From the Student Entrepreneur to You

ChocolateChocolate The Team Mascot Join Date: 2006-10-31 Member: 58123Members
in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">I'd love to know what YOU have to say =)</div>Hey. I'm Chocolate and yeah, I haven't been around at all these days (and if I am I would be in the NS2 parts anyway) but either way...

HELLO EVERYONE!!!

*cough*
Anyway, back on topic, I've been juggling in my head the idea of starting my own business for quite some time (a year or two ago). I've been doing a lot of research into Entrepreneurs... I made a 60 page project for class on entrepreneurs and I've read a few "starting your own business" articles off the net. But yeah, some of the best advice has come from normal people like you and I (entrepreneur or not, doesn't make a difference), which leads me to my questions:
<ol type='1'>I've personally been thinking of the idea of starting a website creating web pages... any comments on that? Good idea? Bad one? Feasible? Too big a project for me to undertake? etc.
Do you foresee any obstacles I would face as a student entrepreneur?
<b>Does anyone have any advice for a 15year-old student entrepreneur like me? </b>
Anyone got any good alternative ideas for a business?</li></ol>
Note, my interests are mainly revolved around computers, video games, some physical labor and sciences.

Any comments would be appreciated... I'm interested to hear what you all (which are older and wiser than me) have to say.


Thanks in advance!

<b>Danielle Mustillo</b> aka Chocolate
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Comments

  • AlignAlign Remain Calm Join Date: 2002-11-02 Member: 5216Forum Moderators, Constellation
    I don't think the market for web page making is very big (anymore), but I might be wrong.
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  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    15? Start a lawn mowing business.
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  • locallyunscenelocallyunscene Feeder of Trolls Join Date: 2002-12-25 Member: 11528Members, Constellation
    One of my friends has a blog providing service. I'd say there's a big market but it's already pretty saturated. Unless you have an idea to really differentiate yourself, you're better off making a facebook app.
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  • ShockehShockeh If a packet drops on the web and nobody&#39;s near to see it... Join Date: 2002-11-19 Member: 9336NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation
    edited May 2008
    The Shockwave Theory to Obtaining Cash Online. (STOCO)

    Identify a need people have. - The path to success is littered with great ideas that nobody actually wanted.
    Produce a solution for that requirement that is lightweight, expandable & modular - as all the best software is. It's undoubtable that someone will immediately use your solution in ways you never conceived, and naive to think you can predict people that thoroughly.
    Make it closed source, but ensure open source extensions can be created - this ensures the geek clique bandwagon will leap onto your project with glee and feel it's 'owned' rather than 'corporate', but let you retain eventual control.
    Get it visible in the right (i.e non intrusive/viral) places, and ways.
    Provide it free for as long as you feasibly can. You make it popular, you can either create new features that are available on a subscription basis (last.fm springs to mind) or you'll simply have people banging down your door asking to advertise in your space (facebook)
    If you do go down the advertising route, ensure it always remains unobtrusive, and never interferes with the core use of the application. Facebook are treading a very thin line on this one right now, and starting to stray worryingly over.
    Profit.

    This is all hypothetical, and dredged from my brain from how I think about things working at an ISP with our products, but you get the general idea. I hope it helps, feel free to send me a pile of shares if you think I deserve it when you become the next Google. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" /> It's also entirely my opinion, I'm completely unqualified to be making serious business decisions. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" />

    Lastly, ignore anything about your age, providing you make yourself (and any investor, like family) aware of the ramifications of your actions. If you have *that* idea that will change the world, be the guy who did it first, and best.

    - Shockwave
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  • douchebagatrondouchebagatron Custom member title Join Date: 2003-12-20 Member: 24581Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    starting a business for the sake of starting a business isnt the best of ideas, especially without an education. its definitely possible to get some money designing websites, the problem comes from finding clients. if you can find some clients, then go ahead and do it, but in my opinion education should be placed above a job at this point in your life.
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  • Nil_IQNil_IQ Join Date: 2003-04-15 Member: 15520Members
    I can only agree with 6john, and everyone else. I have a friend who is also seriously considering starting his own business, but he already has a university (i'm sorry, <i>college</i>) education and two years experience in the industry. On top of that, he's not planning on quitting his day job.

    As appealing as it might seem to be your own boss, you want to make your company profitable <i>before</i> you quit your job. Not after.
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  • locallyunscenelocallyunscene Feeder of Trolls Join Date: 2002-12-25 Member: 11528Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1679771:date=May 30 2008, 08:30 AM:name=Nil_IQ)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Nil_IQ @ May 30 2008, 08:30 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1679771"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I can only agree with 6john, and everyone else. I have a friend who is also seriously considering starting his own business, but he already has a university (I'm sorry, <i>college</i>) education and two years experience in the industry. On top of that, he's not planning on quitting his day job.

    As appealing as it might seem to be your own boss, you want to make your company profitable <i>before</i> you quit your job. Not after.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I would like to dissent a bit from the general consensus here though. If you have the gumption to start a company in your free time then go for it whatever path you take. As long as you're not going to burn any bridges(school, friends, family, future clients) you could make some connections/references that will be valuable later in life(jobs, colleges, research).

