Advice For Young / Emerging Entrepreneurs

I started my first business when I was 15 years old. I didn’t know I was being entrepreneurial or what an entrepreneur was. I was just trying to make some extra money. Here are three pieces of advice that I would give to my younger self with tips that I would have wanted to hear as an inexperienced business person.

1. If you start having some success, but that doesn’t mean everything will be this easy. Pay closer attention to the How and Why of that early success. Don’t assume you will always understand what worked and what didn’t. Write it down. That will serve you better than your memory.

2. Don’t get a big head, but do keep your confidence. It’s OK to ignore anyone telling you that you can’t do something, but you can’t ignore reality. You need both. Find ways to move forward, but with logic and experience because talent only gets you so far. Bonus Advice: You need to drop the idea that this is how life will be forever. Success comes from change, so be ready to change with the times to keep being successful.

3. Don’t be afraid of others having success around you. Their wins don’t take away from yours. Jealousy is a waste of time and effort. Let them hate on you, but don’t return it. Keep focused on your goals.

Now, go out and create something great. Follow your passion, use your head and do something new. It’s not easy, but nothing great ever came from easy.