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What are the most important skills, habits, and experiences I should start developing now to successfully start and run my own business in the future?

I am currently a high school student interested in business and entrepreneurship. I enjoy working with technology and have started learning about selling products online. I want to build my own business someday, so I’m also wondering what classes or college majors would best help me reach that goal.


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Thalia’s Answer

Key skills to focus on include:

Soft skills: These are people skills like communication, being flexible, working well with others, leading effectively, and understanding emotions.

Hard skills: These are more technical abilities like managing money, analyzing data, and handling projects.

Entrepreneurial skills: These involve thinking strategically, understanding finances (like cash flow and budgeting), selling and negotiating, marketing, and being adaptable.
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Bill’s Answer

If you want to own a business someday, getting a degree in business can be useful. This could be in areas like business administration, finance, accounting, economics, marketing, or entrepreneurship. It's also a good idea to gain work experience first to learn from others. Working in the industry where you want to start your business can be especially beneficial. Think about whether you want to start a new business or buy one that already exists.
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Aaron’s Answer

Hey!
I would recommend a couple of courses on Accounting and Excel. The ones found on LinkedIn are useful
Always be organized and focused
Look for products that are actually useful and test them so you know how they work and the quality the product has.
And finally but no least important, patience is key when you are an entrepeneur

Hope it helps!
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Monica’s Answer

Skills:

Financial education
Basic accounting and cost accounting
Effective communication
Adaptability to change
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Talia’s Answer

Your greatest asset will be your network - this is true in every job whether you work for a company or yourself. I'd focus on being comfortable meeting new people, introducing yourself, and having conversations face to face.
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Molly’s Answer

The best skill you could develop is setting up your own routine and schedule for your daily life. As an entrepreneur you'll be your own boss, so being able to wake up at the same time every day, have a productive morning where you accomplish XYZ tasks, determine next steps and set short-term deadlines and meet them, etc. gives you the discipline and structure that will carry you to success. I'm still working on this myself. I believe in you!
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Nick’s Answer

I wouldn't say this is a skill per se, but a reminder is that there are a lot of sacrifices required to start a business. As you progress through the different chapters of life, the sacrifices may become harder to make. For example, if you have a family, dedicating 60 hours to your business means less time with your family compared to a 40 hr / week job. My suggestion is to pursue your business when you are able to make more sacrifices. Because this usually means when you're younger and less experienced, it's also key to find a trustworthy mentor who can guide you along the way.
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Shandini’s Answer

As you planning to start a business, I would suggest learn how money works like budgeting, expenses, pricing, basic accounting. And it's really important to improve or have a good communication and convincing skills, Be strong plan things before you implement, make sure the decision taken is not impacting the employee. learn handling customer with good service and how to promote your ideas into real.
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Catherine’s Answer

Hi there! A great first step is to look for a summer internship or volunteer work. This can help you discover what you really enjoy. Once you have a better idea, you can try taking a training course, like business courses on Coursera, to learn more. Also, don't hesitate to reach out to your high school teachers for extra guidance.
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Natalie’s Answer

Hello!

To start a business you would need to determine the specific business/industry you would like to do first. Start gaining a lot of knowledge on that type of business and do an analysis of some companies that could potentially be competitors to what your business will be. Like others have said here you would need to understand all aspects of the business such as leadership if hired other employees, operations, sales, accounting and marketing among others. I would look at different resources to learn more about all the aspects of running your own business and see what some similar business are doing that are successful. Courses for college would definitely be in general business administration, leadership, general accounting, digital marketing depending on your business type, etc. and specific courses to the type of business.

Wish you the best of luck on your journey!
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Hovendra’s Answer

Starting a successful business begins well before you actually launch it. The most important skills aren't just about business knowledge; they're about developing habits that keep you learning and adapting.

If I were starting in high school, I would focus on:

Communication skills. Being able to explain your ideas clearly, write good emails, and build relationships is very important.

Financial literacy. Learn the basics of budgeting, accounting, taxes, and cash flow. Many businesses fail because they run out of money, not because of a bad product.

