One of the most common questions I get from aspiring business owners is this: “What’s the biggest piece of advice you’d give to a young entrepreneur?”
I always pause before answering—not because I don’t know what to say, but because I remember what it felt like to be in their shoes. I was 18 when I started my first business. I had ambition, a vision, and the willingness to work harder than most. But what I didn’t have was a clear understanding of what the journey would really require—not just from me, but from those watching me.
When you start a business at a young age, there’s a unique kind of pressure that creeps in. It doesn’t always come from within—it often comes from the outside. Friends, family, and even casual acquaintances start watching you differently. They admire your boldness, your drive, your “entrepreneurial spirit.” And then, sometimes without realizing it, they begin expecting results—fast.
They want to see signs of success: the nice car, the upgraded lifestyle, the luxurious vacation. They think if you’ve got a business, then you must be making money. And if you’re making money, then they assume it should look like it.
That perception can quickly become a trap.
It’s true—some of those external perks may eventually come. And for me, some have. But it didn’t happen overnight. It didn’t happen in a year. And it definitely didn’t happen without countless sacrifices, tough lessons, long days, sleepless nights, and a relentless commitment to growth.
What most people don’t see are the years of grinding behind the scenes. They don’t see the detailed planning, the anxiety over payroll, the constant decision-making, the self-doubt, or the fear of failure. They don’t see the lonely moments of building something from the ground up while everyone else seems to be living carefree.
One of the biggest mistakes young entrepreneurs make is measuring their progress by other people’s timelines—or worse, their expectations. Trying to “prove” you’re successful can distract you from actually becoming successful.
Instead of staying rooted in the process, you start rushing. You make decisions to impress, not to sustain. You chase validation instead of mastery. And before you know it, you’re operating from a place of pressure, not purpose.
My Advice to Young Entrepreneurs
If I could give just one piece of advice to young people starting a business, it would be this:
Don’t let the world’s idea of success distract you from your actual work.
Forget about the car. Forget about the clout. Forget about how it looks to others. Your focus should be on:
True success comes from long-term attention to detail and the ability to stay the course when others would quit. It’s not flashy. It’s not Instagram-worthy. But it’s real. And it’s worth it.
Don’t fall for the trap. Don’t rush the process. And don’t let someone else’s expectation become your burden.
Your job isn’t to look successful. Your job is to be successful. And that takes time.
Stay strong. Stay focused. Stay in business
