Hey, I am 15 and I have ran a few hosting companys and I think kids my age should. I mean its a good thing to get into linux and learn how to use stuff. I know how to use linux and php and perl etc. It was fun interacting with my customers and stuff.

While I am not disagreeing with you, as I did start at the age of 14, I must add that being 14-17 years old isn't something you should do. First off, you cannot enter into a legal contract, you do not have the fiancial backing up, you're still in school so your time is limited, you're still dependent on your parents, yet you think that you can have 20-100 customers dependent on you.

Now that I am older, I realize that I didn't have a clue what I was doing.. that it was a mistake.

When I was 14-15, we didnt have these $99 dollar servers from Rackshack, Cpanel wasn't populare, reselller accounts didnt exist like they do. We had to do everything manually.. it took away from my free time, from my friends, family and my right to be a kid. I made the mistake.

If your 15 you should be at school.

meh home schooling > all

Im not gonna force my kids to go through school :x

Originally posted by urooted
Hey, I am 15 and I have ran a few hosting companys...

15 and already ran a few hosting companies?
What happened to them?
Or are you still running them?

Originally posted by Jake Weg
meh home schooling > all

Im not gonna force my kids to go through school :x

That's totally up to you. but school plays an important role in the development of your children's social behavior.

You just shot yourself in the foot...

"Hey, I am 15 and I have ran a few hosting companys"

Even people at the legal/adult age to run a business have not had a "few" companies! The short attention spam of a child is why you have had a "few" and why you probably got bored and dumped your customers each time one failed.

Matt must be pisst since he said "spam" and not "span". lol.

Originally posted by LegacyCX
That's totally up to you. but school plays an important role in the development of your children's social behavior.
Let's not turn this into an anti-home schooling thread, from folks who have no clue what they're talking about. :rolleyes:

Hah, no I sold them when they got big, my life took awhile to get straitend out, so I sold them. I had alot of **** to fix. And yes I should be in school right now but am I? I wonder.. **** NO!

thanx aussie :)

Also there is nothing wrong with a kid starting a company.

If his parents support him everything can easily be done in there name.

And he isnt forcing anyone to buy a server/webhosting from him.

Granted I wouldnt purchase something from a 14 yearold but there is definetly nothing wrong with it :)

Originally posted by urooted
Hah, no I sold them when they got big, my life took awhile to get straitend out, so I sold them. I had alot of **** to fix. And yes I should be in school right now but am I? I wonder.. **** NO!


Sounds very professional using **** or any cuss words. You should wait until your older to be more professional in a business that has customers that rely on there host.

Originally posted by Aussie Bob
Let's not turn this into an anti-home schooling thread, from folks who have no clue what they're talking about. :rolleyes:

From folks who have no clue? lol. Unless you know what I do for a living and study, you may want to think otherwise. (hint hint, it has to do with medicine)

Home Schooling is not a bad thing, and I am not against it. But with my recent studies and what I've seen, there are many problems with home schooling.

So unless you have any clue what the impact of home schooling can do to a child by studing them and their mind, I think you should really consider not doing home schooling.

He/She is too young - customers will suffer, parents will take on to much liability.

Enjoy your youth!

If I had to do it all over again, I would have done NO business at a young age & just enjoyed my life - because now I can't get that time back... I lose...

Originally posted by LegacyCX
From folks who have no clue? lol. Unless you know what I do for a living and study, you may want to think otherwise. (hint hint, it has to do with medicine)
As I said, it's not the thread for a discussion about home schooling. Based on your comments, it was obvious to me that you have no real understanding of home schooling. But you are more than entitled to an opinion. :)

That's your opinion. Granted that.

I have plenty of friends who were home schooled and I myself was home schooled for two years I dont beleive that me or my friends have any social problems.

Originally posted by LegacyCX
. . . Home Schooling is not a bad thing, and I am not against it. But with my recent studies and what I've seen, there are many problems with home schooling.

So unless you have any clue what the impact of home schooling can do to a child by studing them and their mind, I think you should really consider not doing home schooling.
Your opinion is noted.

Now back to the thread topic . . .

2 years is different.. ok so you went to a public/private school.. I am referring to parents who keep their kids home schooled for more than half of their schooling life...

As to the thread starter, I highly doubt they were "profitable" to the point that you sold them.. more likely you closed them and ran away.