Technology skills. Get comfortable with Excel, AI tools, and basic coding or website creation. Technology can help small businesses compete with larger ones.

Problem-solving and resilience. Entrepreneurship involves setbacks. Learning to handle failure and keep going is one of the most important skills you can develop.

Start small. You don't have to wait until after college to be an entrepreneur. Selling products online, offering a service in your community, or running a small side project can teach you about customers, marketing, and managing money.

As for college majors, there's no "perfect" choice. Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Computer Science, or Engineering can all provide a strong foundation. I think accounting is especially valuable because it teaches you how businesses make money, manage costs, and stay financially healthy.

Most importantly, stay curious. Read books, talk to business owners, ask questions, and never stop learning. Successful entrepreneurs are those who combine technical skills with a willingness to adapt and grow.
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Madison’s Answer

It's great that you're already exploring business and entrepreneurship while you're in high school. One of the most important things you can do right now is develop skills in communication, problem-solving, leadership, and adaptability. These skills are valuable no matter what type of business you decide to start.

I would also encourage you to gain hands-on experience whenever possible. Try selling products online, starting a small side project, joining business clubs, or finding opportunities to work with a team. Some of the best lessons come from actually trying things, making mistakes, and learning from them.

As for classes and college majors, business, marketing, entrepreneurship, finance, and technology-related fields can all be great options. Since you enjoy technology, a combination of business and technology courses could be especially valuable.

Most importantly, stay curious and keep learning. Successful entrepreneurs are often people who continuously seek new knowledge, adapt to challenges, and aren't afraid to take initiative.
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Benjamin’s Answer

This is a great question, entrepreneurship is extremely exciting but also produces its own unique challenges. There are many things to consider such as what industry/ market are you looking to work in, what product or service do plan to sell, and who is your product going to be marketed towards?

There are many different skills that can benefit you with your goals but there are few I believe are key to helping you be successful. I think at this time, building soft skills and good habits will have a great impact on your success.

- Time management/ Prioritization: knowing how to work efficiently is always important, being able to prioritize the most important task will help you be more efficient.
- clear communication: Whether it's talking to a customer or talking to coworkers being able to communicate clearly is a great skill. Clear communication is valued immensely in any field.
- Market research: Knowing how to research your market and identify trends in the market will help your business grow and be successful.
- Patience: There will be road bumps along the way, but recognizing early on that there will be growing pains will help you deal with them.
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Ben’s Answer

A lot of different skills required for this, some of which will require on the job learning / experience and others you could potentially take classes for. Soft skills like communication, collaborating with others, leadership, being able to read people, etc. or hard skills like financial analysis, project management, accounting, and whatever skills are required specific to the business you have interest in. Ultimately if you are starting your own business, you will need to be able to learn to take risks, be a self-starter, and have a willingness to work to make your business thrive.
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Selena’s Answer

Hello,

One of the best things you can do now is focus on building skills, habits that will help you understand how businesses operate. Some of the important skills to develop include communication, leadership, problem-solving, financial, marketing, and technology skills such as website building, social media among others.
To gain experience, you can start small by creating online stores, reselling products, freelancing, joining business clubs, participating in entrepreneurship competitions, or volunteering in leadership roles, part-time jobs can also teach valuable lessons about teamwork, customer relations, and responsibility.
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Rebecca’s Answer

Thank you for your question. I am glad to know you want to become an entrepreneur .
Below are my suggestions :
1. Have you thought about what industry you want to start the business ? Eg something you have strength or you have interest
2. Do some analysis on the industry, eg entry criteria, competition status, any alternative or substitute, etc
3. Attend courses related to.the industry and management courses
4. Work in the industry some time to understand the business model, establish people network and earn funding to start the business
5. Start the business online first if possible
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
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Julie’s Answer

