#YoungEntrepreneur #BusinessMistakes #SocialMediaMarketing #EntrepreneurshipJourney
🚀 How I Messed Up My “Young Entrepreneur” Arc: Learning from my Mistakes 🚀
As a kid, I was always hustling and trying to start new businesses. From selling homemade cookies to my dad’s office friends to experimenting with drop shipping, I was always eager to dive into the world of entrepreneurship. But it wasn’t until I was 14 years old that I hit the jackpot with a clothing brand I launched on TikTok and Instagram.
The Beginning of the Rollercoaster Ride
My journey as a young entrepreneur took an unexpected turn when a TikTok video I posted to promote my clothing brand went viral overnight. I woke up to hundreds of DMs and a significant increase in followers on both TikTok and Instagram. The initial success motivated me to launch the store on New Year’s Day, and it was a hit. I was making a few thousand dollars and decided to expand my reach by sending clothes to some upcoming artists and TV actors.
Riding the Wave of Success
Surprisingly, my strategy of sending free clothing to celebrities worked like a charm. I had a British rapper and a fashion Instagrammer posting about my brand, and my sales were through the roof. I was profiting $30 per sale on average, with multiple daily orders consistently. My Print on Demand business was flourishing, and I was enjoying the fruits of my labor without having spent a dime on anything other than a $1 Shopify trial.
The Turning Point
Just when everything seemed to be going perfectly, I abruptly stopped working on my clothing brand. It wasn’t because of external factors like academics or lack of time; it was my misguided perception of what a “real” startup should be. I was chasing the allure of a glamorous tech company or a cutting-edge AI-powered venture, which led me to neglect the thriving business I had built from scratch.
Lessons Learned
Looking back, I realize that I let the stories of young entrepreneurs and successful business ventures cloud my judgment. I fell into the trap of wanting a “startup” instead of appreciating the success and potential of my existing business. I underestimated the impact of social media marketing and the power of influencer collaborations, leading me to miss out on the opportunity to leverage the growing following of the artist I had initially partnered with.
Moving Forward with Purpose
The moral of my entrepreneurial journey is clear: don’t let societal perceptions dictate the worth of your business. Success is not defined by the labels of “business” or “startup” but by the value and impact your venture creates. Embracing the potential of social media marketing and influencer partnerships can pave the way for sustainable growth and long-term success. As I embark on my next entrepreneurial endeavor, I carry with me the valuable lessons I’ve learned and a renewed focus on seizing opportunities that align with my vision and goals.
In conclusion, my journey as a young entrepreneur was filled with highs and lows, but each experience has contributed to my growth and understanding of the ever-evolving business landscape. I hope my story serves as a source of inspiration and guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs navigating their own path to success. Remember, it’s not about the title, but about the impact you create and the value you deliver. Stay true to your vision and let the results speak for themselves.
Have you tried getting back into it?
Get it back running again. You will learn tons of lessons (good and bad) and you never know where it could take you.
You will learn what you like about the business and business model, what you don’t like, etc. and that will guide you with future opportunities.
Take action on this and see what happens – what do you have to lose?
Thanks for sharing your story! I guess it’s part of finding your own path, and it seems like you’ve learned some valuable lessons. I’m personally thrilled you’re feeling your way through it; we all go through that learning curve. Who knows, maybe your clothing brand was not your true purpose. And in retrospect, it’s easy to think of what could have been. But you’re still way ahead of most people just for having tried and succeeded on your own terms at such a young age. Keep experimenting and trying new things to find what truly motivates you! Who knows what might happen tomorrow? The world is a mysterious place, full of surprises. So continue to stay committed to the exploration and don’t worry – those experiences are priceless!
don’t take this the wrong way, but its mind boggling to me you had essentially a graphic tee POD item go viral to begin with, it sounds more like a humble brag than a genuine request for help. people spend their lives trying to get this level of attention let alone having a “celebrity” **want** to wear it. you’ve definitely squandered a multi-million business opportunity.
that aside, you are sitting on a retirement plan with that existing account and brand if you make the right moves before you hit 20. thinking a sexier start up is going to be a better option is honestly the dumbest thing i’ve heard someone seemingly intelligent say in quite a long time.
if you want to be successful you have to do things you dont like. simple. especially if they are massive opportunities.
Why did you do that. 🙁 Lol
Bro you need money to be an entrepreneur. You had a way to get money. You ride that shit to the end. Put someone else in charge when you can afford to branch to the next thing and still make money from it without doing anything
Also tik tok game is a fleeting thing and the numbers you were making really isnt that much unless you can build from it which you didn’t. You can ride viral success for a bit but it’s just luck. It just sounds like you don’t have experience at all and the minor successes you had before are really nothing special. Most all entrepreneurs have childhood success f’ing around but not all childhood success means you’re an entrepreneur
That said, it sounds like you have the drive and ambition and you’re young so making these mistakes are invaluable. Keep learning and doing and you will be making millions. You didn’t mess up shit, you are just getting started. Best of luck and enjoy your future success
Appreciate you sharing, thank you!
Have you thought about reviving it? Perhaps teasing a comeback on your socials, you will still have some following and might be able to kick start it again?
I’m you if you had stuck with it. Was it central cee that wore it? Feel free to dm, would like to hear more
I did something similar when I was 17 years old where I was running a successful e-commerce women’s jewelry store. I had a couple $1,000+ sales days and averaged over $100 in profit per day and closed the store because I was low key embarrassed to make money as a straight dude selling women’s jewelry.
>When I was 14 years old, I hit a goldmine. 7 days after my birthday I posted a TikTok
I mean, TikTok is five minutes old. What are you now? 15? 16? Drop in the bucket. You’re still a young entrepreneur
Wow
I assumed you had some sassy message or creative image on your shirts, not blanks?! Who spends that much for blank T-shirts?
I think you should make a big splashy comeback.
Central Cee?
Go you! If you’re asking these questions, I think you likely already know your answer. I’m much older than you, but also get those ego-trip moments where I undermine my success- if making money and gaining experience in business is your goal then get back at it!! You’ve gotta to start somewhere and your baseline is an incredible one!
Wow. That’s a great story, and what I like most about it is that you can use that to bring towards the next adventure. You’ve learned a lot.
Is the British rapper you referred to called 21 Savage by chance?
Never too late. I did similar things as a kid but social media didn’t exist until later in life, took a break, tried entrepreneurship again while married (that didn’t go well) and trying again now in my 40s (single this time). Enjoy the process. Learn from your failures and they simply become lessons. You’re not starting from scratch, you’re starting from experience.
It seems you have a knack for social media and marketing. Do you ever take on freelance clients?
Run it back turbo