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How do I start a business as a 17 year old who graduated a year early from high school?

I'm 17 graduated f on a military academy in Michigan called the MYCA with honors and I he rank of squad leader while there I learned a lot of leadership and management skills as well as many life skills. I figure I can implement them into my fashion design hobby and turn it into a business but I dk how to start it up.

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Naomi’s Answer

Owning your own business is a thrilling journey, and your leadership, management, and life skills will be your guiding stars. It demands a great deal of initiative and drive, but remember, you have what it takes!

Start by defining your vision - what fashion & design product or service do you want to offer, and who is your ideal customer? Once you have that, delve into the digital world. Learn how to leverage social media platforms to showcase your unique content. There's a wealth of online resources and courses that can equip you with the skills to enhance your online presence. Don't hesitate to invest in knowledge that can bolster your business.

Look for and connect with individuals who are already thriving in the business you aspire to create. Reach out to them, ask questions, or simply start a conversation about shared interests. This networking can provide invaluable insights and support.

Consider setting up your own online "store" on platforms like Squarespace. Here, you can sell your product or service and receive legitimate payments. You can also establish an LLC through your state's website to officially kickstart your business journey.

Take time to articulate your services. Determine what you will offer, and what you won't. Set expectations for response times to orders or customer inquiries. And most importantly, enjoy the process of creation!

Plan your content schedule to know what and when to post on social media, and when to run promotions, like a 5% discount on services for a week. Understand the worth of your product or service, and never forget that the world is waiting for your unique creativity!
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Mary Ann’s Answer

Find a problem that needs to fixed, that you want to fix, and let that be your starting point. I remember when I was interviewing internship candidates to work with my company for the summer. One of the people I interviewed was telling me about a technology solution he designed to enable parents to electronically complete and submit permission slips for field trips. This same solution also identified where permission slips had not been turned in. Once he designed this and got the school to start using this, field trips left on time and people had a lot less stress.

He told me that he decided to create this technology solution because he and a bunch of other high school kids were sitting on the bus waiting to leave for a ski trip. The faculty was trying to figure out if they had permission slips for all the kids on the bus. This process took about 2 hours and that meant the kids lost time on the ski slopes. This experience cased the student to think, "there's got to be a better way". So, he created a better way.

So for you, as you look to start your business, figure out what the product is that will be the center of your business and what problem your business will solve. Knowing those two things will help you to figure out "how" to start that business.
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Katherine’s Answer

Two good resources for knowing what steps to take to start a business are Dave Ramsey's book EntreLeadership and this workbook (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/ldsorg/topics/self-reliance/2017/14678_sgmb_book_eng.pdf?lang=eng).
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