Opening a small business?

[DrizzyLove]

I'm 17 and I'm thinking that college is a waste of time and money, it will get you in debt, and they teach you unnecessary subjects that don't even have to do with your major. They make you do all this work, which will never be used in your career.

I really wished there were a better path in college, like they actually do hands on material, like suppose I want to be a car engineer, instead of boring lectures, they teach me how to do it.

I want to open up a small business, like a 99 cents store, filled with school materials, groceries material, anything needing for everyday life!

I also want to open up an ice-cream truck, only during summer so I can make money out of that
And also I know how to fix computers, so I can use my skills to fix other peoples computers out of that as well.

Any suggestions or is there any program that can get me started with my plans?

(Screw education, I want to help other people, and make a living out of my life!)
I'm not being close minded, and actually I'm being open minded for thinking this through my head. Everyone is following the system as a slave, and not realizing they're waisting and will be a burden to pay their debts toward college. All I'm trying to say is that I wish education was used properly like to learn on and focused ONLY your career. So as a nation we will be better workers and in fact use time effienctly. If your going to be nurse, why in the world would you write 10 pages essays, learn unnecessary math that will never be used, history in which we will never use as well, and so many other things! If I were to make a school, I would only focus on the points you will seriously use for your job...

[arunan]

Good luck!, start one by one. Don't start all together

[henry]

Go to score.org and find your local SCORE chapter. Call them and arrange for a free meeting with a volunteer SCORE mentor. They will guide you through the process and you can meet with them as many times as you need to.

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide and is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

SCORE has 364 chapters in locations throughout the United States and its territories, with 13,000 volunteers nationwide. Both working and retired executives and business owners donate time and expertise as business mentors.

[mrreliable3599]

Screw education? Go ahead and set lofty goals of remaining uneducted your entire life. You clearly already know everything (at least you think you do). Nobody's gonna tell you nothing, right?

Don't read any further. It might educate you, which is something you're trying to avoid.

The fact is that college is a miserable waste of time and money IN SOME CASES. Auto mechanic? Waste of time and money. Attorney? Impossible without college.

Don't attack formal education just because it might not be the best path for you. Don't go through life thinking you know everything. That will give you nothing but a life of ignorance and frustration over your lack of success.

If you didn't have such a closed mind, you would already know there are many opportunities to take advantage of exactly what you're looking for. What do you think vocational schools are for? What do you think two-year business colleges are for? What do you think certificate programs are for? If you opened your eyes, you'd see lots of things that would help you achieve your goals and be successful.

Your problem is not the lack of resources, your problem is thinking you know everything already. By all means, stay away from those "boring lectures." (By the way, those lectures aren't boring for people who want to learn)

[Steve Burgess]

Well my friend you seems to have varied interest, but it is important for you to complete your graduation first. since it will help you to lay strong foundation towards a great future, also you can continue with area of interest with short term loan which is easily available.

[shipwreck]

If you have the money to start a business and are smart and talented you might do fine uneducated. You also can go to trade schools like machinist if you are smart enough to do that so you could get a job if you want a job.

Learning everything you need to know to run a business without college is possible. I knew someone who bought a auto repair shop and learned the basics about running it from the seller, he was already a mechanic but didn't know business. He is self motivated so took classes when needed and hired professional when needed to teach him.

Learning accounting from a CPA by the hours is more expensive than taking college classes but most will teach you what you need to know.

The things you want to do like the ice cream truck or small store require money to start. If you have money get started but make sure you can afford the losses for the learning curve.

Formal education does teach more than trade school and besides learning things you have more self confidence because you finished. I have a degree in accounting but have known self taught people who always were defensive about not having a degree. Some of the things you learn in school will surprise you later when you know something unexpectedly useful.

[C7S]

I will tell you about how to start a business, but first.....

As an engineering college grad now doing my Masters. EVERY SUBJECT I LEARNED IN SCHOOL is needed in real life work. I feel like my current job is a copy of my junior and senior year and I occasionally use subject material and knowledge from freshman and sophomore classes. I had to use differential equations and integrals to figure out an HVAC and plumbing design to get the proper amount of air/water to all parts of the building.With $50,000+ per year salary, I paid off $30,000 in student loans in 2 years. So now I am done with student loans and I am about to buy a house and a new car. They are actually talking about implementing more Non-Engineering classes in engineering majors since they are important as well.

Student loans are not a burden if you pay it off fast, which is easy to do with a full time professional job, especially if you live with your parents for a year rent-free.

Automotive Engineering is a major offered in some college's in Michigan, Ohio, and California where they teach you about engines, transmissions, suspensions, safety, DOT laws, aerodynamics, electrical systems, and more.

Hands on jobs are typically the jobs you get from studying at 2 year technical schools with certifications. Electrician, Machinist, HVAC Technician, other technician, Mechanic.

Back to Small Business.
You need to write a business plan if you want any funding or backing from an investor or a bank. This is usually 30-200 pages long depending on the size and factors of the business.
You need to get a loan to rent out or purchase a store. You need to contact a brand marketing brand like keymedium.com or brandmavericks to do your website, search optimization in Yahoo and Google, and marketing on social media to get your company name out there.
You need to apply for an EIN number to make the business official. EIN comes from the IRS so you pay taxes on the money your business makes.
This is just the start. There is so much more to do. I suggest studying Entrepreneurship in college. It is a college major that teaches you how to start a successful business. This is not an easy thing to do.

Good Luck.

[kemperk]

do computer repair. prove what you can do
I have ideas if you are truly good! I mean GOOD good

[the genius]

Whether starting a business or going to college, you're still going to have massive costs either way.

Community college is hands-on and so is an apprenticeship. Business is also good. To get a business started, make a good plan to a clear path. Search for youth business programs by your local government. Do the work and search buddy.

[Kevin]

If you're going to start a business, sit down with a city business planner. They are usually free just to hear them out. There are franchises available, unless you can find your own products to list and sell.

What you can do to begin, is find items that are overstocked and start selling on weekends at the local flea markets. You can usually rent a spot for around $5 - $45 depending on local. Just make sure you plan it out and get products you know people in your area are interested in.

As many know, education makes you specialized in one area or another. As an entrepreneur, I would say you should focus on getting yourself situated in a retail business of your choice. Make sure that if you are going to be successful you put in the work and research needed to get yourself to where you need to be. If you're going to start small don't take out a huge loan, or if you can work and use the money you earn as purchasing and operating costs to begin, you can and should be able to fund your own startup.

If you think you can qualify, or a parent is willing to work with you and get you qualified, seeing that you're 17 http://www.ifundbiz.com/1885 - offers good SBA loans to get your business started. If you are going the route of loans be sure you plan to take enough to include operating costs and marketing cost for the entire first year. Friends, family can be your best source of primary Word-of-mouth advertising to begin.

Need some free advice, feel free to get in touch.