Advice for young wannabe entrepreneur.

BigDawg · December 2016

Hello everyone,
I'm seventeen, I come from Eastern Europe and I have been reading about entrepreneurship since I was fifteen and I'm absolutely obsessed with it. I'm constantly trying to improve myself and expand my thinking by reading articles, having mentors and listening to podcasts but I'm honestly lost. I can't find my passion and an idea for a business and I can't connect with any aspiring young entrepreneurs locally, everyone in my school thinks I'm crazy for heading in that direction so I'm pretty much alone. The only people I meet are the ones at the seminars I go to but I'm really lost. I don't know how and where to start and what I need. There's also a strong feeling of fear and uncertainty coming with the idea of one day having my own startup.

Any tips you'd give me right now that you wish you knew when you were my age? Any advice in where to start and how to meet more like-minded people? I'm not really sure what to do when I finish school either, do I go for a university degree in software or do I study entrepreneurship or do I just drift off to start my own business? I'm lost, please help.

Ryan O'Bleness · December 2016

I would say that finding your passion is quite important before you pursue any ventures. The reason being is because if you're not passionate and all-in on what you're doing, and if you don't believe in it 100 percent, then neither will potential investors, employees, mentors, etc. You are 17, though. You have nothing but time. Take the time now to think of a great concept. This is something you are passionate about and something that will solve a problem for people or something that creates demand. Take the time now to strategize, and take care of the basic preliminary tasks, such as coming up with a business name, business type (LLC, Inc., sole proprietorship, etc.), securing startup funding, etc.

In terms of schooling, I've always thought schooling is a matter of choice. For me, I went off to a university and worked hard and got my degree in four years. However, that doesn't mean it is the right path for everyone. Some schools do offer entrepreneurship majors or minors and perhaps you would be able to learn a lot. However, some of the most successful entrepreneurs never even finished college (Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, etc.), or even high school (Richard Branson). Education is a necessary thing in my opinion, but it is extremely expensive and it isn't right for everyone. MBAs are another thing to think about post-undergrad, but again, it depends on your situation. It comes down to what you think is best for your life.

You said you like to read about entrepreneurship, so if you haven't already, I would recommend you check out our content side: http://www.startupnation.com. There are articles galore on just about every topic you can think of. Let me know if I can direct you to any particular topic.

You also mentioned, podcasts, StartupNation also has a radio show that may be of interest to you: https://startupnation.com/startupnation-radio/.

I hope any of this was helpful!

bharat.nimblechapps · December 2016

I don't want to say more but one thing I would like to tell is one the best quote.

If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

BigDawg · December 2016

Thanks for the replies guys I'll look into the links you sent me.Appreciate the feedback.

Benw · December 2016

BigDawg wrote:

Thanks for the replies guys I'll look into the links you sent me.Appreciate the feedback.

Two pieces of advice

First, sometimes you don't need passion, you just need to find what really bugs you or you hate. IE, what in the current marketplace bugs the shit out of you because you think it could be done better? Find that and fix it. Sometimes the passion comes later after you dig in.

Second, there are TONS of business owners who don't have passion for the business they are in but do have passion for their team, for running things efficiently, or just the freedom being a busienss owner can bring, and so on. Sometimes you just need to start somewhere and learn and see where it leads. Just jump into a small business and start learning.

Just start. Even if you are selling candy at your school, do something to get you in the game.

Ryan O'Bleness · December 2016

Benw wrote:

BigDawg wrote:

Thanks for the replies guys I'll look into the links you sent me.Appreciate the feedback.

Two pieces of advice

First, sometimes you don't need passion, you just need to find what really bugs you or you hate. IE, what in the current marketplace bugs the shit out of you because you think it could be done better? Find that and fix it. Sometimes the passion comes later after you dig in.

Second, there are TONS of business owners who don't have passion for the business they are in but do have passion for their team, for running things efficiently, or just the freedom being a busienss owner can bring, and so on. Sometimes you just need to start somewhere and learn and see where it leads. Just jump into a small business and start learning.

Just start. Even if you are selling candy at your school, do something to get you in the game.

It is true that passion can be found in other ways, not necessarily within the business itself, but personally I would be cautious of that. For me, if it is something that I was not completely invested in, I know I wouldn't put in the necessary time or effort needed to be successful. And, as the business owner, if I am not doing everything I can to grow my venture, the people around me will take notice and essentially have the same mindset.

Our CEO here at StartupNation, Jeff Sloan (a lifelong entrepreneur), constantly talks about passion and the willingness to get dirt underneath your fingernails in order to succeed. He is extremely successful and his ardent love of entrepreneurship is what drives him. So, if you are not living and breathing your venture, if it is not what drives you, then I would take that into serious consideration. I agree with Ben that you can always find passion in some other form, and that getting in the game is important; however, from my own personal view, I don't think that is how I would approach it.

Again, everyone is different, though.

ankit007 · January 2017

Have a feasible business plan. Make a strategy. The presence of strategy have built wonders, its absence, on the other hand, have ruined them.

eurus · April 2017

For any entrepreneur, the most important thing you should consider at first is the financial strength. If you do not have enough money, ask for an investment.
In my country, the best way to receive money for start-up is via taking part in the Start-up competition. The investors love ideas of the youngsters, and they willingly invest if the ideas are practical and valuable to the community.
Good luck!

Ashley John · April 2017

As an entrepreneur, I can say 3 most important things to be an entrepreneur are -
1. Hard work
2. Willpower
3. Dedication

You should have a proper goal before starting your own business.

Levi Leyba, MBA · April 2017

Ashley John said:

As an entrepreneur, I can say 3 most important things to be an entrepreneur are -

1. Hard work

2. Willpower

3. Dedication

You should have a proper goal before starting your own business.

4. The fact that you're not afraid to fail, but instead see failures as learning opportunities.

Advice for young wannabe entrepreneur.

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