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I want to create my own business. I like coding and want to create something in the CS field; a product, service, anything. I need guidance for this. How do I do it?

I am a high schooler in 9th grade and creating my own business has always been my goal. I want to gain experience and make something for myself.

business computer-software business-development
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Joshua’s Answer

Starting your own computer science (CS) business is an incredible goal, and it’s great that you’re already thinking about this in 9th grade. You're off to a strong start with your passion for coding and an entrepreneurial mindset. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create a product or service, gain experience, and begin your journey toward building a successful business.

Step 1: Identify a Problem to Solve

Every successful business starts by solving a problem or meeting a need. Think about daily challenges or areas where technology could improve efficiency, convenience, or enjoyment. For example:

- Could you create a coding platform to help beginners learn to program?
- Is there an app idea to simplify a task for students or teachers?
- Could you develop a tool for small businesses to streamline operations?

Take some time to brainstorm ideas, and don’t hesitate to ask friends, family, or classmates about their challenges and what tools they wish they had.

Step 2: Build Your Skills

You’ll need strong coding and technical skills to turn your idea into reality. Since you’re already interested in coding, focus on the following:

Learning the Basics: Strengthen your skills in beginner-friendly programming languages like Python, JavaScript, or HTML/CSS.
Specializing: Depending on your idea, learn relevant technologies. For example:
- For web applications: Learn React or Node.js.
- For mobile apps: Explore Flutter or Swift.
- For AI-powered tools: Dive into machine learning using libraries like TensorFlow or PyTorch.

Online platforms like FreeCodeCamp, Khan Academy, and Codecademy are great places to continue learning.

Step 3: Start Small with a Project

Once you have an idea and basic skills, start building a small prototype or Minimum Viable Product (MVP). The MVP doesn’t need to be perfect—it’s a simple version of your idea that demonstrates its functionality. For example:

- If you’re building an app, create a basic version with just one or two features.
- If you’re creating a tool, make a demo that solves a small, specific problem.

Use platforms like GitHub to share your project and get feedback from the coding community. This process helps you refine your idea and identify areas for improvement.

Step 4: Research the Market

To make your product or service successful, it’s essential to understand your target audience and competition. Research who might use your solution, their needs, and competitors' offerings. You can:

Conduct surveys to gather opinions from potential users.
- Look at existing products or services similar to your idea and identify their strengths and weaknesses.
- Use tools like Google Trends to see if your idea aligns with current interests.

This step helps you position your business uniquely and attract your audience.

Step 5: Learn the Basics of Business

Even the best products need a strong business foundation. Learn the essentials of starting and running a business, including:

- Business Planning: Write a simple business plan outlining your goals, target audience, and revenue model. You can use templates from websites like SCORE or LivePlan.
- Budgeting: Learn to manage costs, such as domain hosting, marketing, or software tools.
- Marketing: Learn how to promote your product through social media, websites, or word-of-mouth.

Consider joining entrepreneur-focused programs for students, such as Junior Achievement or DECA, to gain hands-on experience.

Step 6: Seek Feedback and Iterate

Once your prototype is ready, please share it with friends, family, or online communities to gather feedback. Platforms like Reddit (e.g., r/startups or r/learnprogramming) are excellent for receiving constructive advice. Use the feedback to improve your product and make it more user-friendly.

Step 7: Launch Your Product or Service

When your product is polished, it’s time to launch! Create a website or use app stores like Google Play or Apple App Store to make it accessible. Promote it through:

- Social Media: Share updates and engage with potential users on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
- Community Engagement: Attend coding meetups, tech fairs, or hackathons to showcase your work.
- Freemium Models: Offer a free version to attract users and a premium version for advanced features.

Step 8: Grow and Learn

Once your business is live, focus on growing it by listening to users, adding features, and improving based on feedback. At the same time, continue building your skills and knowledge in coding and entrepreneurship. Join online communities, read books like "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries, and follow tech leaders for inspiration.
Encouragement

