[jor133d]

Hi!

I am currently a college student. I have been running a small web design business since I started high school. I have always done it as a hobby. I have gotten a few clients over the years, mostly only by word of mouth or friends.

For the most part, a lot of businesses don't want to hire a kid making websites out of his room. Also having taken a few photography courses and experimenting I have been getting a lot of positive feedback on my photos and portraits. I feel I bring an edgier element to much of photos which attract high school seniors.

Anyways, my long term goal is to be the company people go to in my area when it comes to multimedia or advertising. From print, websites, photos, video or even music (disc jockeying and music production).

For the time being however, I would like to focus on developing my web design and opening a division for photography. As I said, I am a college student, so when it comes to funds for equipment.... well there isn't any. Also as many kids could go to there parents for such needs, but with a single income living from paycheck to paycheck, that’s not an option for me.

So I am here to see if I can get some advice on what my options are. Are there people who would be willing to invest to help me get established? Where do I find such a person? How does that all work? What are my other options?

So pretty much, now that you know my situation... what’s your advice for me?



THANKS a bunch!
Jordan

[gacktech]

How much capital do you need to expand you business? You could probably get a bank loan with a solid business plan.

gacktech

[HeatherJ]

As gacktech said, a solid business plan would allow you a loan for capital. Your other option is to continue to build websites and save the money (so tedious and boring, but what I did...lol)...I would step up your marketing and networking and bring on additional clients since you do seem to be established somewhat in the website design area.

Also, you mentioned that you treat your business as a hobby. This is completely off topic, and unsolicited advice, however, I've found when you treat your business as a hobby, people see it as a hobby and not a talent that you have and the drive to start your own business so young. Perhaps you don't mention to new potentials that you work out of your dorm room. I work from home with my kids running around. No one knows unless I tell them.

Just a thought!

Good luck!

[youngmoneyblog]

good luck on your ventures.

hit up student organizations on your campus. pair yourself up with a printing company unless you can print yourself. design flyers... etc. for organizations... and see if that helps your business. thats how shoxinc.com got started.

[candormedia]

Hey Jordan,

It seems we are twins separated at birth . I am currently in my 2nd year of university and like you, have been designing websites, making music, films, etc. for years now. I have decided to take this summer to try and see if I can really make a living doing design work without relying on another job for income.

So far, it's tough for sure, but definitely not impossible. One thing I defintiely recommend you should do is look for governmetn grants and programs that help young entrepreneurs... I'm in Canada and I recieved a grant to support me in starting up my business from the Government, I'm sure there are similar things in your area, just search the web. Other than that, do lots of work, and maybe even get a part time job to start, so that you can do some free/cheap jobs for people, because I have found that for young, freelance designers, word of mouth is probably or best marketing... With that said, be really interested in what your client wants, make sure your work is good, and (s)he'll inevitably recommend you to another client.

That's about all I can say really, I'm no expert on the topic, jsut sharing my current experience. If you're ever looking to collaborate or have an idea for some sort of mutually beneficial marketing scheme, haahhaa, feel free to e-mail me.

Best of luck,

Chris