Experienced any Ageism?

[Ian]

Have any Entrepreneur's my age been not taken seriously just because of their age? I'm quite sick of it myself, I mean believe it or not not all teenagers are wasters. :P

But seriously, have you had it? and how would you have people take you seriously?

Ian

[versas]

And you are how old?

What do you expect though?

If your a teenager, you lack many things including maturity, legal age and most importantly experience.

Not all teenagers are "wasters", however the people your doing business with have no idea who really are.

They see young brats.

This is business, not recess.

Sometimes you have to just take it and deal with it.

So often it takes extreme examples to understand...

Would you rather vote for a 17 year old president or a 37 year old president?

Would you rather a 16 year old handle you taxes or a 26 yea old?

Would you hire a 15 year old as a manager or a 25 year old manager?

Would you really do big business or hand over money to a kid who can't even buy smokes or alcohol?

It's just hard for serious business people to do business with people who are still in puberty or where the business is all under their parents name.

You shouldn't complain or bitch, you chose to do business at such an age and should be mature enough to expect and deal with the consequences.

[silversurfer]

I think Versas post is an expression of ageism. yuk yuk yuk.

In all seriousness, I knew many people who ran successful companies by 17 and I ran one by 19. However by successful, we were making something like $20k per year which is less than a full time minimum wage job, but what the heck, I was in college. The reality is that many teenagers get respect in teenagery industries such as lawn care, pet care, car care, etc.

If you've proven yourself as an entrepreneur then you have.

I think also that I chased some really bad MLM and other get rich quick ideas in my teens and they were universally junk. I read testimonial advertising and believed it even though there was no proof. I made plenty of mistakes.

So who, besides Versas, is giving you a hard time and why?

[Ian]

Well nobody specific, I just thought this would be an interesting topic to discuss, Versas's post was hardly necessary or warranted in my opinion.

And i'm 19, as it clearly states on my profile.

Ian

[akula]

I pretty much hate young people (and I mean it in a good way), but it's not because they can't buy smokes or hit up strip joints...although, that plays a role also.

Young people (and I speak to a lot of young people) don't understand anything and they're annoying. Their ambition is directed to making them selves sucessful. This makes them difficult to communicate with.

For this reason, it's hard to work with young people...and this doesn't include all the other usual teenager related bullshit. Look....obviously when I see sucessful young entrepreneurs I give the guys extra credit, but my idea of a pleasant working week is definitely not dealing with a teenager

I prefer working with older people

Teenagers are like children...they interpret the slightest note of encouragement as an unfettered license to do stupid things.

my 2c

[Unreal030]

No One Takes Me Seriously!
Got potential clients scoffing at you because of your age? Here's how to have the last laugh.
By Sara Wilson | December 01, 2002

Q: How do I appear professional and get taken seriously?
A: This is a concern of nearly every young entrepreneur out there. Many people still believe that MBA grads or corporate execs are the only ones whose opinions count, even thought teenagers are now more and more often the ones telling the success stories.

Hopefully, that stereotype will change as people become more aware of teens in business, but until then you will still face the challenge of demonstrating that you're credible, in spite of your age. So how do you do this?

Before you do anything, consider your attitude. In other words, think of your youth as an asset. You have a fresh, new way of thinking that has not yet been tainted by formal training or "traditional" methodology. You have an energy that allows you to come up with innovative ideas and unique solutions to problems. And you have a perspective that may be vital to clients who are trying to reach--but can't understand--the teen market. You have all this working for you, and if you believe this, they will believe in you.

Once you have your attitude in place, you are ready to meet potential clients. If you meet with them in person, it is important to dress professionally and act the part to blend into the crowd. Come equipped with business cards and a briefcase, and avoid talking about certain topics, such as school, your parents or your favorite TV show. If you do not yet feel comfortable with face-to-face meetings, limit contact to e-mails or telephone communication. You can worry about in-person contact later.

As you start out, consider offering special discounts for first-time customers or other financial incentives to try your services. This will give clients a chance to test out your skills and find out that you really do know what you're talking about. Once you have established your credibility, any financial sacrifices you made at the beginning will be made up for in the form of repeat business.

From there, getting clients will start to come naturally. Satisfied clients will breed additional satisfied clients--word-of-mouth will create a buzz about you, and before long any trepidation about your age will be replaced by a genuine respect for you and your offerings.
Just keep in mind that you do not always need a degree or a lifetime of experience to be successful. Tom Monaghan--who purchased a pizza store at age 19 that later became Domino's Pizza--and Michael Dell--who started out by selling PCs from his university dorm room--would probably agree.

Source: Entrepreneurship.com

[akula]

great article

I wish more young people in business would carry them selves better

[Unreal030]

Yeah I mostly frequent here for the more or less instant back and forth discussion and entrepreneur.com for the articles and the like. Two very good resources.

[Ian]

Ah well I dress professionally if the occasion calls for it, I carry myself well too. (those guys at this VW dealership I was applying for a job at sure noticed..although they were prob just trying to offload the latest car on me.)

And in regard to my age, well come on if I don't start now when exactly can I start? Experience doesn't just appear as well you know.

Ian

[Chilibean]

Great thread Ian!
As far as I am concerned, you are never too young to start in business. If you have never done anything like it before, then age doesn't matter one bit.
I would rather start young and have plenty of time to make it work, than be old and wishing I had started younger!
All you need is the commitment and drive to make it work for you, whatever age you are, and what anyone says shouldn't make a difference.
Remember the saying "You can if you think you can".

[Ian]

Well at least someone isn't scathing ;p lol

But seriously, I agree from both sides, 1.) I wouldn't trust anyone under the age of 17 with anything remotely business related. but 2.) you are also never too young, everyone needs a headstart just need to be mature about things and keep on the straight and narrow.

Ian

[Chilibean]

I don't do scathing, it's not nice and it's very negative. We've all been laughed at from one time to another, it's just up to the individual to prove them wrong, and sometimes it gives you just the boost you need!

[Ian]

I said this guy on this business course was immature once (which he was) he nearly shit a square brick, stuck up little..AHEM anyway, I agree Chilibean.

Ian

[Paint and Air Sportz]

Im 15, as of now i'ev met with commercial real estate agents, talk show hosts, countless other entrepanuers, a VP of virgin airways, several fortune 500 executives, landlords, sales reps, franchise kings.

True business people care about one thing, making more money. And they look right pass my age to my wallet.

But at thesame time, i have a taste for fine clothes and have a closet full of blazers, highend dress shirts, designer dress pants ect...

[Ian]

Useful information, mate.

Anyway, any UK members see the early episodes of "Tycoon" ? damn I hated that kid with the magazine, didn't know he was born from what I gathered.