary to common belief, raw IQ plays a lesser role. “IQ is useful, but emotional intelligence (EQ) is essential for entrepreneurial success. EQ can’t be hired — it has to exist already or be developed internally.” This ability to manage emotions — both their own and those of others — gives entrepreneurs an edge in building relationships, inspiring teams, and handling crises.
Risk-Taking: The Fuel of Business Evolution
For Oleg Boiko, risk-taking is not optional. It is central to business success. “So, remember, there’s no competition without the risk of losing.” Entrepreneurs who play it too safe rarely achieve breakthroughs. Just like in sports, science, and exploration, risk fuels growth.
Boiko reminds readers that every major business involves decisions that could fail — and that willingness to accept uncertainty is what ultimately separates billionaires from the rest.
Patience and Recovery
Another essential trait is patience. True leaders know how to wait, to withstand pressure, and to recover from losses. Oleg Boiko puts it bluntly: “Personally, I never get upset over losses. I dismiss it as counterproductive and, instead, I analyze what went wrong, put the mental switch in the “on” position and move ahead.”
This approach not only minimizes stress but transforms failure into fuel for comeback. For Boiko, resilience is the hidden foundation of lasting wealth.
Boiko’s Journey to Global Investments
These lessons are grounded in his own career. Educated at the Moscow Aviation Institute and later completing an MBA at MIRBIS in partnership with London Metropolitan University, Oleg Boiko established Finstar Financial Group in 1996, which has since grown into an international investment platform managing around USD 2 billion in assets.
In 2017, Boiko announced global plans to invest in fintech, making it a strategic priority. In the following years, his focus shifted toward Asia, where rapid technological development and the expansion of the middle class created unique conditions for innovative financial solutions.
Throughout his career, he has created and developed projects across banking, entertainment, digital lending, and fintech startups. Today, his main priority remains investing in fintech in emerging markets, where technology can radically expand access to financial services.
Outside of business, Boiko is known for supporting athletes with disabilities worldwide.
According to Forbes real-time estimates in 2025, his net worth is ≈ USD 1.5 billion, placing him #2233 globally.
Beyond Formulas: Success as a Lifelong Process
Ultimately, Boiko emphasizes that true success is not a one-time victory. It is an ongoing process, a cycle of striving, failing, learning, and trying again. The combination of EQ, risk tolerance, and the “Inner Woodpecker” is what allows entrepreneurs to rise to billionaire status and remain there.
His perspective comes not only from research but also from lived experience as a global businessman and philanthropist. For Oleg Boiko, the journey of entrepreneurship is constant, restless, and deeply human — and that is what makes it both challenging and rewarding.
