8 answers
BIG R
Student
Roseau, Minnesota
3
Questions
Updated
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What age is the best age to start your own business?
Could I start right when I get out of college?
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8 answers
Martha D. Kramer
Corporate Training and Communications
93
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Martha D.’s Answer
Hi Big R, what an interesting question! The answer depends on various factors, such as what kind of business, what market(s), your product knowledge, and your business experience; for example:
- Is this a business you could start small, such as do on your own? If so, you could potentially start in college or even in high school. But make sure you still have time to do your school work and care for your mental and physical health at the same time.
- If not, it would be good to wait until after college. Before starting - or at least working full-time on - your business, make sure you have the knowledge and experience you need to be successful. If that type of business already exists, maybe plan to work a few years (or at least a couple of internships) for someone else. The more complex the product is, the more you would benefit from working for someone else first. This would also help you identify and work with potential partners or vendors.
- Markets could be defined in various ways, such as geographical or demographic. Again, working for someone else first might help you clarify the markets you want to pursue as well as develop a track record you could use to establish credibility.
- Funding is a big issue for many new businesses. Initially, you could use your own savings and/or credit and then ask family or friends. If you eventually need venture funding or a loan, you would likely be more successful if you have a few years of work experience after college.
- Even if you are not running your own business yet, you could lay the groundwork, such as writing your business plan, establishing an advisory board, attending professional conferences to both learn and network, and learn about business laws in your state.
Wishing you good luck!
- Is this a business you could start small, such as do on your own? If so, you could potentially start in college or even in high school. But make sure you still have time to do your school work and care for your mental and physical health at the same time.
- If not, it would be good to wait until after college. Before starting - or at least working full-time on - your business, make sure you have the knowledge and experience you need to be successful. If that type of business already exists, maybe plan to work a few years (or at least a couple of internships) for someone else. The more complex the product is, the more you would benefit from working for someone else first. This would also help you identify and work with potential partners or vendors.
- Markets could be defined in various ways, such as geographical or demographic. Again, working for someone else first might help you clarify the markets you want to pursue as well as develop a track record you could use to establish credibility.
- Funding is a big issue for many new businesses. Initially, you could use your own savings and/or credit and then ask family or friends. If you eventually need venture funding or a loan, you would likely be more successful if you have a few years of work experience after college.
- Even if you are not running your own business yet, you could lay the groundwork, such as writing your business plan, establishing an advisory board, attending professional conferences to both learn and network, and learn about business laws in your state.
Wishing you good luck!
Rebecca Tang
Banking
2615
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. There is no definite age to start the business, it depends on the readiness on your knowledge and experience .to start the business.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Have your thought about what industry you would like to start your business? Consider something you have strength or you have interest.
2. Do some analysis on the industry, e.g. competition status, entry criteria, any alternative / substitute, etc.?
3. Attend courses related to the 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!
Below are my suggestions :
1. Have your thought about what industry you would like to start your business? Consider something you have strength or you have interest.
2. Do some analysis on the industry, e.g. competition status, entry criteria, any alternative / substitute, etc.?
3. Attend courses related to the 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!
Manish Dewan
4
Answers
Gurugram, Haryana, India
Updated
Manish’s Answer
There's no set age to start your own business, and you're never too late to begin. It's important to be prepared to go the extra mile, but also to plan how you'll manage expenses. Having a solid revenue model will help keep your business running smoothly, even if it doesn't make money right away.
Choose a business that aligns with your skills and strengths, so you can make the most of what you already know while learning and exploring new opportunities.
Choose a business that aligns with your skills and strengths, so you can make the most of what you already know while learning and exploring new opportunities.
Fehmi Sami
4
Answers
London, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Fehmi’s Answer
Any age - truly ANY AGE - right from childhood is FINE!
Its the enterprising awakening that stimulates and charges the mindset.
You should start experimenting and developing any ideas, leads, passions, interests etc. you have that inspire you.
Note down immediately whatever ideas come to mind and then (a) research what has been already accomplished, (b) develop your own thoughts that may either develop want has already been done further, or brand new ones that you strongly believe have potential.
One may not succeed (note I do not like to use the word 'fail') on a few but every experience makes one wiser for the next one - to develop, create critical mass, and find avenues that will help mobilise resources to enhance your business aspirations....
Remember a lot of Great successes we see today started from garage start-ups.
Good Luck!
Its the enterprising awakening that stimulates and charges the mindset.
You should start experimenting and developing any ideas, leads, passions, interests etc. you have that inspire you.
Note down immediately whatever ideas come to mind and then (a) research what has been already accomplished, (b) develop your own thoughts that may either develop want has already been done further, or brand new ones that you strongly believe have potential.
