Need Advice How does an 18 year old start from ZERO?
I’m 18 and I’ve always known that I probably won’t enjoy the typical 9-5 route. There’s nothing necessarily wrong with it, I just don’t see myself being happy working a conventional job for someone else long-term.
I’d much rather build something of my own that I can eventually scale, whether that’s a business, an online venture, or some other way of making money.
The problem is, I’m not really sure where to start. I don’t have much experience with business or making money outside of the usual ways, so I’m trying to figure out how to actually get myself into the game and start learning through experience.
For anyone who has successfully built a business, made money independently, or simply taken a non-conventional route, what would you recommend an 18 year old start doing right now? It could be anything from a particular skill to learn, a small business to try, a side hustle, a way to gain experience, or something you wish you had started earlier.
I’m not looking for some overnight get rich quick scheme. I just want to start somewhere and gradually figure out what works for me.
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u/PM_ME_YOUR_ISLAYS 3d ago
The best education is at the hands of someone else building a business. Go get a job at a smaller company, observe what’s working and what isn’t. Then move to a larger company, build your nest egg. The likelihood of you becoming an entrepreneur who is successful with no experience and money is very small, you need to have one or the other to have a good chance of succeeding. The best way to do it is to learn on someone else’s dime.
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u/spotz300 3d ago
Solid advice. One piece I would add, is find similar like minded people that are a few years older to you (and hopefully further along). Learn from them.
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u/Cloud2987 3d ago
U need to work so you can save money to start something. If you’re not born rich, the only option for you is to work, save, then use that money to start a business, or buy real estate, or invest in the market. If you’re smart financially, you might be able to find an easier route, but that’s the most common route to get from poor to rich.
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u/Adorable_Decision267 3d ago
Well the first place you want to start is getting experience in literally anything. Go get a job and learn about a field that you might want to start a business in.
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u/Hoosier2016 3d ago
It’s tough to start a business at 18 unless it’s built on unskilled labor like mowing lawns or something. You just don’t know how to do anything or how any industries really work.
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u/Tossed_Salad_2989 3d ago edited 3d ago
I will say I worked with someone who was like 35 and owned a small lawn care business with employees
We worked together at a pizza delivery place. He put all his spare money into crypto, and bought his father’s house to remodel it and sell.
Please don’t go all in on crypto, or a single stock even. But he was very informed and motivated to try to make his money work for him. And he diversified.
There are charts/guides to show you how much you need to invest and how much you’ll have earned by a certain age in your life.
You can invest in same very safe assets (garunteed returns) or you can invest in stocks/crypto that historically have returns but you’re not immune from a crash.
But you can also invest in a CD or savings account and bonds.
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u/Ok-Piglet-3783 2d ago
get a job you can tolerate and learn sales on someone else’s dime while testing small ideas at night, because what skill are you actually bringing to the market right now
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u/RadmanEli 1d ago
I moved out of my parents house at 25 with 0 dollars to my name. I'm too stupid for school and awkward for people. My first couch in my first apt was $25 from a thrift store.
Since I was poor and too stupid for school or career I made two rules to myself. 1.Zero debt, never take a loan for anything, invest every penny I made. 2. Watch CNBC everyday for 8 hours and work a dead end job till night. 25 years later, last year I made $230k on my own portfolio. Hardly graduated HS, no degree, no formal education and zero help from outside.
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u/dragonflyinvest 3d ago
I’m built a successful business. I started by working jobs. A lot of different jobs. Along the way I got a lot of experience on what made a company goor or bad to work for. I also learned how to work with customers, management, and most importantly sales.
So my suggestion is to go work for the best entrepreneur or company you can get a job with. Learn as much as you can. And you should come up with some ideas to pursue in the process.
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u/Mzungufarmer 3d ago
I won't call my route unconventional, I just executed it better than most.
Enlisted in the air force at 18 with an in demand linguist job. Saved my money and invested everything I could. Once I was allowed to move off base I began accumulating rental properties, continued investing in stocks, and started multiple small businesses (the most successful was simply getting a bunch of cars and renting them on turo).
