When you start out as an entrepreneur at an early age, you find that one of the things that stands in the way of your entrepreneur success isn’t the world, but it’s you. Yes, you. As a young entrepreneur, you often split your focus between two ideas:
- You’re too young to know better.
- You’re too young, and that makes you cutting edge.
For those who are the younger generation (however you define that), it can be easy to think that because you are younger, people don’t expect as much of you. You don’t have to be a professional because you’re young and people will simply write that off as being a part of who you are.
Reality Check
While you might be young, you are still expected to be a professional. The thing with the Internet is that you are only young if you admit it. When you’re behind the workings of your website, the only thing people focus on is what you sell and what you say, not on your age – unless you advertise it. Just as with any site you visit, your audience expects you to do what you promise to do, when you promise to do it.
At the same time, because you are young, you probably do things because they seem like a good idea. That’s a great attitude to have. Instead of sitting around and thinking every single step of your business through, sometimes you just have to take risks and do things that seem crazy to others. The craziest ideas often win.
The Cutting Edge Mentality
There is a distinct difference between being cutting edge and being blindly arrogant. Every entrepreneur thinks their ideas are the best (and you should), but when you simply ignore the feedback you receive, that’s where your confidence can hurt you. Sure, it’s a stereotype to say that ‘all’ young entrepreneurs are cutting edge, but since you’re younger and in sync with other markers than your competition, you know there’s pressure on you to do more, to be more, and to do something unique.
All this cutting edge pressure can make you blind to reality – that sometimes ideas just don’t work. And that’s okay too.
Youth and Who You Are
This is beginning to sound like youth is a bad thing. It’s not. Not at all. Being a young entrepreneur is something that does work to your advantage.
- You’re more energetic – Yes, those late nights are going to be much easier on you. You can stay up a few nights to get an important project done or to work with a new client. You are more productive because you have more energy.
- You’re more in tune with new ideas and movements – You’re probably on social media more, so you’re hearing all of the good ideas that are brewing in the world. This allows you to synthesize what you hear and turn those ideas into something that hasn’t been done before.
- You can make mistakes and start over – Even if you make a mistake or something goes wrong, you can start over and over and over again.
Being young and being an entrepreneur is a combination that will take you far. But you still need to get started, stop talking, and start doing what you love to do.
“Small Business, Big Vision provides a framework for you to unleash your driven and relentless passion to achieve unprecedented growth.”
Great article. Time waits for no man. So if you know you want to do something outside-the-box that is innovative and entrepreneurial, why wait?? What are you waiting for? The perfect time? The perfect time doesn’t exist. *gasp* So for the young entrepreneur to-be, if you are itching today, get started today!!
I’ll second that! – take action TODAY! Even if you just start to educate yourself on ‘being an entrepreneur’, it is a start and you can build on that day by day.
Thanks for your kind words mate!
Luke
This post is all about young age entrepreneur. I also believe that if someone knows his/her potential at an early age and start working on it, then there is a bigger scope for achievement.
Just look at Stanley Tang – publishing a best-selling book at 16!
Kids can sometimes be more intelligent and thoughtful than adults because their minds haven’t filled up yet with the daily stresses which most adults have to deal with.
It is so important to start early and if you ask all successful entrepreneurs if there is one thing they could change, it is almost always “I wish I started earlier!”.
Thanks for your comment bro!
Luke
Great article and I agree 100% its funny I came across this article today because earlier today I was trying to convince my younger sister to start blogging since she is always gossiping to her friends and me, why not turn it into a side income I would.
Love this comment buddy!
This is very true – so many youngsters don’t realize the HUGE potential for making money online. I have heard of kids as young as 12 making money online!
I don’t yet have any kids but I know that when I do, I’m going to start them online as soon as possible, or at least teach them about entrepreneurialism from a young age to get their brains ticking!
Thanks.
Luke
I know I wish I started earlier like when the .com boom happened.
At 22 years old, if I’m not going to be an entrepreneur NOW then when?
To me, it’s just about knowing what I want and not procrastinating. It doesn’t matter whether your are 16 or 80 – don’t wait – start acting.
Steven – like the comment bro!
I totally agree, I am 23 now and working online was the best thing I ever did. I mean, it opens up so many doors for you, makes you a MUCH better person, gives you a purpose and most importantly it allows you to develop skills that you never even knew you had!
I’m glad you liked the post buddy and it’s good to have like minded young entrepreneurs like you around!
Cheers,
Luke
This is awesome! I’m totally aligned with you here. It’s easy to think that because you’re young, people won’t take you as serious as you are. I think this is an unconscious stimulus response kind of thing for most people.. to think young people are naive!
The truth is, younger people are smarter than ever before now. I think we’re not only evolving in terms of intelligence, but in terms of neurology.
Love what you said about taking risks, when everyone else thinks you’re out of your mind! That’s the beauty behind being unrealistic~
Great stuff, love this blog.
RC
The number of young entrepreneurs is increasing world wide it spreads positive sign and encourage other to become young entrepreneurs. However some months ago a survey report was published in US media regarding success of young and old entrepreneurs. According to this survey 70% young entrepreneurs could not continue their business successfully for long time while who started their business after 50 years of age got too much success in short period of time.
Very admirable blog ! The facts stated are absolutely correct that the younger you are the more enthusiasm and anxiety you have for your work. You always have this feeling of grasping more knowledge from others as compared to the seniors.
It’s a very good and educational article which will help youth to earn some side money doing it right. I think a lot of people will benefit from this great article. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Nice post. Starting any business at an early age gives you enough opportunities and scope to learn and do better in life.