It looks like you are using an ad blocker. That's okay. Who doesn't? But without advertising revenue, we can't keep making this site awesome. Click the link below for instructions on disabling adblock.
Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post.
Register to become a member today!
When I was in school, I did the lawn care/pool man gig. Worked pretty well because rich white folk would rather pay an enthusiastic white kid over some Mexicans, even if the job wasn't done as professionally.
After college I started a personal training company. It took a while to grow but eventually I was able to buy my own gym.
Currently working with a friend on franchising his cleaning company.
Failures:
Heely shoes, I built and tried to market those long before they were available. But I was just a kid and gave up on the idea too early. Cool to see the idea take off though.
Bamboo ski poles. - Had a site and a great product, but didn't have the time/energy/$ to market them. Sold a few locally. Cool to see panda poles, and the various others try a year of 2 later. Firmly believe that we were the first to try a New school bamboo pole, and our idea was copied by panda poles. Happy to see someone else having some success with it. All the best to them.
Up and coming - working on a new hydration system for backcountry travel.
I recently opened up a bridal boutique in our downtown! Belles & Lace Bridal. We focus on unique, and fashion forward bridal dresses. It has been one the most challenging and rewarding things I have ever done. Getting to work in fashion is amazing, but tying that in with one of the happiest days a woman will have is outstanding! also I have always had a gift to calming people down when they are stressed or upset so that comes in handy often. haha.
Everyday is a learning experience. Its been a trip so far, but we have been getting the best feed back I couldn't be happier.
We are getting to the point this fall where we are going to start hiring employees....which is going to be hard to do, I have a hard time leaving it in other peoples hands because our reputation is so important, as is word of mouth in this area. All it takes is one upset bride....
Thizzle.On a serious note though, running your own business is 100x harder than a lot of people realize at first. I've been watching my dad run his own businesses since I was a little kid and it can be really stressful if you have a family to support because it is not stable at all. It's not like you go to work for 40 hours and get your paycheck to feed your family... Some weeks you'll work 80 hours and not get paid a dime because you are busy running your company and making it work so you can get that check when the time comes. I think a lot of people (kids) underestimate the amount of work it takes to successfully start a company of your own that is something other than a website or a heat press/sewing machine in the garage. And even with those little businesses there is a lot of work that one can and should put in if you actually want to be successful and I think a lot of people see being as entrepreneur as a way to not "work" for somebody in the typical sense when in reality you have to do way more work yourself rather than having a job delegated to you by a boss.
This. I will be a broke ass for the next 10 years haha. And you never really stop working at the end of the day.
Thizzle.On a serious note though, running your own business is 100x harder than a lot of people realize at first. I've been watching my dad run his own businesses since I was a little kid and it can be really stressful if you have a family to support because it is not stable at all. It's not like you go to work for 40 hours and get your paycheck to feed your family... Some weeks you'll work 80 hours and not get paid a dime because you are busy running your company and making it work so you can get that check when the time comes. I think a lot of people (kids) underestimate the amount of work it takes to successfully start a company of your own that is something other than a website or a heat press/sewing machine in the garage. And even with those little businesses there is a lot of work that one can and should put in if you actually want to be successful and I think a lot of people see being as entrepreneur as a way to not "work" for somebody in the typical sense when in reality you have to do way more work yourself rather than having a job delegated to you by a boss.
Dude, EVERYONE underestimates how hard it is going to be. You literally need to have the highest tolerance to pain and suffering in the universe. YOu must be so obsessed with the problem that you're solving that yo have no choice but to do what you're doing.
last_tango
the book is dated but this was the book that helped start my uncles smoke shop in the link below.
In turn though, read one of the greatest books I've ever read about building a business. This is the book that every entrepreneur needs to read just after they realize they're in about 10,000 feet over their head.
SurfaceHoarBamboo ski poles. - Had a site and a great product, but didn't have the time/energy/$ to market them. Sold a few locally. Cool to see panda poles, and the various others try a year of 2 later. Firmly believe that we were the first to try a New school bamboo pole, and our idea was copied by panda poles. Happy to see someone else having some success with it. All the best to them.