Great question, thanks for sharing your interest in entrepreneurship! On the skills side of things, I believe two important skills you can begin practicing that will help you down the road are: time management and people skills. Time management is beneficial in any path, but in owning your own business you would really benefit from being on top of your scheduling and tasks and understanding how long things will take you. This is something you can practice in school now - managing your time between school, homework, extra curriculars, and hobbies. People skills will also be huge for starting your own business - I recommend practicing networking at any opportunity you can. Whether your school offers events, or networking with family friends, networking is an essential skill and learning to talk to and listen to others will help you a lot in starting your own business. Best of luck!
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Tracy’s Answer

It’s great that you’re already thinking about entrepreneurship this early. Some of the most important skills to develop for running your own business are:

Empathy
Communication
Critical thinking
Problem solving
Decision making

These skills help you understand customers, solve problems effectively, communicate ideas clearly, and make smart decisions under pressure. Empathy is extremely important in business because successful companies solve real problems for real people. Understanding customer needs, frustrations, and expectations helps you create better products and services.

Since you’re interested in technology and online sales, I’d also recommend learning basic finance, marketing, and tools like Excel. Starting small projects or online businesses now can give you valuable real-world experience early.

For college majors, fields like Business Administration, Marketing, Finance, or Computer Science can all help depending on the type of business you want to build.

The fact that you’re already exploring entrepreneurship and technology is a very strong start.
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Sandra’s Answer

It's great that you're thinking so far ahead! My advice would be to pursue a major that relates to the humanities such as history or political science. As the world becomes more automated, the human skills will become more and more important. In terms of traits that you could build upon, I'd say discipline. Discipline will beat motivation every time.
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Daniel’s Answer

Hi Daniel!

I agree with what others are saying about soft / hard skills. Great Advice.

BUT another thing that helped me, is start by working for a similar company! You can learn from someone in the industry who has had success / failures!

For example - if you're interested in becoming a realtor, ask your local realtors if they'd take you on as an assistant / intern!

Once you learn from their successes / failures - you will be better prepared to go out on your own!

Good Luck!!
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Fernando’s Answer

Having a business is a great way to start understanding how the market works. I recommend developing microeconomics skills, as all other branches (accounting, administration, finance, etc.) derive from it. Once you have a grasp of microeconomics, you should try to learn accounting and administration, since you don't need advanced knowledge to understand the basics. When you can account for your business and know the real numbers, you'll have taken the first step towards finance.
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Pooja’s Answer

I strongly suggest starting with a clear vision for yourself and your future business. Although this vision can change over time, having a real purpose or goal for your company will be very helpful.
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Kathryn’s Answer

If you want to start and run your own business someday, the most important thing you can do now is build a strong work ethic and keep broadening your knowledge base. Business is not just about having a good idea — it is about learning, adapting, and being willing to put in consistent effort over time. The more you expose yourself to different subjects and experiences now, the better prepared you will be later.

If your school offers it, I would strongly recommend joining DECA. It gives you a chance to practice business skills, build confidence, expand your network, and learn from other people who are interested in similar goals. That kind of experience is valuable because it helps you start thinking like an entrepreneur before you are actually running a business.

In terms of classes, I would look for opportunities to take entrepreneurship, coding, business, and economics if they are available in high school or college. Those subjects can give you both practical and strategic skills, especially if you want to work with technology or sell products online. Also, there are a lot of YouTube videos from entrepreneurs explaining how they started their businesses, and those can be really helpful and interesting for learning from real experiences.

Overall, the best preparation is to stay curious, work hard, and take advantage of every opportunity to learn by doing!
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Sarthak’s Answer

To start your own business, first learn more about your field. Gain practical experience by working in similar businesses to understand how they operate and the challenges they face. Additionally, take courses on market strategy, finances, and basic technology tools to help you manage your business effectively.
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Eric’s Answer

My opinion - please take with a grain of salt:

If you're comfortable, start with selling products online (even if it's very small things or just a few items), doing so will start teaching you sales, pricing, and money management faster than any class can.