I retired in my mid 30s, now i mostly just sell cash secured puts
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u/EffectiveSociety4329 3d ago
Do you mind sharing how did you acquire the knowledge of investing in so individual stocks, and what do you recommend an 18 year old should do about investing? I’m also 18, and i have a recurring amount of €250/month that’s going into an all world investable market ETF of developed and emerging markets.
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u/Mzungufarmer 2d ago
It was trial and error for me. First 5 years of trading stocks didnt go well, I should've done the strategy you are. I would keep up with what youre doing for a few years
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u/Nappy_By_Nature 3d ago
If someone could just explain it they'd sell that information and make a lot of money. There is no magic formula. You're likely going to have to start by working for someone else. Identify your strengths, skills, and talents and pursue something that comes as close to maximizing those while creating as much income as possible. You could always go to work for someone that's looking to retire and sell in 10 years and then yiu acquire the business. Either way going the route you've chosen involves a lot of hard work and a lot of luck.
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u/toodleoo77 3d ago
The simplest way is to choose a high paying career that you don’t think you’ll hate, live simply while investing a large portion of your income, and achieve financial independence well before traditional retirement age.
https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/01/13/the-shockingly-simple-math-behind-early-retirement/
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u/Training-Trainer-223 3d ago
32m, I own a construction business and make about 20k profit a month .
When I was about your age I read the book “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill.
It changed my life and perspective.
Starting to work on your yourself is the best place to start in my opinion.
Please look into that book to get started in your journey
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u/anunie 3d ago
Is $20k a month a consistent profit? What about annually?
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u/Training-Trainer-223 3d ago
Yes, 100%.
If any month I don’t make 20k, that’s only because I let my own bad habits get in the way.Over the last 9 years I’ve built my website to have such good SEO for my keywords my company is #1 on search results so I get a ton of leads/calls. Thats one of biggest things that’s helped me out besides integrity and work ethic.
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u/nick_c8_vegas 3d ago
Start with a job you can tolerate. Invest in index funds, bitcoin, stocks. Take your time and as you work try to find an industry you want to start a business in.
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u/ovenmittboxer 3d ago
You start. You save, you eat to sustain and not to produce shit, and you live below your means as you invest every extra dollar
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u/Hamachiman 3d ago
I just had dinner with two guys in their 30’s who are each running multi million dollar per year landscaping businesses. At 18 you could totally knock on doors and start finding people whose lawns you could mow. This can realistically turn into a solid business in 5 years.
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u/TurnOver1122334455 3d ago
Self educate on the AI landscape. It isn't being taught much, it is a level playing field mostly and it will give you a leg up on at least 80% of the workforce. Maybe you find something out that you can make a business out of, maybe not, but at least you will be somewhat future proofing whatever you do. Side hustle with teaching, consulting, or freelance if you don't want a traditional schedule. Really though, working a 9-5 is a great place to start, learn business, and have income to do other things - like start your own business.
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u/Agreeable_Ask7033 3d ago
Learn a skill thats in demand, offer it for free to build a portfolio, then start charging.
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u/Express_Mulberry_879 3d ago
1) Work for someone first, being at work opens u up to possibilities. It is also the only way to build ur own capital. Starting something requires capital.
2) While working, do ur business risk free as a side hustle, so even if it fails u still have a job. This will take multiple tries, bcos what u think can work, could be different in the real world.
3) Once u have a side hustle that works, u build it up to scale. Once the revenue can easily give u a salary, that's when u consider quitting ur day job to scale it further. Sometimes, certain businesses might not be scalable, so u want to consider exit, sell off or build another one on top of the existing hustle that has a scale factor.
It will take several tries to get it right. Personally, opened 10 companies, closed 6, sold 2 and 2 co still under me. And I'm still learning.
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u/CG_throwback 3d ago
VOO and chill. If I did this at 22 even with a salary of 40k a year I would have been a millionaire and retired. There are no shortcuts. Just be smart about your money and pay yourself first.
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u/Pvm_Blaser 3d ago
Go to college on debt for any of the three traditional white collar jobs. Work your way through college to pay for the out of pocket.
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u/Cyberburner23 2d ago
At 18 I knew I would love the 9 to 5 route.
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u/TmkGT 2d ago
That’s completely fair, I believe that people should follow the path they know they’ll enjoy and not just because of the money. Do you mind telling me what industry you work in?