Enjoy your youth, you have plenty of time to run a business when you get older.

my friends were home schooled since like 4th grade I was for 11th and 12th

Originally posted by Jake Weg
my friends were home schooled since like 4th grade I was for 11th and 12th

Are you in the USA? Did you attend prom/graduation for senior year...

yea and no but I o have a girlfriend that I have been with for 4 years so I dont beleive it had an affect on me also most of my frienes have girlfriends or are married.

This post is getting out of hand. If you want to talk about Home schooling talk about it in the WHT Lounge.

aight Im done here if someone creates a thread in the lounge I"ll continue :o

Originally posted by LegacyCX
2 years is different.. ok so you went to a public/private school.. I am referring to parents who keep their kids home schooled for more than half of their schooling life...
And gee, in your opinion that's such a tragedy. But wait, you have studies that prove this correct. Please take your home schooling bashing somewhere else.

Now back on topic -

Do I think a 15 yr old should be running a hosting business. Probably not, but that would depend on the individual. Some of today's very successful business people started businesses when they were young.

Most 15yr olds are not thinking about starting a business. I think there's merit there, when someone so young, wants to build their own business.

Parental supervision and guidance would be optimal in this situation. But that's not always possible, as most 15yr old's parents know little about the net, or business in general.

There's not a "right" or "wrong" answer to this question, as some folks still think that their opinion represents a universal foundation for truth. It's totally dependent on individual's circumstances etc.

I agree with Aussie Bob however altough parents might know little about the net there suggestions about buissness and the buissness world can be very valuable. In many ways giving you their experiance and helping you later on even if you dont make money at 15 it can be helpfull for the future.

I think that there are some 15 year olds who (with the support and undersigning of their parents) are able to run a hosting company. However, I can tell from the way that you conduct yourself that you are not one of these individuals

Originally posted by MN-Robert
If your 15 you should be at school.

:gthumb:

Well.. very rude IMO..but anyways, I see why I dont enjoy coming here.. goodbye.

Originally posted by MN-Robert
If your 15 you should be at school.
Well, looking past your abuse of the English languge with that sentence, a hosting business can be operated part time. If the host is sourcing supply from a "reseller account", then they are not responsible for admining their server. That's their suppliers responsibility. Sales and tech support can easily be handled after normal school hours and on weekends. Many adults run hosting businesses, while holding down full-time jobs, in the same manner.

I'm not saying that 15yr olds should run out and start a hosting business. I'm saying that it is possible to run a responsible hosting business, while they also tend to other commitments.

Originally posted by LegacyCX
Well.. very rude IMO..but anyways, I see why I dont enjoy coming here.. goodbye.
Noone has been rude to you. You are more than entitled to your opinions and I am entitled to express mine. :)

Originally posted by Jake Weg
meh home schooling > all

Im not gonna force my kids to go through school :x

No offense, why not? Theres where they will learn their most valued lessons in life.. why shelter them from something that will make them more social, and stronger when it comes to interacting with other people their age?

I just never saw how homeschooling would assit any child in learning, better than a public (or even private) school.

thehostworks your post belongs in the lounge. You've been around here long enough to know that!

And with regards to the 15yr old. I also doubt that you sold "your webhosting companies". You did indeed most likely ran away with your supposed customers money. Remember hosting your schoolfriend's websites for a bar of chocolate every month really isn't running a hosting company...although for some it costs about the same.
You simply aren't mature enough to conduct yourself in a way that you can converse with clients and potential clients. This means that you cannot successfully run a business, and I for one know that none of my team would stick around if I treated them with disrespect.
If/When you ever do a business studies course, you'll learn that the key items to running a business are:
"Respect"
"Responsibility"
"Reward"
This means you have to respect your staff, take on your own responsibilities properly, and assign rewards where due.

I wonder if your parents would so eagerly support you if they knew that one unhappy customer could cause the loss of their internet connection, then their PC, and then their property.

Originally posted by Jake Weg
I agree with Aussie Bob however altough parents might know little about the net there suggestions about buissness and the buissness world can be very valuable. In many ways giving you their experiance and helping you later on even if you dont make money at 15 it can be helpfull for the future.

Go back to school.