Aim to build soft skills. Communication, resilience, adaptability - and definitely empathy in my opinion - matter as much as any technical skill. Learn to pitch an idea clearly and bounce back if something doesn't go your way/you don't get the expected outcome with your pitch.

Take a class to understand margins and basic profit-and-loss in college as early as you can to start upskill yourself, I did this the 1st year of college when I was a business major.

Find a mentor you look up to to start learning from that is perhaps already involved in entrepreneurism/selling products online.
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Ibraheem’s Answer

Hello, focus on developing soft skills, like persuading customers to buy your products both online and in person. Get hands-on experience and explore free courses in areas that interest you. Keep learning, take risks, and ask questions, as these are all vital skills.
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Jingjing’s Answer

If you dream of starting and running your own business someday, now is a great time to start building the skills and habits you'll need. Focus on improving your communication, leadership, problem-solving, creativity, and money management skills. These will help you work well with others, make smart choices, and tackle any challenges that come your way. It's also important to develop good habits like being responsible, organized, disciplined, and open to learning from mistakes. Running a business requires hard work and consistency. You can gain valuable experience by joining clubs, taking business classes, volunteering, working part-time, or even starting a small project. These activities will help you understand how businesses work and set you up for future success.
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Enrique’s Answer

People have shared great advice, and you should consider all those skills. But remember, entrepreneurship doesn't happen overnight. It can take years to reach the break-even point, where your costs match your income. After that, your income should grow while your costs stay the same or even decrease, without lowering the quality of your product or service. Be patient and trust your planning.
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Paola Virginia ’s Answer

Hi there! I believe the most important skills are being organized, knowing how to prioritize, and understanding your market.
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Abdulghani’s Answer

I would focus on communication, time management, and learning how to use AI tools well. Communication matters because if you want to run a business, you need to know how to explain your idea, sell to customers, and build strong relationships. Time management is just as important because starting a business means balancing a lot of priorities and making sure you follow through consistently. I also think AI is a skill worth learning early, because it can help with research, marketing, customer service, and working more efficiently.
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ROCIO SARAI’s Answer

Hi Daniel,

I recommend being organized from the start. If you already have a structure or plan in mind, write down everything you need—such as products, your website, suppliers, and the investment required.

Create a budget and be patient as you work toward your goals. You may have to start from the bottom, and at times it might feel like progress is slow, but if you persevere, maintain good control, and learn about accounting and costs, it will help you achieve your ideal profit.

Best wishes!
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Jessica’s Answer

Communication: Learn how to clearly explain ideas, negotiate, and build relationships with customers, teams, and stakeholders.
Problem-solving: Businesses constantly face challenges. The ability to stay calm and find solutions is critical.
Financial literacy: Understand budgeting, profit margins, cash flow, pricing, and basic business finance.
Leadership: Learn how to influence, motivate, and coordinate people effectively.
Sales and customer mindset: Every business depends on understanding customer needs and creating value.
Adaptability: Markets, technology, and customer expectations change quickly. Flexibility is a huge advantage.
Project and time management: Prioritizing tasks and executing consistently is essential

Habits to Develop
Be proactive and take ownership of problems
Stay organized and follow through on commitments
Continuously learn and improve your skills
Build discipline and consistency, even when motivation is low
Get comfortable with uncertainty and calculated risk-taking
Develop resilience — setbacks are part of entrepreneurship
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Kate’s Answer

The habits worth building now are:

Talk to potential customers every week.
Track income, spending, and margins monthly.
Run small experiments instead of making big assumptions.
Write simple processes for repeat tasks.
Create consistently online to build credibility and distribution.
Review what worked, what failed, and why.
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Ricky’s Answer

Hard work, determination, reputation, and your network

Hard work and determination: Success in business is not easy. There will be ups and downs, but don’t give up. When one door closes – go open another one.

Reputation: Always be honest and truthful. People want to do business with those they trust. Trust takes time to build, but it can be lost very quickly.

Build your network: Your network is critical. Attend events, stay in touch with people, and treat everyone well. Friends today can become clients or helpful resources tomorrow.
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