I'd like to start this thread out by introducing myself. I am 18 years old, fresh out of high school and only about done with my first semester of college. My name is Dave, and I'm sick of college already. I check these forums daily and continuously read about all of your great success, everyone's homes and cars...specifically exotics.. I know very well that none of this comes without hard work. What I'm getting at is, I really do not want to go to college. I want to start my own business, with a few friends...but I'm not exactly sure how to go about this. As an 18 year old with barely any funds, a minimum-wage job and still living at home, do you think it would be smart to just go the college route and then maybe start a business after? I want to work for myself, but right now it seems this is not an option. Are there any entrepreneurs on these forums that started out at the young age of 18? or maybe younger? The point of this post is basically frustration. I need wisdom from someone, someone who has been there and experienced it and can tell me what I should do. Right now I have absolutely no direction. Note, also, that my parents are paying in-full my college education, should I decide to continue with it. Lucky me, I do appreciate this but I am not sure if it is really what I want.

Any help, advice, "your an idiot" or anything of that nature is welcome.

I'll take any direction I can get right now

-Dave

Dave - STAY IN COLLEGE THEN ASK THIS SAME QUESTION AFTER YOU GRADUATE -YOU'LL HAVE MANY MORE OPTIONS. UNLESS YOU HAVE SOMETHING SPECIFIC, AND IT'S YOUR DREAM, STAY IN COLLEGE AND MAYBE IT WILL COME TO YOU.... WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE? GETTING ANSWERS FROM THIS SITE WILL ONLY DO YOU WRONG. IF YOU WERE A LAMBORGHINI, I'D SAY YES, THIS IS YOUR PLACE. WE HAVE LOT'S OF ADVICE GOOD AND BAD. BESIDES, THE COLLEGE GIRLS SHOULD BE A BIG INCENTIVE!!! SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN...BE PATIENT!!!

Excellent advice for the young man, given by (IMO) a mature and experienced indivdual.

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Lambotsavy
Jalpa #ELA12100

I'm 22 and in college, and after that, med school, residency... Christ knows when the hell I'll get out. I am staying in school because I KNOW that I cannot do anything else. I know school is BS and all you get out of it is a piece of paper. That paper, even though it may not mean didley to you or I, means a TON to everyone else, so it is probably for the best if you suck it up and get through it, 3 more years and you'll be DONE.

That said, if you TRULY hate school, and IF you have the verve, drive, intensity and determination and intelligence to make your own way, drop out, work your ass off for a year, save EVERY PENNY, then open a pizza shop. After that, be prepared to work 12 hours a day 7 days a week for the next 10 or so years, also saving every penny. If you invest at all invest your money in real estate.

This is assuming you do not have a specific idea or vision. If you do have some business idea (a store, a product, whatever), make sure you ask yourself if it can actually be done with little to no money, and that it will sustain itself if it gets off the ground.

Hope this helps, pal.

I do not think you can go wrong with SI's advice.

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If one's going to live, live well.


*Looking Forward to my first Lamborghini, whenever I shall have her!*

"Where there is a will, there is a way."

Deep down, if you TRUELY want something - you will do it. The road isn't paved, it isn't straight, and it can be a bumpy ride. But if you keep trying & never give up, things will work out.

You have to take huge risks, not just any risks, they have to be educated risks & chances. I can almost say that 9/10 people you know including family will try to turn down your ideas or reject them. This is because they have governed themselves to LESS.

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Dream to Achieve.

hey dave were are you located. have you ever taken a business course. i would recommend getting a advanced apprenticeship in business if your low on money. you might find more answers on this forum http://www.thefastlanetomillions.com/

You know, a Bachelor's degree is not what it used to be. It does not guarantee you a job nowadays as it might have when our parents were in their 20's. I went ahead and got my MBA before anyone would take a very serious look at me. For a while, even until last year (I'm 28 now) I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Honestly, I considered being a cop after I got my Master's, and I told myself that even though I was not utilizing my degree in a professional manner, that the lessons I learned through my coursework were well worth it in personal matters such as with my investments, etc. Now, I have a pretty good job, and I am able to stack away some money for, drumroll please, starting my own business. I am starting this thing from scratch, and the money I am currently saving/investing will carry me through years if the business flounders, etc. I have several family members that have owned / started their own businesses. Some worked out, some did not. The common denominator in all of these instances was that they all worked their hind ends off for YEARS before they made any real money at it, let alone enough to enjoy the finer things in life. Let me suffice by saying, yes, you may hate school, I did too, but, in case your business fails (and probability theory says that it will, not to burst your bubble) you NEED something to fall back on, my good man. PLUS IF YOUR PARENTS ARE PAYING FOR IT, GOOD GOD MAN, STAY IN SCHOOL!!!!! Drink some beer, get some girls, but don't F up.

Thanks for all the replies, I sincerely appreciate everyone's opinions. I had a long talk with my Dad last night on the phone (My parents are divorced since I was about...8 years old? He lives in New York), and I decided as long as they are funding my college education, then I'm going to keep going with it. I'll see where it takes me. I'm thinking about taking some Law Courses...anyone have opinions on that?

am i alone in this??

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Sorry, I know I probably should have searched first, but I wanted a more personal answer for my situation.