Starting a business in the computer science field is an ambitious and rewarding journey. The fact that you’re thinking about this as a 9th grader shows your determination and vision. Remember, every successful entrepreneur starts small, learns from mistakes, and grows through experience. By combining your coding skills with your passion for creating something impactful, you’re already on the right path. Keep dreaming big, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to take risks—you have what it takes to make your vision a reality!
Thank you comment icon Thanks for your reply! I just wanted to ask, do you face any problems, either on the computer or even something else. Any problem would work, whether it's small or big. Anything you want made easier? I'm just trying to collect ideas. Taksh
Thank you comment icon Here is a list of 10 ideas off the top of my head that you may want to look into more: 1. Organizing Digital Files 2. Simplifying Task Management 3. Improving Online Learning 4. Customizing Workflows 5. Simplifying Password Management 6. Enhancing Virtual Meetings 7. Improving Accessibility 8. Eco-Friendly Tools 9. Better Health and Fitness Tracking 10. Streamlining Social Media Use Joshua Allard, Ph.D., M.S, B.S
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Adit’s Answer

Starting a business in computer science as a 9th grader is an exciting goal! Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Explore Your Interests and Identify a Problem
Think about issues you face or observe in your community, school, or hobbies.
Ask: Can I solve this with a product, app, or service? For example, could you build a study planner app for students or an easy-to-use website builder for beginners?

2. Build Skills and Gain Knowledge
Learn programming languages like Python, JavaScript, or HTML/CSS.
Explore platforms like Scratch, Replit, or GitHub to practice building projects.
Take free courses (e.g., Codecademy, Khan Academy, or YouTube tutorials) to improve your coding and entrepreneurship skills.

3. Start Small with a Simple Idea
Build a basic prototype or MVP (Minimum Viable Product). For example:
A website to teach kids coding.
A budgeting tool for students.
A browser extension to track assignments.

4. Test and Improve
Share your product with friends or classmates to gather feedback.
Use that feedback to refine your idea and make it more useful.

5. Learn the Basics of Business
Research business models (e.g., subscriptions, ads, or one-time purchases).
Learn about branding, creating a website, and promoting on social media.
Look into funding options, such as small grants or crowdfunding.

6. Network and Seek Mentors
Join coding communities or entrepreneurship clubs in your school or online.
Reach out to professionals or local entrepreneurs for advice and guidance.

Start small, focus on learning, and don’t be afraid to fail—every experience is a step toward success. You’re already thinking big, and that’s an incredible start!
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Z’s Answer

Hi Taksh,

It's so great that you're already thinking of starting a business! Most of the greatest businesses solve some sort of challenge that people face and they solve it well and for a price point that the user deems worthy of paying. I'd advise you to start looking for existing pain points either in your life or in the lives of those around you that you think you can solve, and building a product around that hypothesis.

Best of luck!!
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Evan’s Answer

Thats an awesome question.

When you are creating a company you are really creating that company to solve a problem or need. It is better that the problem that you are trying to address is something that you are passionate about. Its been my experience that the best companies don't have all the answers when they begin but rather they have the ability to pivot or change when they see things are not working well.

Be authentic and honest with yourself too.

Starting a company is a lot of work and you will need that desire to see you through

Good luck
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Chinyere’s Answer

Hello Taksh,

Good question! It's fantastic to see your entrepreneurial spirit shining through at such a young age! Here are some steps to help you get started with creating your own business in the computer science field:

1. Identify Your Passion and Niche
- Passion: Think about what excites you the most in coding. Is it web development, app development, game design, AI, or something else?
- Niche: Find a specific problem that you can solve or a need you can fulfill within your area of interest. This will help you stand out and cater to a specific audience.

2. Research and Plan
- Market Research: Investigate similar products or services that already exist. What are their strengths and weaknesses? How can you differentiate your offering?
- Business Plan: Outline your business idea, target market, competition analysis, marketing strategy, and financial projections. This will be your roadmap.

3. Learn and Build
- Skills: Continuously improve your coding skills. Use online resources, tutorials, and coding bootcamps.
- Prototype: Start by creating a minimum viable product (MVP). This is a basic version of your product that you can test and improve.

4. Get Feedback
- Test: Share your MVP with friends, family, or a small group of users. Gather their feedback and make necessary improvements.
- Iterate: Use the feedback to refine and enhance your product. Repeat this process until you’re confident in your offering.

5. Launch and Promote
- Launch: When you’re ready, launch your product or service. Create a website or a platform where users can access it.
- Promotion: Use social media, blogs, and forums to promote your business. Networking within coding communities can also help spread the word.

6. Learn Business Basics
- Finance: Understand the basics of managing money, including budgeting, pricing, and financial tracking.
- Legal: Learn about any legal requirements, such as registering your business and understanding taxes.

7. Seek Mentorship
- Mentors: Connect with experienced entrepreneurs or professionals in the CS field. Their guidance can be invaluable.
- Communities: Join coding or entrepreneurial groups and attend events or meetups to expand your network.

