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College or A Business?

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doobiebrotha
Posts: 760 - Karma: 8
Just wondering what the more mature and older community thinks about this?


Either going to college for four years or however many. Or spending that time and exert just as much effort, if not more into creating a business?


solid answers and discussions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

May 31 2011 8:16PM
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doobiebrotha
Posts: 760 - Karma: 8
Also i've been talking to this guy in vancouver who does boat wraps like this, it's a super thin material that can handle salt water. so snow wouldn't be a problem. And he offered me to come out and he would teach me all about this, the printer machines used and everything i need to know about the product itself. He thinks it's an awesome idea and would love to help me get started. He sells around 2000 wraps for 3500$ a year, so he's definitely doing well and chillen! I would just need to learn a lot about the business aspects itself.


May 31 2011 10:13PM
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pounds.
Posts: 837 - Karma: 55
It seems like you already have made up your mind on starting a business rather than college. You keep justifying the idea of not going to college, after every single person in this thread has said it is the smarter idea. You also say that you might not be able to handle college, which I think in itself shows that there is no way you could start your own business. In college you have the help of all your peers and professors, whereas in the real world, everything you do is on your own, especially when starting a business. Your idea for a business is neat, but I can assure you it will not be as successful as you think it will be right now. A simple thing like that targets a very select community and even within that community, a very small margin will actually be interested in your product. In order to keep a business on its feet, you will either have to find a product that EVERYONE in a select area will feel the need to purchase, or create an idea that applies to the whole population.

I'd say go to college, get your head straight. Decide what it is you want to do with the rest of your life. College is an investment, and your internships, networking, and job opportunities will get you started on a successful life much better than an idea that applies to a very small portion of the population. In the end, I just fail to see how your idea or any business for that matter at this stage in your life will turn a profit.
May 31 2011 10:19PM
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pierson
Posts: 90 - Karma: 170
I havent read through this whole thread but based on some of the stuff I read you need to go to college.

There are some things you can learn on your own and others you can't. Also I have been working on a pretty serious business while at school and its easy to do both. A lot of the stuff you learn is totally useless but there is also a lot of information that is important. Also most new businesses fail, the success rate is extremely low, and most entrepreneurs start 5,10,20? ventures that fail before they find the successful one. You spend all your money on your first venture, fuck one thing up, and it fails, then what?

(Don't think to yourself oh I won't mess up i'm smart because what if this happens: I have $10,000 to start a compay. I spend 2gs on designing shit, the website, marketing, whatever. I spend the other 8 on inventory that a mfger obviously has to make. They fuck up and all of my products aren't sellable. Then what? You can get totally fucked and it might not have even been your mistake or fault, just bad luck.)

If you went to school you good at least get a solid job to support yourself and gather capital for your next idea.

Also there are other benifits to a college degree that you wouldn't think of. For instance say you need a $20,000 loan from a bank for inventory. You think a bank is going to just give that to you? Your chances would be way higher with a college degree/track record. Or for instance say you spend all your money on college right? You need some money to start a business, most legiti colleges have programs and competitions where you can win 5-10gs to start a company. Or at least they will help you find grant money to develop it.

Also do not major in entrepreneurship, do it as a minor.
May 31 2011 10:34PM
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pierson
Posts: 90 - Karma: 170
Also after reading the above I have to add this.

That idea would never amount to even a lifestyle business (one that you could live off.) And maybe thats your best idea right now, but thats fine. They amount of inspiration at college is enormous and that is another positive about it. You can meet people, network, learn, come up with new ideas, run them by a diverse group of peers or professors. It isn't that nesicarily that you will learn very much but its the other stuff that really counts.
May 31 2011 10:39PM
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soulskier
Posts: 17805 - Karma: 3,821
i'd go college
May 31 2011 10:40PM
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doobiebrotha
Posts: 760 - Karma: 8
It's definitely not that i'm not fit for college and can't handle it. I just feel doing something i'm into and love, i'm going to put double the amount of effort into this then i would in college!

but seriously thanks for the input everyone! you know if this is what i end up doing, the first place you'll be hearing about it is on here!!
May 31 2011 10:44PM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124

Never went to college well except for 140 hours to get my emt. Did a few years in the service taught me all the life lessons I needed and how to kill people as an added bonus. I learned a few trades and aquired skills. I work for my self in a number of business and lead a comfortable life granted I have a super cool sucessful wife which helps. I make most of my $$ in the summer and ski every day. Most  of my highschool friends went to college had a blast and are now stuck in jobs/careers they tolerate but don't love. So I say go for it . Fuck workin for the man and paying to learn shit you can learn on your own for free.

Skills pay the bills so if you got em use em. If the business fails you can always go to school later in life.

Oh and no I'd never pay for a ski wrap fwif

May 31 2011 11:17PM
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doobiebrotha
Posts: 760 - Karma: 8
one more question?


What are your guys's thoughts on online business classes and colleges?
May 31 2011 11:29PM
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SirFryanator
Posts: 11149 - Karma: 1,415
unless you're a pro athlete or have something ALREADY going on that is a huge part of your life outside of academics, don't do it.

we've all been telling you. go to college. it's worth it.
May 31 2011 11:32PM
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SirFryanator
Posts: 11149 - Karma: 1,415
oh and you can take a year off too if you want, it's not like it's set in stone. that's what I did and I am so glad for it otherwise I wouldn't have been ready in the slightest.
May 31 2011 11:32PM
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MrPantyDropper
Posts: 5016 - Karma: 65
i gave you my opinion man...thats all it is. it shouldnt hurt your feelings.

if your really set on starting your own business i would go to community college for 2 years and then decide where you want to go from there. it will only set you back about 4-5gs, youll have matured and gained some sort of knowledge on marketing, economics, management, etc.

there a lot of factors to consider and a lot of resources needed, which most highschoolers dont posses.
not saying its impossible, but realistically you probably wouldnt succeed if you were to start a business today.



May 31 2011 11:41PM
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doobiebrotha
Posts: 760 - Karma: 8
ya i've already taken a year off, going on 2 this fall.. And definitely want to do something with my life this year!

and if you're saying go to college it's worth it, are you meaning it's more worth going to a real college then an online one because it's more fun and all that?


and to the guy above, that's more the response i'd like to see, and i couldn't agree more that if i were to start a business tomorrow i'd fail miserably!


Jun 1 2011 12:02AM
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Jennings
Posts: 2190 - Karma: 90
EC Headwear?
Jun 7 2011 6:34PM
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