Mat C: How to convince parents to let me work on business?
Long story short
I’m 19, recently got funding for a video game company I co-founded. This sounds “childish”, but my parents will freak out because I quit college over it.
I can go back to school, however, I have no intent to. A business requires MANY MORE hours than college, so if I was lazy, I would pick college. I love learning: I read over 300 pages of business books a day, and I have a crystal clear vision of what I want to do in the next years to come; and that does not require a degree.
I want to bring this to parents so that they don’t get hurt.
However, I’m 100% that my decision to quit school is correct.
Thanks, I’m out space.
Brief accomplishments:
Without parental assistance (my parents are not entrepreneurs):
Started my first business at 16 selling collectible cards
Later started a inspirational magazine for young entrepreneurs and grew to 7 columnists.
-A year ago, started consulting firm for charities. I grew the firm to about 10 people.
Answers and Views:
Answer by kaliselenite
At 19, you are an adult. Unless they were funding your college, and you misused their funds, there really isn’t anything they can do about it, though I understand that you want to break it to them gently.
Even if you didn’t need one to get the funding you got, I’d write up a business plan (always a good idea with a new business, anyway) — and present the plan to them when you talk to them, so that they can see this is not just a “whim,” and that you are serious and are looking not only at short-term goals, but long term goals, as well. Also, join your city’s Small Business Association, if having connections there would be helpful to you.
Some business classes (even if you don’t intend to major in anything), might be something you think about taking down the road to get information from experienced people.
It seems you have the drive to make something like this work — if you have the right tools and connections, you should go far.
Good luck.
Kalis has some excellent things to say. You should pay heed to them, especially the part about the business plan. Check out the SBA website. They actually have some really good stuff there for people wanting to start a business.
You don’t seem overly interested in hearing a differing opinion, but I think you should reconsider the degree thing. Not because you necessarily need one to be successful in business, but because the world views you differently when you have one. I did something very similar to what you did. I thought I was going to tear up the world because I was just so damn good at what I did. Forget what the rest of the world thinks. Unfortunately, we need the rest of the world (at least a portion of it) to be successful in business. I went back and got my degree when I was thirty. I can tell you unequivocally that things got TREMENDOUSLY easier when I had the degree. People will take you more seriously. You can argue that it shouldn’t be so, but it’s true.
There’s a reason people get degrees and it’s not necessarily for the education. It’s to show the world that you have the discipline and stick-to-itiveness to get something done.
At 19, you are an adult under U.S. law. You can do whatever you want, and if you’re making major bucks now, who cares? Part of being an adult is taking the hits for the bad decisions we make. Go for it!
Answer by Doran PWell unfortunately if they do freek out it only means that they have an IQ deficiency, due to living their lives in ignorance.
The reality of life is that “degrees” and “schooling” are no guarantee for success. They are however a good gaurantee that you will spend your life working for someone else, building someone elses dream. Your time here on Earth will be wasted on someone elses time clock.
You sir, are on the right track. I went down a similar road.
I support you fully, in fact if there is anything I can lend you in the way of knowledge, or a good deal. I will.
put me in your contact book
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