Resources
- Online Courses: Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Khan Academy offer courses on coding and entrepreneurship.
- Books: Read books like "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries and "Zero to One" by Peter Thiel for business insights.

Starting a business is a journey filled with learning and growth. Embrace the challenges, stay curious, and keep pushing forward. You've got the passion and drive—now it's time to turn your dream into reality!

You've got this!

Best wishes!
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Michelle’s Answer

Hello, Taksh !


It's great to see someone from Folsom here - I used to know your town well ! From what I understand, it has grown and expanded, so opening a business there would be ideal !Before opening a business, there are some things you have to situate and/or accomplish. Decide if your business is a service or a product, obtain thorough education and training for it, know how much money you'll need to invest in it and recognize a support system that will help you make your business a reality.

You will specifically need to learn how to write a business profile for your specific business. There are local regulations and requirements to open a business in Folsom, so you will have to know them so you can adhere to the guidelines. There is no age requirement to obtain a business license - which you'll need. You will also need to show financial stability and write up a business plan. To learn more about this you would contact the City of Folsom Processing Center at (916) 458-4753, visit them at City Hall at 50 Natoma Street, Folsom, CA 95630., or e-mail them at folsomsupport @ muniservices .com. I left a link below for the City of Folsom on which there is information about opening a business. (this program does not allow me to put e-mail addresses or links in the body of my response so excuse how the e-mail address is indicated.).

My advice is to begin with the education. Take as many business classes as possible in high school until you graduate. You will also need to be an expert in the subject connected to your product or service. Try to obtain employment as soon as you can so you can start saving money to invest into your business. Before starting, you're going to have to be sure of what business you're going to start up. That will give you more detail as to how to open a business.

You will learn things as you go along in your high school business classes and can consider attending college after you graduate. You would receive an excellent education for how to start a business and you will develop the expertise in what your business product or service is.

I hope this helps and I wish you all the best with your business education and plans.

Michelle recommends the following next steps:

THE CITY OF FOLSOM - GO TO THE "OPENING OR EXPANDING YOUR BUSINESS" LINK https://www.folsom.ca.us/business
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James Constantine’s Answer

Good Day Taksh!

Step 1: Identify Your Interests and Skills

Before starting a business, it’s essential to understand what you are passionate about and what skills you possess. Since you mentioned that you like coding, consider what areas of computer science interest you the most. This could include web development, mobile app development, game design, artificial intelligence, or software engineering. Reflect on your experiences in school and any projects you’ve worked on to identify where your strengths lie.

Step 2: Research Market Needs

Once you have a clear understanding of your interests and skills, the next step is to research potential market needs. Look for problems that people face in everyday life or inefficiencies in existing products or services. You can conduct surveys among peers, family members, or community members to gather insights into their challenges. Online platforms like Reddit or Quora can also provide valuable feedback on common issues people encounter.

Step 3: Brainstorm Business Ideas

With a list of interests and identified market needs, brainstorm potential business ideas that align with both. For example:

A mobile app that helps students manage their homework and deadlines.
A website offering coding tutorials for beginners.
A game that teaches programming concepts through interactive challenges.

Write down all ideas without filtering them initially; later, you can evaluate which ones are feasible and exciting.

Step 4: Validate Your Idea

After narrowing down your ideas, it’s crucial to validate them. This means ensuring there is a demand for your product or service. You can create a simple prototype or a landing page describing your idea and share it with potential users to gauge interest. Tools like Google Forms can help collect feedback efficiently.

Step 5: Develop a Business Plan

A solid business plan outlines how you will turn your idea into reality. It should include:

Executive Summary: A brief overview of your business concept.
Market Analysis: Insights into your target audience and competitors.
Marketing Strategy: How you plan to attract customers.
Operational Plan: Details on how the business will operate daily.
Financial Projections: Estimated costs and revenue streams.

This document will serve as a roadmap for your business journey.

Step 6: Start Building Your Product

With a validated idea and a business plan in place, begin developing your product or service. If you’re creating software, start coding! Utilize online resources such as Codecademy or freeCodeCamp to enhance your coding skills if needed. Collaborating with classmates who have complementary skills (like graphic design) can also be beneficial.

Step 7: Test Your Product

Before launching fully, test your product with real users to gather feedback on usability and functionality. This could involve beta testing with friends or family who fit within your target demographic. Use their feedback to make necessary adjustments before the official launch.

