Success is not defined by salary or net worth, says CEO of $29 billion business.

A billionaire founder of multiple tech businesses, Jay Chaudhry is widely considered successful by most measures.

As of Monday morning, Zscaler, the cloud security company founded by the 65-year-old entrepreneur in 2007, is valued at $28.56 billion. However, the entrepreneur states that he never measures success by money.

"I believe it's crucial to make a difference in the world," Chaudhry says to CNBC Make It. "Life is too valuable and brief to squander time."

Chaudhry, who grew up in a farming village in rural India, recalls never having money during his early childhood. His concept of success in his youth did not involve launching a business worth tens of billions of dollars.

Chaudhry prioritized being a successful student and believed that good students would become doctors or engineers. However, he didn't enjoy working with blood, so he defined success in terms of engineering skills.

In 1997, Chaudhry, who had previously attended college in India and earned master's degrees in computer and industrial engineering, as well as an MBA, from the University of Cincinnati, launched his first cybersecurity startup, SecureIT, with his wife Jyoti. Prior to starting his own business, he had worked at tech giants like IBM and Unisys.

'An opportunity to make a big difference'

Entrepreneurship changed how Chaudhry defines success, he says.

Chaudhry left his job as a tech executive to start his own company after being inspired by the growth of internet startups like Netscape in the mid-1990s. Although he had a good job with financial security, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was an opportunity to make a significant impact if more companies embraced the internet.

Chaudhry views success as the impact he can have on the world, and he sees Zscaler as part of a mission to enhance the cybersecurity of the companies it serves, enabling them to safely conduct business.

Chaudhry and his wife believe that working hard to make a difference is its own reward, he says. "You give it your all, and whatever happens is how we've always done it. And it has worked," he adds. "If it doesn't quite work, that's okay too. You did your best."

Chaudhry's mindset drives him to continue working hard into his 60s, rather than focusing on retiring with a net worth estimated at $11 billion by Forbes.

"If I don't work, I can go to the beach and be bored in a couple of hours. Although I love mountains and nature, after about two weeks, I get a strong desire to do something productive rather than waste my time."

'Your reputation is what you create'

While not everyone has the financial freedom to choose how long they work or worry about money, Chaudhry's emphasis on impact and fulfillment rather than just accumulating wealth has helped him become a billionaire, he claims, and he is not the only one.

At SXSW in March, Mark Cuban revealed that his biggest "driving force" was not just about amassing wealth, but rather having the freedom to make his own decisions and spend his time as he pleased.

Richard Branson, the billionaire founder of Virgin Group, concurs with Chaudhry and believes it's "very sad" when individuals prioritize making money over other objectives, as he stated in a May interview with CNBC Make It.

Branson emphasizes the importance of creating a positive impact on both employees and the world, as he believes that one's reputation is shaped by their actions.

To stop worrying about money, enroll in CNBC's online course, Financial Wellness: Be Happier, Wealthier & More Financially Secure. We'll teach you the psychology of money, stress management, and healthy financial habits. Plus, use code EARLYBIRD for a 30% discount through September 2, 2024. Start today!

Sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to receive expert advice on work, money, and life.