Originally posted by Gantic
Go back to school.
Or work much harder on your spelling. :)

Correct spelling is so important, when you're working online. Most of your interaction with your clients will be through email, or the text on your site. It's so critical that the spelling be 100%. Incorrect spelling on sites, is a real turn off, imo.

Although I see many mature aged hosts, who have no clue about spelling. You see "their", when they should say "they're" or "there". It's either laziness, english is not their primary language, or they should be trying much harder.

lol ugh this is a forum not a essay ! hehe :P

No offense, why not? Theres where they will learn their most valued lessons in life.. why shelter them from something that will make them more social, and stronger when it comes to interacting with other people their age?

I just never saw how homeschooling would assit any child in learning, better than a public (or even private) school.

1 on 1 teaching is always better then sitting in a classroom.

Also like I said before its very easy to have a social life and be home schooled.

Do you know anyone that was home schooled or have any other exp in this matter ? I see alot of people saying that these days while I do see the connection I still dont think it is applicable here unless the child naturally is not a friendly/social type or they live in middle of no where and school is the only place they can see other people that are the same age.

Jake Weg, how about continue the home schooling discussion here (http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=187563)? :)

Ive ran a hosting biz starting at the age of 14 (with parental supervision of course) and am still running it now, nearly 3 1/2 years later. I must say that it has become rather successful and now have full time techs working for me.

Its not really a question of how old you are, but how mature you are.

Originally posted by SilveR_Pixel
Ive ran a hosting biz starting at the age of 14 (with parental supervision of course) and am still running it now, nearly 3 1/2 years later. I must say that it has become rather successful and now have full time techs working for me.

Its not really a question of how old you are, but how mature you are.

Can you PM me the link to your web hosting company?

Thanks!

I'm 14, started when I was 13.

The only thing my mother knows on the computer is how to launch Freecell... and my father knows how to read his email thru hotmail...

So they cannot really help me with technical issues but they can give me their point of view about my marketting ideas and these types of "problems".

I'm now running as a freelancer for 1 year and a half, and did a few websites for 5 years (The first commercial website I done was in 1999, I was 10.)

I'm not having problems with school and/or friends. I'm stil having people stop me to ask me free accnts at school, even people I don't know... LOL

Anyway, it's a great venture and I want to continue this way!

:removed:

Originally posted by urooted
I mean its a good thing to get into linux and learn how to use stuff. I know how to use linux and php and perl etc.

But it's not a good thing to get into or learn Linux by testing it out on real customers who depend on you for their business.

It was fun interacting with my customers and stuff.

And it's not a game, either.

can a 14-16 year old run a hosting business? Yes its possible. Should they? Probably not. I started in the hosting industry when I was 16 (i'm 21 now). Yes I was able to do it, but not with out great sacrifice. I was not able to complete college because of the amount of hours I had to do. I generally could never go out with friends because there was always work to get done. Lost one girlfriend because I could not spend enough time with her. If your willing to do what needs to be done it can be done successfully. But if you do a half-ass job you'll have a lot of pissed off customers. Luckily now I have more time for myself now that there are additional employees, but it took 3 - 4 years before that happened.

I'm 16 and I feel that I can run a webhosting company just fine -- I know PHP, Linux, and everything else that's "needed" to know. But, however, I realize I still have friends and have a life so I much rather spend it with them and having fun rather then staying online all day helping clients. That's why I'm not doing it :)

Originally posted by Jake Weg
Also there is nothing wrong with a kid starting a company.

If his parents support him everything can easily be done in there name.


The child will not have anything to fall back on when his business fails. Lack of knowledge lack of funds and his age will contribute to the downfall of his "business"

Any parent supporting a 15 year quitting school to start a business especially one that is saturated should be shot in the foot.

Originally posted by Aussie Bob
Well, looking past your abuse of the English languge .

What are you the grammar police?


with that sentence, a hosting business can be operated part time


Sorry don't agree with you most customers expect things done now. Theirs a wide variety of hosts offering 24/7 support and if a host advertised 4 hours support per day what is going to happen when he gains 100 clients?

You have to also remember that clients don't live in the same timezone. That's what I dislike about this industry anybody with a few dollars can become a "business"

I have been here for quite some time and have seen other teens starting up webhosts then conversations about their ethics drag on and on for pages, and when it gets to much for them they quit running off with the money.

