Have a unique idea that will serve others and provide you with income? Thinking of being an entrepreneur? You’re certainly not alone. Whatever your great idea may be, the possibilities are endless. There’s a big difference between wanting to do something and actually doing it, though. It involves intentional action. A fantastic idea is of little value without thoughtful execution. So when do you think is the right time to start a business? Opinions vary, but there are quite a few advantages of doing it when you’re young. Here are a few reasons why.
1. Experience
Have you been spending a lot of time in classrooms, labs, and corporate environments? They’re valuable settings, but you’ll miss out on some crucial lessons if you stay there. Learning something in a hands-on way is a powerful teacher. There’s no one telling you how to do things or what needs to be done. You have to come up with your own ideas, employee policies, and cash flow strategies. There’s little or no safety net. All of these lessons are compelling and can only come from direct experience.
2. Stakes
Unless you’re in an unusual living situation, you’ll probably have fewer responsibilities as a young person. You’re not yet at the point where you have a mortgage or family, and you might even still be on your parents’ health insurance policy. There aren’t people depending on you for their lives. The stakes are much lower. What’s more, you have much more time to devote all of your energy to making your business idea become a reality. Taking a year or two off with a co-founder/roomie is much less of a risk than taking time off as a breadwinner.
3. Risk
If (and when!) you fail, fail well. Learn something from it. As a young entrepreneur, you can more easily absorb this type of risk. If your business goes under, granted — it’ll be difficult and discouraging. But there’s quite a bit of resiliency in youth, and you’ll be more likely to get your energy and motivation back quickly.
4. Assets
If you approach your strategy as an entrepreneur the right way, you have the potential of building significant long-term assets early on. You can grow a significant passive income over the years, setting yourself up for long-term stability.
Starting a business when young has distinct advantages. Consider these factors as you make your plan.
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