One may not succeed (note I do not like to use the word 'fail') on a few but every experience makes one wiser for the next one - to develop, create critical mass, and find avenues that will help mobilise resources to enhance your business aspirations....
Remember a lot of Great successes we see today started from garage start-ups.
Good Luck!
Liam Rielly
Data Center Technician
192
Answers
Manassas, Virginia
Updated
Liam’s Answer
I like Martha's answer, there is a lot of thought in the answer!
My answer is start now. Start something as a business now and change it to what you want it to be later on.
Figure out how to sell yourself or sell something you have. The more you rely on yourself as a business the easier it will be to run a business later in life.
There is nothing wrong with going to school, working starbucks or walmart during the week, and doing odd jobs on the weekends as your own business. I think one of the fundamental problems in teaching younger people is that a business needs to be an established and reputable entity out of the gate before it can be considered a serious business, this is simply not the case. A guy showing up with a shovel that works for ___$ per job or per hour can be a business. Some of the most successful people I know just had ambition and stuck with the work until it started to pay off the way they wanted.
The opposite is there is nothing wrong with working at a McDonalds and figuring out how to make money, working your way up to a manager, using that manager training to move to a different company, and then starting a business as you are stable and better educated about how to work a job. Ambition is the key not timing and money.
https://www.khanacademy.org/college-careers-more/financial-literacy
My answer is start now. Start something as a business now and change it to what you want it to be later on.
Figure out how to sell yourself or sell something you have. The more you rely on yourself as a business the easier it will be to run a business later in life.
There is nothing wrong with going to school, working starbucks or walmart during the week, and doing odd jobs on the weekends as your own business. I think one of the fundamental problems in teaching younger people is that a business needs to be an established and reputable entity out of the gate before it can be considered a serious business, this is simply not the case. A guy showing up with a shovel that works for ___$ per job or per hour can be a business. Some of the most successful people I know just had ambition and stuck with the work until it started to pay off the way they wanted.
The opposite is there is nothing wrong with working at a McDonalds and figuring out how to make money, working your way up to a manager, using that manager training to move to a different company, and then starting a business as you are stable and better educated about how to work a job. Ambition is the key not timing and money.
Liam recommends the following next steps:
Thank you for your kind words, Liam!
Martha D. Kramer
Rebecca Aidoo
Fashion specialists
41
Answers
Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
There is no perfect age to start a business. What matters most is your readiness, not your age. Some people start in their teens, while others begin much later in life.
You can absolutely start a business right after college, or even while you are still in school.
However, before you begin, it is important to reflect honestly on whether you are prepared for the demands of running a business. Ask yourself:
Do I have the time and energy to commit consistently?
Am I ready to handle uncertainty and take risks?
Do I have access to the resources, financial or otherwise, to get started?
Am I willing to learn, adapt, and stay resilient when things do not go as planned?
Your answers to these questions will help you decide whether to start now or wait until you complete college.
You can absolutely start a business right after college, or even while you are still in school.
However, before you begin, it is important to reflect honestly on whether you are prepared for the demands of running a business. Ask yourself:
Do I have the time and energy to commit consistently?
Am I ready to handle uncertainty and take risks?
Do I have access to the resources, financial or otherwise, to get started?
Am I willing to learn, adapt, and stay resilient when things do not go as planned?
Your answers to these questions will help you decide whether to start now or wait until you complete college.
Alan Kozlowski
Global Learning and Development
7
Answers
New Lenox, Illinois
Updated
Alan’s Answer
Great question! There really is no best time to start a business. Take a look at a young man in Schuylerville, NY who started a dog treat business at the age of 10 and got backing from a local bank. For him, maybe the business succeeds or not but the lessons he is learning are as valuable as what he could ever learn in school. Do your research! Congratulations on having the drive to believe in yourself and wanting to start a business. You sound well on your way to being a successful entrepreneur.
Marisol Mena Bonilla
Project Manager
15
Answers
San José, Costa Rica
Updated
Marisol’s Answer
There’s no “perfect” age to start a business. Some people start very young, while others wait until they’ve gained more experience. What matters most is preparation, consistency, and being willing to learn.
Yes, you absolutely could start a business right after college. In fact, college can be a great time to build skills, network, test ideas, and learn about industries that interest you. Starting younger can also give you more flexibility to take risks and grow through experience.
At the same time, it’s okay if your first business is small or imperfect. Many successful entrepreneurs learn as they go. The important thing is staying adaptable, learning from mistakes, and continuing to improve over time.
Yes, you absolutely could start a business right after college. In fact, college can be a great time to build skills, network, test ideas, and learn about industries that interest you. Starting younger can also give you more flexibility to take risks and grow through experience.
At the same time, it’s okay if your first business is small or imperfect. Many successful entrepreneurs learn as they go. The important thing is staying adaptable, learning from mistakes, and continuing to improve over time.