Originally posted by MN-Robert
What are you the grammar police?

No I am ;)


Theirs a wide variety of hosts offering

There's

;)

And for what it's worth, I don't personally feel a 15yr old should be running a web hosting business. Although to each their own, and there are exceptions to every case/rule.

I agree about the reseller account. I think one could do it if they had a reseller account. Because then they dont have to monitor servers and such.

Originally posted by urooted
Hey, I am 15 and I have ran a few hosting companys and I think kids my age should. I mean its a good thing to get into linux and learn how to use stuff. I know how to use linux and php and perl etc. It was fun interacting with my customers and stuff.



Just the fact that you said "I have ran a few hosting companies" would suggest that ... no, you should not be running a hosting business at 15.

I started my first company at 13, so I'm not going to argue over the merits of age ... but when you claim that you have ran a few hosting companies at 15, I would suggest something is already wrong in this picture, regardless of age.

loongg thread but here goes anyway.

First of all, home schooling in some states/areas is the only viable option. Not everyone lives in the Beverly Hills area where the high school has a gym that opens into the swimmng pool. In Georgia, we are at the bottem of the barrel in public schools. You would not believe how bad they are here, how bad the teachers are and how really bad many of the parents and as a result how bad these horrible horrible kids act. Even in some of the best public schools here, kids are sharing 2-3 for every 1 book. Home schooling can and is the only real option for those parents who care but can't afford $5000 + per year to send their kids to private schools.

That said, no minor child should be running a hosting company or anything more serious than a snack shack or lemonade stand. Why? Because running a business is not about how much php, mysql or whatever you know. You can always hire tech talant. Running a good solid business is about business knowhow, decision making, planning, foresight, the ability to set up procedures and the discpline it takes to follow them unerringly but with the wisdom to know when to bend them. It means tracking and reading the results, making the tough decisions. It is a lot of things most of which doesn't have anything to do with your technical knowledge but does take some life experience to know & recognize what to do - to develop the instinct and the discpline.

ie, just because one is a doctor doesn't mean one should run a hospital.

Very well put Kathy ... on all counts.

My two cents: It depends on what you define as a "hosting company." If you're 15, hosting for a couple of your friends, and running a Counterstrike server, I have absolutely no problem like that.

If you want a dedicated server and wish to offset the costs by selling hosting to people you know, again, I have no problems with that.

It's when you start hosting for businesses and other places that rely on their website to be up all the time that I have a problem.

It's when you start advertising "24/7 support" (except when you're in school, or doing your homework, or sleeping) that I have a problem.

I don't have a problem with teenagers wanting to learn more about hosting. I don't have a problem with them leasing dedicated servers or running a game server for the heck of it. I don't mind them offering hosting as long as they make their situation clear to their clients. Otherwise, a situation arises where the server needs to be rebooted or the network goes down and the one person running the business simply isn't around to fix it. This is the crux of the friction between those two term themselves "real hosting providers" (i.e. those who hire a support staff, do provide 24/7 support, and are in this business full-time) vs. those who are just in the hosting business as an experiment or as a way to make a quick buck.

If you're a teenager and you want to start a hosting company, go for it. Just don't make unrealistic promises, and be upfront with your customers about your other commitments. With luck, you'll learn enough to make starting your own business worthwhile once you're older.

Now about business license and tax stuff. They can have there parents sign up as the owner of the business cant they? And also in some states if your under 18 you dont have to pay tax till you make a certain amount of money a year. And I also heard somewhere that some states Webhosting businesses dont have to pay taxes and stuff.

And another thing about support. Someone can run a business of webhosting by themselves. All they really need to do is not advertise 24/7 customerservice cause then that would be a lie. Just check when your home on the computer. Maybe in the morning before work if you have another job. When you get back from work. Maybe if you have a break during work. Before you go to bed. Really all you need to do is make sure you answer within 5-8 hours and most customers will be satisfied.

thus is life... it takes good judgement. So how do you get good judgement... through experience. And how do you get experience... through bad judgement. So maybe perseverance is the answer, might get it right by the time you are 16 or maybe even 17. I am 40 and still make mistakes, funny most of the posts were from people that have made the same mistakes a 15 year old were. They just want to save you the pain- anyone who disagrees with that can wait for his customers to get frustrated and pick them up later. I liked it when my kid was 16 doing football, baseball, working, and hanging out with his friends. If I was short of cash he could loan me a couple hundred till I got to the bank. He used to curse me for getting him to learn how to type, now he wished I had pushed harder (lol) at about 75wpm and 18 y/o.

