5 answers
Tiana
Student
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
7
Questions
Updated
1082 views
How to earn but also learn ?
I'm an IBDP student not the brightest of the bunch for reference I got a 26/42 in semester 2 currently in my summer break .Since I will be applying next year mainly abroad (USA,Spain) and want to pursue in Business / Entrepreneurship I want to create somewhat like a passion project that I can later expand in the future . But I have to start from zero with limited finance , no help and limited time to boost my grades but I am ready to give a good amount of my time into a project I can earn from to fund my college fees. I have tried different things like creating a website for people to chat through and failed also made a blog that also crashed and very demotivated since after posting online for more than a year to market these projects I have no users and limited followers .I just need advice and guidance from an experienced person to motivate and guide me to get into a good uni as well as help me path my future with a project with a good earning.
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5 answers
Dhruv Patel
Senior Analyst, Paid Social
2
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Dhruv’s Answer
It would be great to know more about the business segments you are interested in. That way, I could give you a more focused answer. If you are unsure, starting with direct-to-consumer direction can offer more flexibility. Try focusing on things that will help with your go to market strategy later on. In fact you were actually on the right track with blogs, you were putting efforts on something that can build audience. However blogs are a bit tricky especially after the access to AI for content, the dynamics have changed. You can look into content creation on social media.
Also, the best approach is usually to balance doing things and improving them. This means, you should spend time on actually doing things and the delivery but also spend time on learning iterating and improving what you have been doing. External guidance, resources, researching inside platforms to notice things, these are all great options.
Regarding universities, I don't have much information about Spain, but I can definitely share insights about U.S. universities.
Also, the best approach is usually to balance doing things and improving them. This means, you should spend time on actually doing things and the delivery but also spend time on learning iterating and improving what you have been doing. External guidance, resources, researching inside platforms to notice things, these are all great options.
Regarding universities, I don't have much information about Spain, but I can definitely share insights about U.S. universities.
Kumar Rishav
Engineer
49
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Kumar’s Answer
Focus on addressing simple, local issues rather than creating complicated platforms from the ground up. Your earlier projects didn't have enough market approval. Approach entrepreneurship like today's product development: find a clear problem in your school or community, such as a local service or tutoring match, and tackle it using free, no-code tools.
Create a basic version of your solution quickly to see if there's interest before spending a lot of time. Leading business schools appreciate this smart, data-focused approach and your ability to learn from mistakes more than an unused website. Meet a genuine need, and the money will come.
Create a basic version of your solution quickly to see if there's interest before spending a lot of time. Leading business schools appreciate this smart, data-focused approach and your ability to learn from mistakes more than an unused website. Meet a genuine need, and the money will come.
ANTHONY SYLVESTER
School counselor
24
Answers
Onitsha, Anambra, Nigeria
Updated
ANTHONY’s Answer
First, don't let your current grades or past project failures convince you that you're not capable. The fact that you've already tried building a website and a blog shows initiative, and that's a quality many successful entrepreneurs started with.
My advice is to focus on two priorities: improving your IB grades and building one simple, realistic business project. Instead of trying to create the next big startup, solve a real problem for real people. You could offer digital services, tutor, help small businesses online, or create a simple digital product. The goal is to gain skills, earn some income, and build experience not become successful overnight.
Also, don't see your previous projects as failures. They taught you one of the biggest lessons in business: building a product is only half the job; finding customers is the other half.
Stay consistent, keep learning, and measure success by your progress, not by immediate results. Universities value resilience, initiative, and growth just as much as achievements. Keep going you're building the foundation for your future.
My advice is to focus on two priorities: improving your IB grades and building one simple, realistic business project. Instead of trying to create the next big startup, solve a real problem for real people. You could offer digital services, tutor, help small businesses online, or create a simple digital product. The goal is to gain skills, earn some income, and build experience not become successful overnight.
Also, don't see your previous projects as failures. They taught you one of the biggest lessons in business: building a product is only half the job; finding customers is the other half.
Stay consistent, keep learning, and measure success by your progress, not by immediate results. Universities value resilience, initiative, and growth just as much as achievements. Keep going you're building the foundation for your future.
Joanna Fraszczak
Account Operations Manager / TL
5
Answers
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Updated
Joanna’s Answer
Hi Tiana.
Let me start by telling you something important: just because you’ve tried a few things and they didn’t work out doesn’t mean you’ve failed. That’s exactly what people who eventually succeed do. Most people don’t even try. You’re already one step ahead. I don't think the problem is that you're “not the brightest.” The issue is that: you're creating things for which there's no real demand, and you're counting on them to go viral instead of systematically acquiring users, and you're also working alone, without any feedback. Instead of launching yet another startup, do something that solves a specific, small problem and brings in your first income. This could be a business based on micro-services, such as creating simple websites for local businesses (e.g., restaurants, personal trainers), managing social media profiles for small businesses, or helping high school and college students (notes, translations, summaries). You could also pursue something that looks good on your resume:
A mini-brand (e.g., an online store), a business newsletter for young people, an educational channel on TikTok/YouTube.
These are just a few ideas that might prove helpful.
Good luck!
Best regards,
Joanna
Let me start by telling you something important: just because you’ve tried a few things and they didn’t work out doesn’t mean you’ve failed. That’s exactly what people who eventually succeed do. Most people don’t even try. You’re already one step ahead. I don't think the problem is that you're “not the brightest.” The issue is that: you're creating things for which there's no real demand, and you're counting on them to go viral instead of systematically acquiring users, and you're also working alone, without any feedback. Instead of launching yet another startup, do something that solves a specific, small problem and brings in your first income. This could be a business based on micro-services, such as creating simple websites for local businesses (e.g., restaurants, personal trainers), managing social media profiles for small businesses, or helping high school and college students (notes, translations, summaries). You could also pursue something that looks good on your resume:
A mini-brand (e.g., an online store), a business newsletter for young people, an educational channel on TikTok/YouTube.
These are just a few ideas that might prove helpful.
Good luck!
Best regards,
Joanna
Morgan Woods, MBA
Procurement Manager
1
Answer
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Morgan’s Answer
You have a few different points in your question. First of all entrepreneurship is more about persistence and perseverance. Many first businesses fail and emotionally you need to be prepared to be okay with that and learn from each failure. In corporate business, they usually go through a stage called "discovery" where they take time to interview their target audience, ask them questions about their wants and needs to build their product or service. Then they move into Alpha and Beta tests where they gather groups of their audience to test their product or service to decide whether their product is good yet. Those testers give feedback that you can use to make it better. Also, if you have little finances for your projects and you need software, search for "open source" software. That means its free and available for use. There are even many free options for data analytics of websites and applications you may need for your business. Take advantage of these resources.
As for your grades, I personally had low grades and found myself in university where I had started 2 successful businesses and worked into corporate leadership. What set me apart when applying for uni was volunteering, good references, and a story (the uni application essay).
Don't get lost in your passion and ignore school. Allot time for each.
Make a list of questions for your target audience and talk to those people
Look up free software that can help you.
As for your grades, I personally had low grades and found myself in university where I had started 2 successful businesses and worked into corporate leadership. What set me apart when applying for uni was volunteering, good references, and a story (the uni application essay).
Morgan recommends the following next steps:
Thank you!
Tiana