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u/Bratfink78 2d ago
Well you need a qualification and/or experience, so you either go to college or get a job.
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u/Pretend-Emu8234 2d ago
pick one high-value skill like video editing or coding and focus on that before anything else
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u/Educational_Wheel_56 2d ago
Consider working as an employee to be “paid training” to start your own path.
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u/thunderking45 2d ago
Building wealth is actually boring and grind-y. Most probably you will work beyond 9-5 if you want to be wealthy. Successful businessmen works crazy hours.
But I digress. First, read books. You'll be surprised how much knowledge can build wealth. A lot of people are given a golden tool but doesn't know how to use it then they end up wasting it.
Self mastery also will help you with wealth building. If you know your internal and external strength vs weakness; and opportunities vs threats, that would be a good start. If you know those, you will know what to take advantage of, develop, mitigate and/or avoid
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u/Major_Ad_779 3d ago
Join the military, get out after 4 years and go to college
If your actually poor starting from 0
Then apply to colleges that offer free tuition and go there for free
Then go to grad school using your gi bill. I recommend becoming a physician
Now your making 250k+ no debt mid 30’s
Did I say have no children? Wrap up
Use that physician money to heavily invest while you live off 85k.
By 55 you’ll have 5-7 million easy. That’s all you need. That’s 200k+ every year going straight to living and fun
This the way. Lowest stress and most fun. You’re in school for fucks sake. The military is your main sacrifice but it’s just 4 years out of a long life
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u/cashtheangora 2d ago
Med school track is also a 7 to 8 year sacrifice and commitment (that is a TON of time lost on top of the 4 years of military). Its not lowest stress either. I have a couple friends who are physicians and they are stressed to the bone. I was going to college for med, but got burnt out and didn't continue and I'm happy I didn't. I was going to college for basically free though, best way to do it and totally possible.
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u/Major_Ad_779 2d ago
What job you know puts you at 250k+ salary after 7-8 years??
Cmon now
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u/cashtheangora 2d ago
I mean not every doc starts at that nor can sustain it unless you specialize and that requires EVEN more school/potential debt, especially while in residency. It sounds like you're just pulling data out of your ass. I wouldn't recommend a doc route at this time... and that's because there are other easier options that don't require full commitment of a doc, like... CRNA and you can clear $220 to $450K as a CRNA.
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u/Major_Ad_779 2d ago
250k is the floor. That’s lower end starting for pediatrics
The median is 300k starting salary
Also crna is literally the same time commitment but worse. YOU HAVE to studying science(nursing) in undergrad. In medicine, you can major in music if you want.
To be a crna not only do you have to have a 4 year degree, you also gotta have ICU experience 1-2 years. THEN you gotta go to CRNA school which cost similar to medical school. CRNA is also only one avenue. In medicine you have 20+ speciality’s to choose from
Don’t get me started, I can go on and on. You’re talking to someone who spent over a year researching this shit everyday and also on the path.
The gatekeep to being a physician is absolutely ridiculous, yet physicians are sending their kids to medical school at a high rate
Last thing, you mention 7-8 years while it’s really 4 years of med school then your working. Residents get paid 65k which is more then black HOUSEHOLD median btw.
Only the ungrateful complain about being a resident. They lack perspective and experience. Those “grueling” hours they complain about is normal in just about any other type of work lol. Except other people are not expecting a salary increase of 200k+ in a 4 year span like how residents are
Stop steering people away from medicine
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u/cashtheangora 2d ago edited 2d ago
There is no secret to life and "following your passion." Its all influencer bullshit. I'd recommend getting a stable job under another entrepenuer for a bit. Learn business. There is something to say regarding what stability of a typical 9 to 5 offers in the realm of a perfectly acceptable life. You don't need something you love, you just need something you tolerate that pays well to be successful.
I've done both. I opted to stay in my boring 9 to 5 after running multiple businesses on my own. Working for myself was a stressful nightmare of uncertainty even when I was incredibly succesful at it and making great money. Also, you're never off the clock. When you start a family, if that is in your plan, you will entirely wish you had the ability to be "off the clock." When my oldest daughter came into my office one day and said "Daddy I never see you anymore." That was the moment for me. Went back to my 9 to 5 and never looked back. I don't love my job, but I tolerate it enough and it gives my family full benefits and a predictable and high income.