Originally posted by MN-Robert
What are you the grammar police?
Yes. :D
Sorry don't agree with you most customers expect things done now. Theirs a wide variety of hosts offering 24/7 support and if a host advertised 4 hours support per day what is going to happen when he gains 100 clients?
Who said a host has to advertise 24/7 support? Leave the strawman alone. They can easily provide tech support on a 12 hour turnaround. That would be probably quicker than most huge hosts. I read the support SLA for a large host, and they guarantee that they'll respond to tickets in 24 hours. :eek:

Young hosts who source supply from reseller type account [note I'm not saying who source supply from their own ded server/s], don't have to sysadmin the server. That's their suppliers responsibility. They just have to answer tickets, support emails, sales emails and setup new accounts, in a timely fashion.

I know a lot of adult hosts who hold down full-time jobs, that work in this fashion. For you to say it's not possible, is simply not accurate.
You have to also remember that clients don't live in the same timezone.
If they don't live in the same time zone as a young host, then that would most probably work to the host's advantage.
That's what I dislike about this industry anybody with a few dollars can become a "business"
That's probably how you got started and that's how we got started. It's probably how a LOT of hosts got started. We started from the bottom, with a simple reseller account, and now have our own servers coled in NAC. That's one of the great advantages of the hosting business, in that there is a very low entry level and has a very scaleable business model.
I have been here for quite some time and have seen other teens starting up webhosts then conversations about their ethics drag on and on for pages, and when it gets to much for them they quit running off with the money.
Yes, I'm sure that some teens have run off with the money and done the wrong thing. A lot of adult hosts are also guilty of this too.

As someone pointed out in this thread - it's not a matter of age, it's a matter of maturity.

Some older hosts acts as children, and some young hosts act real professionals. The teenager who wants to be a good webhost probably has the grammar and spelling skills of those who are older, as well as a good grasp of their native language. They know how to conduct themselves towards their clients. Running a business doesn't nessessarily mean they need a business license. The word "business" isn't equal to the legal word "business". A contract can be binding between two individuals. It's the client who has to make sure that they know who they're dealing with. I don't think an e-book store is going to host with a new "company" hosted out of a basement. If they choose such a host, then they're just plain stupid. If you have a business that relys on the Internet, you can also afford to pay for quality.

Well I thought I'd have my say in this,

I am 14 years old at the moment, I left school exactly a year ago. I am currently doing home schooling and doing 2 jobs, (My hosting company and tech support for another). I have been running my company for nearly a year now, I must admit sometimes I honestly felt like quitting, but I didn't.

Now, where I stand I know some people might think this as terrible, but I now have 3 clients, 3 absolutely great clients... I personally agree with the saying "Quality over quantity".

For this, I believe that if you are in the right state of mind, and have the right knowledge then you will succeed. Just keep going and take in the good advice and dismiss the bad.

Just my $.02 :-)

Regards,
Solomon Wheeler

Originally posted by Aussie Bob
[B]
Who said a host has to advertise 24/7 support? Leave the strawman alone. They can easily provide tech support on a 12 hour turnaround. That would be probably quicker than most huge hosts. I read the support SLA for a large host, and they guarantee that they'll respond to tickets in 24 hours. :eek:



We are not talking about large hosts, the majority of hosts are small - medium size however I may have a different view on what large is.


Young hosts who source supply from reseller type account [note I'm not saying who source supply from their own ded server/s], don't have to sysadmin the server. That's their suppliers responsibility. They just have to answer tickets, support emails, sales emails and setup new accounts, in a timely fashion.


Agreed


I know a lot of adult hosts who hold down full-time jobs, that work in this fashion. For you to say it's not possible, is simply not accurate.



I know lots of "resellers" that have full time jobs too. It depends on your client, if your going after the local market I am sure they will allow a 24 hour response it really depends on the problem. If Joe is away and the server is down 6 hours while he is at school what is Joe going todo?

