What It’s Like to Get Forbes 30 Under 30 on the Second Try

Proof that a “no” just means “not yet”

Being nominated for Forbes 30 Under 30 always felt like one of those hazy, far-off daydreams. The kind you don’t fully say out loud because the odds are razor-thin. You have to build something meaningful before 30 and be recognized among the best of the best. It never felt likely.

When we started SENIQ, it wasn’t some polished whiteboard session with Forbes circled in red marker. It was a bit of a scramble. A moment of shared panic. Panic that this might be our only real shot to build our dreams before life got more complicated with marriages, children, & finances. Panic that we were about to attempt the hardest thing we’d ever done. But also an unshakable sense that we had to do it.

One of the best parts of building something with someone you’ve worked with for years is how much goes unspoken. Big dreams don’t need to be spelled out, they just live in the background, quietly fueling the work. Forbes wasn’t on a post-it. It was in our veins.

And like most things in this journey, the route wasn’t linear, it was full of twists, turns, and detours.

The First Try (aka The Humble Pie Era)

The funniest part of our Forbes story? We first applied just three months after launching SENIQ into the world.

We worked through the questionnaire for the first time, got to the financials (still under six figures at the time), and nearly closed the laptop. It was a sobering moment that made us realize, outside of our physical product, we hadn’t built much yet. We submitted the application anyway. We weren’t selected. Ate our humble pie. And honestly, it was a gift in disguise.

It was perspective. And it was a chance to get real about the brand we were dreaming of and start building it.

The Second Try

When applications opened again in 2025, it felt like an entirely new lifetime. We applied with a clearer story, stronger numbers, and a real sense of purpose. We felt proud, not just of revenue, but of the qualitative wins. The culture, the mission, the momentum.

We got an email asking for more information post the application (same as last year) so we didn’t think too much of it. Then, a few weeks later, we got the email: an invitation to the Forbes press conference. But it didn’t confirm our nomination. It just said to show up.

Cue torture.

The morning of the press conference, we traded our WFH sweats for power suits (styled with SENIQ, obviously), a full beat, and nervous energy. I drove to Madi’s with Jay-Z on full blast, trying to manifest every ounce of luck we had left.

As we pulled into the parking lot, we got the email.

We paused.

The world stood still.

Was this real?

Do we actually have a company?

Is this not just some fever dream?

We read it out loud. Screamed bloody murder. Tried not to cry (to preserve the beat). And then took a deep breath.

How It Felt

Like one of the biggest exhales we’ve had since starting this company.

When you’re building something from nothing, validation is rare. Most days, you’re just holding on and trying to create stability out of chaos. This felt like a moment of, “Okay. There is something here. Keep going.”

The Press Conference

Our first ever. We immediately started sweating.

I panic-pulled Madi aside and whispered my worst-case scenario: What if they ask us to speak with no notice? Her plan was to quote her favorite line: “We’re not here to make friends, we’re here to make money.” Mine? Kween Kimmy’s: “Get your f*cking ass up and work.”

Neither would’ve been Forbes-approved, so thank god no one handed us a mic.

The conference was filled with Columbus leaders talking about job growth, entrepreneurship, and what’s ahead. We met the other nominees and then headed to the Memorial Golf Tournament for lunch and celebration. We cleared our calendars and dedicated the rest of the day to champagne.

So... How Did We Get Here?

To be honest, we still don’t know exactly how the selection process works. But here are a few things that helped us feel Forbes-eligible the second time around—plus, what we wish we’d known sooner:

What Helped Us Get Forbes 30 Under 30 (on the second try):

Build something meaningful. You don’t need to be perfect, just purposeful. Make sure you can back up your momentum with both qualitative and quantitative proof.
Subscribe to the Forbes email list. Deadlines matter. And as a founder juggling a million things, it’s easy to miss them. Get on the list so you’re always in the loop.
Apply every year. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Progress counts. And you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
Show up online. Visibility matters. Your story has to travel. A strong social presence and a community behind you can be the fuel that keeps it moving.

Craft your story with care. In a world full of noise, people connect with real stories. Take the time to shape yours. Not just for Forbes, but for your customers, your partners, and your own clarity.

A few things we wish we had done sooner:

A Mini Checklist For “Before You Apply to Forbes”

Track your milestones monthly (press, revenue, customer love)

Create a “Wins” folder in your inbox or Notes app

Write your founder story before you need it

Start building your community early

Don’t gatekeep your growth. Tell the story often.

We cannot thank you enough for reading, supporting, and cheering us on. This journey has been filled with unknowns, but the constant has always been the people who believe in what we’re building. You make the SENIQ Route so beautiful.

With so much gratitude,

-Valentina