    A college education is certainly useful, but not necessary.
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  • douchebagatrondouchebagatron Custom member title Join Date: 2003-12-20 Member: 24581Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    i agree that a college education is useful and not necessary, but if you start trying to get clients and they find out you dont even have a <i>high school</i> education, then thats going to be tough goings i assure you.

    its one thing if youre a high school student doing web development work on the side, but its something else to claim you have your own web development business when youre not even capable of driving a car.
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  • locallyunscenelocallyunscene Feeder of Trolls Join Date: 2002-12-25 Member: 11528Members, Constellation
    edited May 2008
    <!--quoteo(post=1679796:date=May 30 2008, 12:31 PM:name=6john)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(6john @ May 30 2008, 12:31 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1679796"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->i agree that a college education is useful and not necessary, but if you start trying to get clients and they find out you dont even have a <i>high school</i> education, then thats going to be tough goings i assure you.

    its one thing if youre a high school student doing web development work on the side, but its something else to claim you have your own web development business when youre not even capable of driving a car.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I agree it will probably be tough, but smart clients should recognize that he could <i>capable</i> of driving a car(or providing a service reliably) even if he isn't "old enough" to legally drive it(or work for someone else).
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • DiscoZombieDiscoZombie Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18951Members
    my uncle started out as a plumber with a high school education, learned everything he could about building houses, and eventually he became a millionaire building houses and selling em. the trick is finding the right thing to do for you to make money and stick with it, and also it won't happen overnight.
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  • ChocolateChocolate The Team Mascot Join Date: 2006-10-31 Member: 58123Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1679732:date=May 29 2008, 05:37 PM:name=Xyth)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Xyth @ May 29 2008, 05:37 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1679732"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->15? Start a lawn mowing business.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Well actually, about that, I kinda already do that =P. $50 a month =).

    <!--quoteo(post=1679742:date=May 29 2008, 07:09 PM:name=Shockwave)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Shockwave @ May 29 2008, 07:09 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1679742"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The Shockwave Theory to Obtaining Cash Online. (STOCO)

    Identify a need people have. - The path to success is littered with great ideas that nobody actually wanted.
    Produce a solution for that requirement that is lightweight, expandable & modular - as all the best software is. It's undoubtable that someone will immediately use your solution in ways you never conceived, and naive to think you can predict people that thoroughly.
    Make it closed source, but ensure open source extensions can be created - this ensures the geek clique bandwagon will leap onto your project with glee and feel it's 'owned' rather than 'corporate', but let you retain eventual control.
    Get it visible in the right (i.e non intrusive/viral) places, and ways.
    Provide it free for as long as you feasibly can. You make it popular, you can either create new features that are available on a subscription basis (last.fm springs to mind) or you'll simply have people banging down your door asking to advertise in your space (facebook)
    If you do go down the advertising route, ensure it always remains unobtrusive, and never interferes with the core use of the application. Facebook are treading a very thin line on this one right now, and starting to stray worryingly over.
    Profit.

    This is all hypothetical, and dredged from my brain from how I think about things working at an ISP with our products, but you get the general idea. I hope it helps, feel free to send me a pile of shares if you think I deserve it when you become the next Google. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" /> It's also entirely my opinion, I'm completely unqualified to be making serious business decisions. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" />

    Lastly, ignore anything about your age, providing you make yourself (and any investor, like family) aware of the ramifications of your actions. If you have *that* idea that will change the world, be the guy who did it first, and best.

    - Shockwave<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I like these tips. Simple, efficient and easy to remember. That's what I love.
    But yeah, I'm a little concerned about the monetary issue. I'm personally leaning towards a subscription type service because me as a consumer LOVES it (Natural Selection is a great example). But at the same time, I don't want to be losing money waiting for someone to subscribe...

    <!--quoteo(post=1679750:date=May 29 2008, 10:51 PM:name=6john)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(6john @ May 29 2008, 10:51 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1679750"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->starting a business for the sake of starting a business isnt the best of ideas, especially without an education. its definitely possible to get some money designing websites, the problem comes from finding clients. if you can find some clients, then go ahead and do it, but in my opinion education should be placed above a job at this point in your life.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Personally, I see this as an educational process really I've got the summer to do something (besides my regular summer CIT job) and I figured I might as well try and learn some entrepreneurial skills/computer skills. I realize it's probably not the best idea but I also figure that's been something I've wanted to do for a long time, so I might as well give it a shot!

    <!--quoteo(post=1679796:date=May 30 2008, 12:31 PM:name=6john)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(6john @ May 30 2008, 12:31 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1679796"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->i agree that a college education is useful and not necessary, but if you start trying to get clients and they find out you dont even have a <i>high school</i> education, then thats going to be tough goings i assure you.

    its one thing if youre a high school student doing web development work on the side, but its something else to claim you have your own web development business when youre not even capable of driving a car.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Well yeah, I don't really want to make this a full time business anytime soon. Maybe it'll just be a summer project? Really, I personally want to stay on a more local, low stress basis for a while (meaning that I wont be going public or becoming the next google anytime soon) until yes, I do get some education.


    Anyway, thanks so much for the responses. I'd love to hear from more of you guys! I like hearing people's stories (like DiscoZombie) and you guys are alot smarter than I am (in terms of the work place situation) so yeah... I dunno (its too late here, i should catch some Zzzz's).
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  • douchebagatrondouchebagatron Custom member title Join Date: 2003-12-20 Member: 24581Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    well if its just a summer project then go for it!

    one last word of advice from me is: dont put any money in that youre not prepared to lose
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