My friend, timing is absolutely everything. The right idea at the wrong time is toast. Sadly, lots of times its only luck that allows you to have the right timing and the right idea.
KorbitI recently opened up a bridal boutique in our downtown! Belles & Lace Bridal. We focus on unique, and fashion forward bridal dresses. It has been one the most challenging and rewarding things I have ever done. Getting to work in fashion is amazing, but tying that in with one of the happiest days a woman will have is outstanding! also I have always had a gift to calming people down when they are stressed or upset so that comes in handy often. haha.
Everyday is a learning experience. Its been a trip so far, but we have been getting the best feed back I couldn't be happier.
We are getting to the point this fall where we are going to start hiring employees....which is going to be hard to do, I have a hard time leaving it in other peoples hands because our reputation is so important, as is word of mouth in this area. All it takes is one upset bride....
anyways.. That's my Biz :)
Congrats! I wish you all the luck.
The only thing I will caution you of is the hiring process. It is utterly unbelievable how much shitty talent there is out there. Especially how much will pretend to be awesome just to get a job.
Be absolutely ruthless in your hiring process. And - take a piece of advice my dad gave me that I never did - "Never hire someone you want to go out for beers with.".
The person that seems like they'd be a good friend isn't the one that is the best applicant for the job.
If this counts I took an entrepreneurship class this year and was able to make my own backyard jib company. It is extremely hard to start up your own business from what I learned while trying to price the rails and be able to distribute them.
I would recommend the $100 Startup to read. It's really easy these days to think you have to be the next Apple when starting a company to make it work. You can turn a hobby into a profession over time that is a small well tuned machine and make a good living. Worked for me, ha.
Also start now! In 5 years you'll be wishing you started something 5 years ago.
mattyb.I would recommend the $100 Startup to read. It's really easy these days to think you have to be the next Apple when starting a company to make it work. You can turn a hobby into a profession over time that is a small well tuned machine and make a good living. Worked for me, ha.
Also start now! In 5 years you'll be wishing you started something 5 years ago.
Haha! I look down and there I am in the Related New Article!
20 years old. started up a landscaping business last summer as a 19 year old with one partner. have already done $25,000+ in business and 1 1/3 summers
geodude20 years old. started up a landscaping business last summer as a 19 year old with one partner. have already done $25,000+ in business and 1 1/3 summers
I'll give you $100 and a blowjob for 90% equity in your company
The only thing I will caution you of is the hiring process. It is utterly unbelievable how much shitty talent there is out there. Especially how much will pretend to be awesome just to get a job.
Be absolutely ruthless in your hiring process. And - take a piece of advice my dad gave me that I never did - "Never hire someone you want to go out for beers with.".
The person that seems like they'd be a good friend isn't the one that is the best applicant for the job.[/QUOTE]
Definitely not good to be fucking around with employees. But Friendship is ok.
I'm sure we all have seen cases where employees hate their boss. You need employees who have your back, will stick up for you and have your best interests in mind when you are not around. Employees who mother fuck you behind your back are going to steal from you, do the bare minimum, and even slam you to customers.
Not good to be hiring friends who you know to be fuck ups and think they will change. I have several hard working friends that I wouldn't mind working for me. But it's best to start with someone new, and then let the friendship develop.
Just graduated with a degree in entrepreneurship so I guess I belong here. Starting an aerial photography business right now. Put about $2000 into equipment, lets hope it takes off! (pun intended)
Sold weed and crack from the age of 16-18. Learned to how to bend Metrocards(NYC subway cards) and swiped people on the train for money(Even though I had a job at PETCO), got arrested for it. Went to school for Digital Media. Did videography and sales jobs for a fetish porn company and other adult sites. Sold anything I could get my hands on from Jordans, to cellphones, to women on Craigslist and Backpage.com. Helped advertise my female friends on these sites as a side job because pimping isn't easy.
Now that's something to tell Employers and investors.
I currently run a service in the horticulture industry, go figure.
Would like to legitimize, and build an indoor skate/dry slope/tramp park in the East Coast using Hemp Lite and a hemp manufacturing company.
