The Hard Truths About Being a Young Entrepreneur
Millennials, we are in a unique space in time, where pursuing entrepreneurship is a credible career choice. It wasn’t always. Generations before us were taught to find a ‘good job’, stay as long as you can and retire as soon as possible. But things have changed.
When I launched Mogul in 2014, I knew the commitment would be a challenge, but one that I would welcome with optimistic vigor and determination. As a young entrepreneur, I have learned to run through and jump over obstacles, and embrace them as opportunities—fail forward, a concept my father taught me at an early age. Being an entrepreneur doesn’t come with a step-by-step manual, and making mistakes and bouncing back (or forward) from them will eventually work in your favor. With enough passion, the possibilities of expanding your ideas are limitless.
The growing success of Mogul didn’t manifest overnight; it took many months, trials, and errors to get to where we are today: reaching more than 18 million women per week from over 196 countries and 30,470 cities worldwide. For those in the first phases of carving out an entrepreneurial path, I’ve listed the hard truths I’ve learned along the way and my take on how to not let them defeat you, but instead empower you.
Be prepared to be the “Youngest in Charge”
It can be intimidating to be the “boss” of someone who has been in the workforce longer than you. Hierarchy comes in all shapes and forms. Remember that these people are on your team because they believe in you and in the product and mission. You can earn their trust and respect through a collaborative learning process, where you engage in an exchange of information and ideas, unfettered by titles or age.
Some may think you’re too green.
People tend to judge millennials and entrepreneurs immediately after meeting us, claiming our perceived lack of experience and age directly correlates to our knowledge and success. It’s not unusual to feel undermined when being referred to as “too young” or “green.” You can prove them wrong (and yourself right) by prototyping rapidly, iterating towards perfection over time, and solidifying your concept with cold, hard facts. I would not be where I am today if I made decisions based on other people’s assumptions about my experience, knowledge, and drive.
Your personal life will change.
Note that your personal life—friendships, family, romantic relationships—will change. While your friends are partying and staying up until dawn, you will be devoting your waking hours to turning your dreams and business plan into reality. This doesn’t mean that those cherished relationships will end, but it is important to also develop friendships with like-minded entrepreneurs, and support their initiatives. Over time, you'll find yourself attending their events and product launches and vice versa. The good news is you will have fun collaborating and supporting one another in a way that will accelerate both your personal and professional triumphs. It’s a small sacrifice for a big payoff.
The disbelievers will always be around.
There will be people you encounter who will doubt your idea, telling you it’s not financially sustainable and/or that it doesn’t align with their beliefs. Don’t succumb to the whims and words of people who always say ‘no’. Be solution-oriented and build your resiliency against those who attempt to instill doubt and fear within you. You will hear the word “no” a hundred times a day in a hundred different ways. Accept that. But learn how to build your team, and surround yourself with people who believe in you.
Every young entrepreneur will make sacrifices and mistakes on their path to success. What will set you apart and further strengthen you is how you respond to the obstacles, doubts, and criticism along the way.
Are you an entrepreneur? What hard lessons have you learned?
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