If your going after the webmarket for example customers that post here most want an answer then and there, they are not willing to wait. Customers expectactions (if they are in the loop) they want every done now and not later. So Joe will have a dilemma. At 15 the moral thing would be goto schoo, if you want your kids to leave school to work for you at 15 Bob then more power to you. Joe will not have anything to fall back if his business will fail, he will find himself 18 with no education no job and no positions opening due to no qualifications. If you think you can do it go for your life my views no 15 is too young.


If they don't live in the same time zone as a young host, then that would most probably work to the host's advantage.


How so? Even hosts with 50cent/mth deals have 24/7 support listed whether they offer it is another question.


That's probably how you got started and that's how we got started. It's probably how a LOT of hosts got started. We started from the bottom, with a simple reseller account, and now have our own servers coled in NAC. That's one of the great advantages of the hosting business, in that there is a very low entry level and has a very scaleable business model.


Nope server at VO.



Yes, I'm sure that some teens have run off with the money and done the wrong thing. A lot of adult hosts are also guilty of this too.



That's true, however the vast majority of them would be the younger crowd.

One last thing Timmah
:D

Originally posted by MN-Robert
We are not talking about large hosts, the majority of hosts are small - medium size however I may have a different view on what large is.
We're talking about a 15yr old host who is sourcing supply from a reseller account. They're a very small host and won't offer 24/7 support.
I know lots of "resellers" that have full time jobs too. It depends on your client, if your going after the local market I am sure they will allow a 24 hour response it really depends on the problem. If Joe is away and the server is down 6 hours while he is at school what is Joe going todo?
Joe's supplier is responsible for server issues. Joe has a Reseller account. He is not sysadmining his own server. If Joe has a good supplier, then he can rest easy, knowing the server will be well managed etc. If Joe's supplier is sleeping and not on the ball 24/7, then Joe's business will suffer.
If your going after the webmarket for example customers that post here most want an answer then and there, they are not willing to wait.
As they would wait if they had an account with a Top 10 host, who has a 24hr support SLA.
Customers expectactions (if they are in the loop) they want every done now and not later. So Joe will have a dilemma.
Of course folks want things done "right now". Nothing wrong with a host who answers tickets in a 12hr turnaround. We respond within 10 to 30 minutes, but we're not Joe with a reseller account.
At 15 the moral thing would be goto schoo, if you want your kids to leave school to work for you at 15 Bob then more power to you. Joe will not have anything to fall back if his business will fail, he will find himself 18 with no education no job and no positions opening due to no qualifications. If you think you can do it go for your life my views no 15 is too young.
I think 15yr olds should be out there enjoying life. I had a blast when I was 15 and wouldn't dream of building such a complex business as web hosting. But that was 19 years ago, and the world is a very different place to what it was then. It comes down to the individual's circumstances. Is it possible that a 15yr old can create a responsible and successful hosting business? Yes. Should they? IMO, no, but it comes down to individual circumstances. No blanket "yes" or "no" answer here.
How so? Even hosts with 50cent/mth deals have 24/7 support listed whether they offer it is another question.
Again, more strawman arguments here. I don't give a hoot if a host claims 24/7 support. I know some larger hosts who really don't provide this.
Nope server at VO.
That's still a very small outlay for your supply. Makes little difference if you started at the reseller or dedicated level. We started at the reseller level and have overtaken many hosts who started before us, from the dedicated level. :) What level you start your business at is up to each person to decide and go from there. What you do after the whistle blows and you kick off, that makes the difference. :)
That's true, however the vast majority of them would be the younger crowd.
Unless you can provide some hard statistics and proof that backs your statement, you should qualify your comments with a "IMO". :)

Originally posted by MN-Robert
If your 15 you should be at school.

You, sir, need to be in school. "You" and "you're" are two different words. To answer your follow up, I'm 24 years old and absolutely fed up with the grammar on this site (and the irony of your post).

Originally posted by ChrisF79
You, sir, need to be in school. "You" and "you're" are two different words. To answer your follow up, I'm 24 years old and absolutely fed up with the grammar on this site (and the irony of your post).
hehe. Don't worry, you weren't the only one who saw the irony there. :D

............ rinse, repeat ............

These threads are repeatitive. Kids think they can do it, adults argue. Kids all jump on and agree, adults argue........

To all you kids can I see legal documents stating you are infact a company?