Any one down to help me with my half way done business plans? Not sure which route to go first.
Bmo.Just graduated with a degree in entrepreneurship so I guess I belong here. Starting an aerial photography business right now. Put about $2000 into equipment, lets hope it takes off! (pun intended)
it's a small world, I saw your exact video on Facebook today from a mutual friend.
Anyway, I feel like your business could be successful, especially if you can find some real estate companies that you could sign a contract with to take aerial shots of all their listings, or even businesses/parks that would want to put an aerial video of their property on their website.
This video is also really cool if you haven't seen it before
Been wanting to start something, and hopefully will have the time to do so soon. Hard with school and skiing. But figured I'd post- my brother is currently going through the whole startup process right now. He's a little over a year in and doing well. Here's a link to his site- http://www.virtualu.co/ . They are doing some big things- affordable 3d body imaging. The first avenue they are exploring is fitness, tracking results, etc. and they will be sending out some beta units this summer in DC and other gyms in VA. Pretty excited to see where he goes with it! The possibilities with the 3d scanning technology are seemingly endless.
c.cirilloBeen wanting to start something, and hopefully will have the time to do so soon. Hard with school and skiing. But figured I'd post- my brother is currently going through the whole startup process right now. He's a little over a year in and doing well. Here's a link to his site- http://www.virtualu.co/ . They are doing some big things- affordable 3d body imaging. The first avenue they are exploring is fitness, tracking results, etc. and they will be sending out some beta units this summer in DC and other gyms in VA. Pretty excited to see where he goes with it! The possibilities with the 3d scanning technology are seemingly endless.
Sounds like something that should be on sharktank.
Additionally, tell him to look into SBIR/STTR grants from the NIH/other similar national institutions. Its a long process, but it is non-dilutive capital and every entrepreneur loves that.
acualywasdolanI have no idea how skull candy is successful. As if a few engineers for hire in america know better than thousands of japanese engineers at sony
They don't know better. Skullcandy headphones sound like shit, especially for the price you pay. They just have really good marketing, being able to sell a bicycle as a motorcycle.
so I have tried myself to build a t-shirt company just like a lot of people on here always attempt to do. I only ended up making one load of shirts and did tons of designing. When getting into your own business be prepared to work a lot and not make a lot of money. unless you have a lot of money to just blow for exposure and brand recognition its always going to be a fight for sales.
Currently I am working with my brother at an e-cigarette store. This has been successful for the main reason that everyone is looking for a quit smoking aid or even maybe a smoking alternative and it's something that works. My brother first started it while he was in the military about 6 years ago. Used a small amount of money he was making from that and put a little bit into his business then from there has been able to grow the business just from the internet. About 4-5 months ago he decided it was time to open a store. Since he has opened the physical store it has been nothing but a headache up until about the end of last month we have actually started to make money for the company rather than just breaking even(Breaking even is actually really good for the first month of being open and have broken even for about 3-4 months and its been roughly about a month and a half of a good solid amount of revenue every day). We have only minor advertising with like a coffee news flyer. The most powerful form of advertising is word of mouth and it also is the cheapest. Throwing up some signs and posters on the streets don't hurt either.
Felt I should contribute something. Thought maybe some of that information might be useful to someone.
To sum everything up:
-Advertising is your friend.
-Must generate a good profit.
-Has to have a big/consistant market for the product/service for it to be worth it.
-Be prepared for lots of work with little pay for the first while and even years later after start up of your business.
-Have a job and work for someone else. Whether its for minimum wage or 6 figures a year.
-Have ownership of a small business where the job actually owns you because if you step away, you stop making money.
-Own a larger business that has a cash flowing system that can still generate income without your constant attention. People pay a lot of money for systems. This is why franchises are so popular.
-Be an Investor where your money works for you.
Highly recommend both of these books to any aspiring entrepreneur.
Also recommend:
But this was one of the first books I read in college that got me on the entrepreneurial path:
There's so many other that I could list when it comes to productivity and selling. Anyone else have some favorites?
