Is it bad to own your own company while you are under 18, or offer services, I guess not, and I guess so...
So many people think I lie at school about my company, then some belive me,

Others

they will not host because of me not being over 18 and they are protected by a check?


what is wrong, I understand concern but do they think I am a bad person?

First, it's not "bad" to own your own company under the age of 18...Just the opposite! Out of the thousands of "less desirable" things you could be doing, you're running a business. Take pride in that.

Second, whether people at your school believe you or not doesn't really matter, unless you're trying to impress them with the fact you run a business. If that's the case, stop. You'll only make others think that you think you're somehow better than them. Ideally, you want people to be aware of your business, but not because you're the one telling them about it.

Third, there's nothing "personal" about the way you are treated by hosting companies, or any other vendor you might come across who requires you to "sign" or commit to a contract. You see, you're under 18...That means (in most states), you are not legally bound to uphold your end of the contract. If you fail to, for whatever reason, there is little a company can do about it besides go after your parents. They're just trying to protect themselves...It's nothing personal.

You've got a good head on your shoulders, don't let these "challenges" stop you from doing what you want to do...Find a way to make it work. Trust me, while these issues seem "huge" to you now, they aren't. They only serve as "training" for overcoming the bigger challenges that are ahead of you.

Thanks for the words Jim, but I am not talking contracts, I am talking customers, just some not most, most are like what you said think that I am doing something great and are willing to support it.

If it is not right, then I am wrong. But if I am young, and right, what does my age matter?" Haimon from Antigone written by Sophocles.


That says it all

Ahh, just visited your site...You are a host...Sorry, my mistake...But now I have a question: You don't require any legally binding agreement (to pay fee's) between you (your company) and your customers?

Anyway, doesn't really matter.

While you're quote is certainly valid, you're not looking at it from the right perspective. It doesn't matter what you think...Even though the quote is true and would be the ideal in a perfect world.

Take this quote for example:

The old believe everything, the middle-aged suspect everything, the young know everything.

Taken literally, it validates your own line of thinking.

From an "older" (your customers) perspective, it means something entirely different. Just insert the word "think" in between a couple words (I'll let you figure out which ones).

The moral of this story: Think like them. You know you're offering a quality product...Try to hook 'em, if they don't bite, forget 'em and move on. Satisfy enough of those that do bite, and they will sell the others for you.

Besides, customers who already distrust you that much in the beginning are going to be the first to jump ship anyway, but not before they blame every possible Tech-support problem (whether they caused it or not) on your age and cost you more than they're worth.

Do you really want to waste your time on them?

Nice post and good practical advice by Jim Stoddard. I like it.

well... as for the kids not believing you, get yourself a nice lil visiting card.. they will believe you :D


its tuff running a company when your below 18.. for one, you cant get into any legal contracts :(... people are scared abt that... legal hassles are the biggest pains...

i dint realise this until a few days back...


other then that.. it feels pretty cool when you can buy yourself something without a second thought while others have to goto there parents to ask for some cash :D

i can really care less about the ones who dont believe me, because why should I care, i have a few as customers, and all,

I just really care about having respect from peers from here for example, and the loyalty and respect from my customers.

Originally posted by TheComputerGuy
I just really care about having respect from peers from here for example, and the loyalty and respect from my customers.


thats very very tuff to get...

computerguy,
I visited your web site and the only pages I could access were the main page and the hosting plans page.

Originally posted by TheComputerGuy
i can really care less about the ones who dont believe me, because why should I care, i have a few as customers, and all,

I just really care about having respect from peers from here for example, and the loyalty and respect from my customers.

Ignore your fellow students, their disbelief is rooted in jealousy. Just think about what a headstart you are getting in life and try not to smirk too much at them. What you are learning now, from running your business is teaching you things that they may never learn.

Earning the respect of your peers on the Internet is much easier than in person, for here all that matters is what you say and how you say it. We don't know what you look like, or how old you are unless you tell us. We can't judge you based on any stereotypes, preconceived notions or prejudices.

It's the same with your customers, for unless you tell them, they'll never know how young or old you are.

Treat your peers and your customers with politeness and respect, and you'll get that back with interest. Loyalty in this industry is hard to earn, but it can be done. Be honest to a fault, admit when you are wrong, or don't know the answer.

Originall posted by Phoenix
Earning the respect of your peers on the Internet is much easier than in person, for here all that matters is what you say and how you say it. We don't know what you look like, or how old you are unless you tell us. We can't judge you based on any stereotypes, preconceived notions or prejudices.


That's a good advice which also means as I see it "BODY LANGUAGE" the one important thing missing when you are on the www.

I know your pain, I am just out of it :)

I guess age only matters to certain people... and as long as you have adults with you to support you on the legal side, you can run any business you want :)

And once you reach 20... you _begin_ to gain some 'adult' respect... slowly... :)

Originally posted by Félix C.Courtemanche

And once you reach 20... you _begin_ to gain some 'adult' respect... slowly... :)

It took reaching 30 to get to that place, and even now, because I look younger than my years, when people meet me IRL without knowing in advance that I am a mature adult and an intellectual, they tend to not want to take me seriously. Sometimes I use that against them in a business setting and let them assume that my apparent youth means inexperience and lack of intelligence (never underestimate people-assume makes an a** out of u and me), until the time is right and I blow them out of their seats with a seemingly idle comment.

Cactus, one nice thing about the web is the fact that your physical appearance and body language are not taken into account by the people you encounter. This is especially important if you are shy or lacking in social skills (as many of my fellow techies are).

I think of it as leveling the playing field. If you are an effective written communicator, no one online can tell if you are old, young, male, female, or a cat using their owner's computer.

Most online communities include very young members and very old members, all linked together by a common thread that makes them peers.

I consider Computerguy to be my peer, a fellow member of the industry, his age doesn't matter. Your age cannot tell you who you are. He's running a web hosting business, his customers are important to him, and that makes him no different from me.

I think maybe the only concern with people under the age of 18 is the legal possibility of nailing your ass to the wall if you screw someone. Considering most states (and countries) prosecute minors differently if makes it hard to get retribution in the case of bad hosts, programmers, designer etc

It also depends a lot on the client. If your focus is suit and tie guys over 40 a lot will look at an under 18 a little oddly.

If your main communication forum is online (e-mail, ICQ etc) just watch the grammer and check your spelling, and *most* importantly keep an even temper. :)

Greg Moore

Please don't nail anything attached to me to the wall. I promise to be good.


That is true