Kids are so entrepreneurial at such a young age?

I would agree that it's probably too young to legally start a business and carry out the work of an actual company since there are many other commitments that people at that age have, like schooling.

But I do understand that for some, starting a business is in the blood. And 15 is not too young to want to jump off a building or run a business. Instead of criticizing them or discouraging them, we should encourage them to channel their energies on education at least. They can sett aside time from studies to work on their business, although this would be a shortchange to the client due to commitment issues, and should be made clear to them.

"............ rinse, repeat ............

These threads are repeatitive. Kids think they can do it, adults argue. Kids all jump on and agree, adults argue........

To all you kids can I see legal documents stating you are infact a company?"

its quite easy to get a dba with a parent or other adults signature.

If you could speak in french I could show you some!

Allthough far from 15, I am going to ease into 'the business' as if I was.

I think the operative word here is *scalable* as someone previously put out there.

With my expertise (or lack thereof) starting with a reseller set-up and targeting local for now is a safe bet and would suit the likes of a 15 year old just fine.

Gaining experience and commiting to customers at a digestable rate seems a comendable project for a kid ...

as long as all the concerns stated by others here were managed / considered at a level befitting the circumstances of the person involved -
I couldn't see any problem

JMO

BTW: I frequent a website / forum to do with Flash where the owner / operator has just turned 18 and has been doing so quite well for at least 3 years while attending public school ... he was published (I believe) at 16 and has just started @ MIT .... I guess it is all up to the individual what they can do at 15 .... (?)

If your not of leagal age stay in school. Do not make biz deals you can not by law enter into.

my $0.02

I don't think minors are prohibited from business entirely...
what about child actors...
how about that kid who obtained an authorized Apple reseller license years ago -
wasn't he 15 ? - he turned out to be a million$ seller and apple had to honor his licensing because they didn't stipulate age (at first) on the applications.

The *kid* in my prev. post managed a web business from age 15 and still kept up school-> all the way to MIT.

I'm 18, I'd like to venture into the business, but I'd have to agree with the rest of the 'adults' here. 15 is too young, in my opinion. I'm going to wait untill I finish up college and get some Business Administration classes under my belt.

Hello,

I have read most of this topic now and feel some of the views in this topic are plain stupid.

I live in the UK,
I am 16 years of age and I started my company earlier this year.

I love what I do and like to get to know my clients as much as posible.
I insist local web design clients to come and have a chat with me, and they always think its great that I can do all these things at such a young age.

Im not the greatest speaker, nor am I the best english writer. But I am good at what I do, and it should not be generalised in such a way that you can say: "Teenagers are not old enough to run a company"

A month after I started my company I got it registered with the inland revenue and started to do all the legal proceedings that I had learnt in business studies at school.

My business is now registered with inland revenue and a support time that is specially set up for young business owners helped me to set the business up.

My Mum and Dad have greatly encouraged me and so have all my friends and family.

Did it effect my schooling.
NO

I attended all my GCSE examinations and did very well, (8c's and 1 b). Which was a lot better than my friends that dont do anything outside of school.

I also have a piano and am on grade 5, I still manage to cope with that aswell as my business.

I have now started collge to get qualifications for my skills.

The thing is:
Talented individuals should run a business.
Money minded teenagers shouldnt.

Thanks
Sam

Nice post sjshosting
Being older..much older...ewww
Add being a father to a 15 year old. I can only add this.

I attended all my GCSE examinations and did very well, (8c's and 1 b). Which was a lot better than my friends that dont do anything outside of school

and
Talented individuals should run a business

Think of what you might have made as grades if you had devoted more time to studies?

Talent is a great thing so long as you do not waste it in the wrong places or neglect it.

My point is simple. You are young and need a good education to make it in this world. The folks you read about are 1 in a million.

Stay in school, get the grades you deserve and then put your talent/passion to work.

nuff said.

Ok.
I think you totaly missed what I said.

The grades I got were far more than what I had hoped for. My aim was not to get good grades for my business, it was to get into college.

Which is where I am. So therefore, I think I have "stayed in school" and I am doing what I have always wanted to.

My course is 16 hours a week, that leaves me plenty of time for my business and social activites.

Please remember at 16 here in the UK. You are an adult, you either go to work or go to college, you do not "stay in school".

