The Guide 18-25

Approximately 1 Hour ReadI've been there and I've done that. I've tried it all. It began at just 16 years old, I launched my first business. Before that I witnessed my father go from job to job, succeed and fail at a restaurant startup, and then begin a ceramic's business soon after my parents divorced.Unbenouced to me I would take a similar path in my life over the next 10 years, after founding my first business at age 16. I began by supplying snacks and candy to over 1000 high school kids. I quickly learned being in business for myself was challenging yet very rewarding. I made the most money I had ever made in my who life profiting over $100 a day as a sophomore in high school. I learned a few hard lessons about supply and demand, blowing through profits, being a great salesman, over saturated markets, and not planning at all is planning to fail.Shortly after blowing through profits and not meeting the demands of my consumers in a saturated market my business failed. It was time to move on. I began working in my schools booster club snack bar. I wasn't making nearly as much money, as a matter of fact I made a total of zeros dollars. But this is where I learned about hard work for no pay and benefits. Free snacks and a boosted social status was my only pay off.So, lesson learned I don't want to work for free but sometimes it is necessary to build relationships and gain experience, I spent 2 years doing that and though I wasn't paid it was not a complete waste of time. Plus I had something for my resume. So I thought.After graduating high school I applied for over 100 jobs, yeah thats a whole lot of printed applications, resume revisions, and constant denials and disappointments, it is only now that I realize how this has propelled me forward and strengthened me as a businessman and entrepreneur.But in the midst of all the rejections and disappointments, I continued to invest in myself, renewed my mind, and somehow gather the confidence to start some more businesses. I began landscaping and my business grew by word of mouth. I learned the value of authenticity and money earned by hard labor. You can read more about that in my book "The Guide 18-25... and just about everyone else" You can also find out about my curb painting business, personal training, and becoming a published author.Through every success and failure there is a lesson to be learned only by experience. If you choose to get up and keep going, if you refine yourself, renew your mind, and refresh your values you will come to learn the world that only exist inside you. The world that only you can bring forth through your unique experiences and the value you bring to the world.You must find it, on your path and in your time. It took me 10 years and you will find too can find yours if you just keep going. And if it is not a set path, you will find the tools to carve it out.The most important business question I asked myself is where do I fit in all this and what would I enjoy doing every day. I enjoy exploring, speaking to others, teaching and coaching others through life. This is my path I have the power to choose what I do.