Step 8: Launch Your Business

Once you’re satisfied with the product based on testing feedback, prepare for launch! Create an online presence through social media platforms relevant to your audience (like Instagram or Twitter) and consider setting up a website using platforms like Wix or WordPress.

Step 9: Market Your Business

Utilize various marketing strategies such as social media marketing, content marketing (blogs/videos), email newsletters, and possibly paid advertising if budget allows. Engaging with communities related to your niche can also help spread the word about your new venture.

Step 10: Learn from Experience

After launching, continuously monitor user feedback and performance metrics to improve your product over time. Stay adaptable; learning from successes and failures is key in entrepreneurship.

By following these steps methodically while leveraging available resources at school (like teachers or clubs), you’ll gain valuable experience in building something meaningful in the computer science field.

Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:

1. Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA provides comprehensive resources for entrepreneurs including guides on starting businesses, writing business plans, funding options, and legal requirements tailored for small businesses.

2. Harvard Business Review (HBR)
HBR offers insights into effective business strategies through articles written by experts in various fields including entrepreneurship which helps aspiring entrepreneurs understand market dynamics better.

3. Codecademy
Codecademy is an interactive platform that offers coding classes across various programming languages which is essential for anyone looking to develop software products effectively while gaining practical experience in coding.

Probability the answer is correct: 95%

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Robert’s Answer

Taksh,

I have found that in every major city, there is a volunteer Small Business Administration (SBA) group that helps entrepreneurs build business cases, describe their business goals, and tell them where to go to get additional information. I took advantage of this resource in Texas to pursue a retail business.
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Rebecca’s Answer

Thank you for your question. I am glad to hear that you would like to be an entrepreneur.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Do more research on CS field and identify what you would business you would like to do
2. Do some analysis on the industry, eg entry criteria, competition status, any alternative/ substitute, etc?
3. Attend industry related courses and management courses
4. Work in the industry some time to understand the business model and establish people network
5. Start the business online first if possible
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
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Patrick’s Answer

When my child expressed interest in starting their own business, especially in the field of coding and computer science, we realized that it’s an exciting journey but also one that requires careful planning and guidance. Since you’re in 9th grade and already thinking about starting your own business, you’re ahead of the game! The first thing to do is really think about what kind of product or service you want to create. Do you want to build apps, offer web development services, or create software tools? Narrowing down your focus will help you figure out the steps you need to take.

Next, you’ll want to learn as much as you can about coding and entrepreneurship. It’s great that you already enjoy coding—keep practicing and expanding your skills. Websites like Codecademy - https://www.codecademy.com or freeCodeCamp - https://www.freecodecamp.org are excellent resources where you can learn different programming languages and build projects that could become part of your business. On the business side, resources like the Small Business Administration (SBA) - https://www.sba.gov or Score - https://www.score.org offer free advice and mentorship for young entrepreneurs. This helped my son since they can connect you with experienced business owners who can guide you through the steps of starting and growing your business.

Another important aspect is gaining experience. Since you’re still in high school, you might want to consider internships, freelance work, or even partnering with small businesses to get a feel for how the industry works. Here are some websites that my son used - Upwork - https://www.upwork.com or Fiverr - https://www.fiverr.com can help you find small projects to work on. This hands-on experience will be incredibly valuable when you’re ready to officially launch your own business.

You’ll also need to learn about the basics of running a business—things like creating a business plan, managing finances, and marketing your product or service. The SBA’s Youth Entrepreneurship Guide - https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/grow-your-business/youth-entrepreneurs is a great starting point, offering resources tailored for young people who want to start a business. Don’t be afraid to reach out to local business owners or agencies for advice; many are willing to help young entrepreneurs get started.

Finally, remember that starting a business is a process. It won’t happen overnight, but every step you take now, whether it’s improving your coding skills, networking, or learning about entrepreneurship will bring you closer to your goal. Keep your passion and determination, and you’ll be well on your way to building something great.
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Jason’s Answer

1. Identify Your Passion and interests
Think About Your Interests: What aspects of coding do you enjoy the most? Web development, mobile apps, game development, AI, or something else? Research Market Needs: Identify problems or gaps in the market that you can solve with your coding skills
2. Learn and Build Your Skills: Identify a tech stack that you would like to work with and that fits your needs
3. Seek out a mentor that can help guide you along the path
4. Network with other folks that are interested in your idea and build out a team to help achieve your goals.
5. Create a Business Plan
6. Develop Your Product: Start small and stay focused on a few goals at a time, seek out feedback from users of your product to help guide its direction
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