Why is it that some teen entrepreneurs hide their age from clients or customers? I’ve noticed this a few times recently and it really surprises me. I’ve found that being young has helped me in my career more then anything. Shouldn’t being 10 years younger then the rest of the crowd make you stand out and force people to take notice? People may notice you but if a 30-year-old had a really great business and a teenager had an equally great business which one would you give your money to?
If a teen can create a business just as good as the next one then it should be even more impressive because it’s run by a teen. Right?
Wrong.
Teen businesses don’t do as well because adults don’t take teens seriously… and for good reason.
Q. But wait, didn’t you say being young has helped you more then anything?
A. Yes, being young has helped me but only because I get to know my clients and they get to know me. They are able to take me seriously because of that interaction. If I sold a product instead of a service or if I didn’t get to know the people I work for I wouldn’t have that same communication with people and therefore I wouldn’t be taken seriously.
Communication and showing that you’re passionate about what you do is key to being taken seriously.
If you’re a teen entrepreneur and you’re afraid to share your age with clients or customers I totally understand. The only way you can share your age and still be taken seriously is through communication. Sure your business might be more impressive because it’s run by a teen but if you’re business isn’t going anywhere, none of that matters. What matters is communicating effectively with your clients and customers. Do that and nobody will care how old you are, even if you’re half there age.
“What matters is communicating effectively with your clients and customers. Do that and nobody will care how old you are, even if you’re half there age.”
Amen to that, bro. Most people don’t care about age with my photography and I, but I’ve gotten plenty of “Are you majoring in photography?” and the like, and had the grin and bear the the shocked expressions I get in response to my, “I don’t know yet, I’m only fifteen.” You’re right on with this whole post though, teens aren’t taken seriosuly, and we give ourselves a bad name at times.
Guess we better relish our maturity, eh?
Posted by Bekka on Jun 5, 2006.
Yeah, like I had this one guy ask me… oh wait no, I’ve never gotten that. Good points, though.
Posted by Glen C. on Jun 5, 2006.
Yeah Glench… you’re hilarious…
Anyway, good points. Happens to me all the time except I don’t disclose the fact that I am under age until I met them then after they talk to me and we form a business relationship they become so astounded by the fact that I am young…
Posted by Logan Leger on Jun 5, 2006.
Just the fact that Corporate America has developed to be the way it is is what has caused the “low” image of young entrepreneurs. I guess that it’s the generation they were born is where they were raised learning that everything comes from time and experience, and older people have had the experience through time. Now, in our new generation, that’s definitely not the case. Teenagers have been able to develop astounding work, some even far more advanced and better than what many adults can produce.
I’ve had a few cases where age was a factor in both a good and bad way. I’ve had clients that complimented me for doing all I did at a young age, and then I’ve had those times where the people just stopped talking to me.
Posted by Lasha on Jun 6, 2006.
I’ve noticed there are some avenues (ie. Advertising) where youth can be an advantage. Some companies look specifically for young designers/artists/etc. in an effort to reach that same demographic.
Posted by Martin Vossler on Jun 6, 2006.
Hi!
I´m not totally agree with you when you say that is all about communication. For example, when I give an advice to someone that knows me, sometimes they say that I´m too young to tell theme what to do and that I don´t know nothing about that matter, most of times they don´t consider my opinion and in the end they see that I´m right. So I think that your client decision of trust or doesn´t trust in you also depends a lot of your client mentality, communication is important but it is not all… i think…
Bye***
Posted by Inês on Jun 15, 2006.
I personally feel that although communication is important, you also have to demonstrate a significant amount of knowledge to prove yourself and make up for the fact that you are younger and “haven’t or their is a stereotype that you haven’t ” experienced as much as an older person has… I’m faced with this all the time because although I’m young, people tell me that the way I talk is as if I have experienced a lot and I feel that their is a lot of hesitations towards accepting young teens into jobs that are more conservative or require a good education because we have our selves to thank for that and have build a bad reputation for ouselves…
but what I’m trying to say is that employers should give more chances to the younger generation because we are the future. I feel that many employers should also not be judgmental because I personally experienced this and it doesn’t feel good. For example, when I say I want to be a lawyer people automatically ignore my educational background and the fact that I get good marks and am on the honor role, they just look at me and my style and that I’m one of the preppy girls and therefore I can’t be smart. I believe that teens should rethink their actions before proceeding with what they want to do, because it effects more than one person.
Posted by Nicole on Apr 28, 2007.