Comments on: Open Thread: What Was Your First Business?

By: Adam Hill

Adam Hill — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 03:00:56 +0000

My first business is my current one – a small web development business “Advanced Design Online”. However, while that was starting out, I also ran a coffee vending machine business, A La Coffee (www.alacoffee.com) with 2 housemates and was working 4 other part time jobs and studying my Masters at Uni. Crazy times.

None of us had time to continue the coffee vending business, so we sold out, which was a shame because we’d all be better off if we kept it :(

By: Alexander Langer

Alexander Langer — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:52:23 +0000

My first job was as a cashier besides school. I started when I was 16.

I learned that most people have to work hard for long hours and still don’t make much money. But it also taught me that somehow I wanted to work with people and at least from time to time I would meet them in person.

By: George Fragos

George Fragos — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:39:32 +0000

As a kid I provided numerous unrelated services for spending money. The first real business I started was as a commercial photographer. What photographers charged for their work was more based on what was being photographed than the labor content. I collected prices from a number of studios and the structures very very inconsistent. I’d seen friends work on the cheap and saw that it effected the quality of their work and their attitudes. To build my price list, I took the highest price charged by anyone for each type of photograph and marked it up 10%. I was guaranteed to be at least 10% more expensive than anyone else. I matched that price with my very best efforts for quality and attention to detail. I felt good about my work and its value to others. I also found that my higher pricing tended to keep away the kinds of customers I didn’t want to deal with anyway. What I learned was that there’s no substitute for a positive attitude and taking pride in your work.

By: Robert Armstrong

Robert Armstrong — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:37:47 +0000

Way back as a child, I had a Badge-a-minute button maker. I turned that into a business making campaign buttons for my mother’s politically active friends.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:12:32 +0000

I would have to say that I have always had the entrepreneurial spirit, I sold anything from bike parts to candy bars when I was younger. The only problem there was that I wasn’t very talented at keeping the books but I sure could find ways to spend the money.

It wasn’t until about four years ago that I took a crack at starting a legitimate business with Asone Clothing Co. Things went ok and I would certainly love to get it back on track now that I feel a bit more confident in being a business owner. I would say the most important lesson I took away from it all was the fact that you need a good plan and an even better understanding of how you will reach your customer.

I took a full time job in between, but then a few months back when I learned that I had a little guy on the way I decided to make the break and have been freelancing ever since. With each new business endeavor I have learned a bit more and so far things are going great.

By: Nicole LaMarco

Nicole LaMarco — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:42:40 +0000

In high school I prepared to open a coffeehouse, complete with a business plan!

By: Anna

Anna — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:35:15 +0000

My first business is selling beauty products online and started to branch out here in Muntinlupa City. The name of the company is Beyond Perfection Beauty products.
The official website is: http://www.digitalbodega.biz
I started it because during the time I was working with a Bank, it was selling like hotcakes. For a couple of years I had very huge sales but due to the worldwide economic crisis, business slowed down. I learned that having own business has its risks too. That’s why I am a freelancer now, I have to think of ways to add income espeically now that i have a kid. :)

By: Mason Hipp

Mason Hipp — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:39:46 +0000

@Tina — Haha! That’s great! You and your sister had quite a selection to choose from. Selling dad’s tools? Priceless.

@Mike — Of course that counts :-) And I definitely remember those metal necklaces, very odd fad…

These are fantastic stories everyone, keep them coming!

By: Shannon Snow

Shannon Snow — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 02:10:13 +0000

My first business was started in middle school. I ran an ezine for teen girls that went out monthly I believe. I built a fabulous website utilizing the tools aol had to offer because I didn’t know anything else! I contacted companies asking for donated prizes for my contests, hired “writers” to write articles, and solicited subscribers. Pretty good for an 11 year old!

By: Mike Smith

Mike Smith — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 23:09:46 +0000

Does buying candy bars and stickers in bulk and selling them in elementary school count? :) I also sold those metal ball necklaces when they were “in”. :)

As for my first big business, you’re looking at it. Blog designing for a living now.