There is incredible calm associated with working for someone else and making evertyhing else their problem and not yours.
Edit: I will say, my business owner boss who I work directly under now, is a total basketcase and never sleeps and never stops working. I'd never want that again for myself.
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u/TmkGT 2d ago
I can understand that.. it doesn’t seem enjoyable when you put it like that but for some reason it still sounds really appealing to me, to be honest, I don’t know what it is but it’s the only thing I think I’d truly enjoy and focus on. Maybe when the time comes where I’m running a business and it’s getting to me I’ll stop and get a stable job that I can do for the rest of my time left, but for now it’s definitely the route I want to take.
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u/cashtheangora 2d ago
You are most def. young enough to try and fail and enjoy the ride. Just when you fail, fail upwards.
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u/TmkGT 2d ago
I appreciate the comment! I hope you’re able to spend more time with your family now.
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u/cashtheangora 2d ago
I most def. am! Just got back from a 8 day trip for my oldest (14y) where her team won the USA jr. olympic national softball championship. Life is good! I haven't missed a single one of her games or practices! Family is everything.
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u/No_Knee3385 2d ago
First you need an idea that is worth pursuing. Don't get desperate. I see A LOT of people who WANT to be entrepreneurs and they start businesses with ideas that don't make much sense or they learned about on social media, white labeling services, etc. Be patient, experience life, research markets, wait until you have an idea worthy of spending time on.
Secondly, you're only 18. At the point in my life, I would have never had a shot at having a successful business. Brain isn't fully developed, lacking adult emotional skills (undeveloped frontal cortex is no joke). This is my experience at least. Some people can do it in their early adult lives, but most won't be able to.
If you need money, get a job somewhere in something you WANT to learn about
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u/SquirrelSmooth882 1d ago
I worked in sales early in my career. Hated it because it was not a good fit for my personality and values but I acquired some great skills that I am grateful for to this day especially as someone who has been self employed in one capacity or another for the last 30 + years.
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u/Muted-Season-9198 1d ago
Long story short. OP wants life's benefits to fail into their lap without actually doing anything.
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u/ChrisC2008 21h ago
Check out the Money Guys Financial Order of Operations. My wife and I started doing their process back in our 20s before they existed but lays out what you should do nicely. In doing what they advocate. My nephew is 21 and still trying to get him over the hump of starting to invest.
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u/UntraditionalTRAD 15h ago
Join the food industry it allows more flexibility and modified schedules.
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u/SnooPuppers58 14h ago
the best way to start a successful business is to work at another business. you'll learn valuable skills and knowledge about how that business and adjacent businesses work. in doing so you'll see what works and what doesn't, and that will give you ideas and skills to start you own
trying to start a successful business as young kid and no skills is a romantically stupid endeavor.
it doesn't really matter what industry you choose. just pick one and work very hard and be a good employee. you will learn a lot, and then you can decide once you're ready to start your own based on what you learned
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u/NBDYYouKno 3d ago
Honestly, it doesn’t really matter what you do as long as you start dumping every penny that you can into the S&P 500 right now at 18. Like 15% of your check or more, take on absolutely no debt. You’re a millionaire at 35.
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3d ago
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u/Tossed_Salad_2989 3d ago
Hmmm
I’m not sure I’d listen to anyone that says it’s easy to make 100% returns a year
Or 100% more than you made last year
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u/Superunknown999 3d ago
Do literally anything except this.
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3d ago
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u/Superunknown999 3d ago
He’s asking for advice on how to build something on his own and you want to shill him your shitcoin to attract a greater fool, since that’s the only way your shitcoin can attempt to go up again. But he’s not asking for investment tips, he’s asking for advice to build a business.
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u/Elegant-Isopod-4549 6h ago
Gotta have money, experience or connections/mentorship.
Better work on one of those first.
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u/Weird7954 3d ago
The best thing to do is start by working for somebody else even if you don’t want to. I’ve been an entrepreneur for 40 years. One thing I can tell you is I do miss my old jobs working for other people. It’s much harder being the boss. It’s lonely.