I choose to go to college, because i do want a good education. In 2 years I aim to be at Uni doing a computer science degree. My current course is equivilent to A levels and Im the youngest on it, so I couldnt of hoped for more.

I aim to be a junior computer programmer when im 23.

Thanks for the advice anyway, but I think I have already took that advice :)

I had a very long summer (10 weeks, with exam leave and all).
I made up my mind and had it all in my head that I would not be going back to college or school and I will run my business.

My family forced me to go to college and said they would support me in anything I do.
I now realise I was stupid to think I could live off a small hosting company for the rest of my life, and Im glad im at college.

Also, I already notice my self more inteligent but less experienced than adults I know.

Anyway thats my second rant :P
Also fathers should regonise childrens computers talants and make use of them. Its not wrong to be good at something.

Also, may I add that bill gates also started young ;)

Originally posted by LegacyCX
I must add that being 14-17 years old isn't something you should do.

This is true. Whenever possible, one should skip directly from 13 to 18.

-B

do not feed the trolls

I thought it was funny ;)

Originally posted by TMX
This is true. Whenever possible, one should skip directly from 13 to 18.

-B

HAHAHA!

Originally posted by hostito
do not feed the trolls

I'm sorry, who are you calling a troll? I've been doing hosting since I was 14, I think I know something about it.

There is a huge disparity between the different parties posting on this thread. The teenagers think they are running a business but think of it this way: My 13 year old daughter babysits for some neighbor kids. Some of her friends who babysit have even done up fliers advertising their babysitting services. Is any one of them a "business"? No. Not in the legal definition.

By contrast, someone who sets up a day care center is very much a business and with it comes all the legal ramifications - licenses, insurance, liability, facilities, contracts, etc.

What we have here are some kids starting "babysitting" services and some of us who own the "daycare centers".

Originally posted by kathystover
There is a huge disparity between the different parties posting on this thread. The teenagers think they are running a business but think of it this way: My 13 year old daughter babysits for some neighbor kids. Some of her friends who babysit have even done up fliers advertising their babysitting services. Is any one of them a "business"? No. Not in the legal definition.

By contrast, someone who sets up a day care center is very much a business and with it comes all the legal ramifications - licenses, insurance, liability, facilities, contracts, etc.

What we have here are some kids starting "babysitting" services and some of us who own the "daycare centers".

I was actually going to say the same thing. When a 14 year old says he owns his own web hosting company, the average person would say "OWN?! OMG", but to own a hosting company takes $33 dollars and a domain name. None of these 14, 15, 16 or 17 year olds ever get the company off the ground and make big bucks.. I mean like RackSpace, ******, RackShack, etc..

The hosting industry is saturated because anyone can get a cheap reseller account, get a domain and slap on the word "host" and start hosting sites.

Originally posted by sjshosting
Also fathers should regonise childrens computers talants and make use of them. Its not wrong to be good at something.

Also, may I add that bill gates also started young ;)

I notice every thing about my kids and there ablitys. My son is awesome at soccer/baseball. Does that mean I shoul allow him to devote all his time to it (he really likes it a lot) and get poor grades. Myabe even start his own team, travel and make money?

It is never wrong to be good at something! Do what you like and be good at it!

The entire thread is about a 15 year old running a web hosting biz.
The main thing I think that was missed is this. When mom/dad pay for it you never really appreciate it...or the cost. You then can offer hosting large hosting plans for a penny. This is what kills the industry. They have no concept of the cost and therefore no idea of what it Really takes to run and maintain, let alone live off your biz.

Bill Gates, like I said the 1 in a Million!!

Originally posted by LegacyCX
. . . The hosting industry is saturated because anyone can get a cheap reseller account, get a domain and slap on the word "host" and start hosting sites.
:usflag:

Originally posted by sjshosting

I attended all my GCSE examinations and did very well, (8c's and 1 b). Which was a lot better than my friends that dont do anything outside of school.


Nothing Personal, but I wouldn't trust anybody with those types of grades, especially with my hosting. But again I guess this is just relative to your location, and my experience; I had a 3.78/4.00 GPA and I was 12th I think in my class of 80.

Bill Gates didn't start that young!!

He started his company at age 20 but didn't really do it full time until he dropped out of his JUNIOR YEAR AT HARVARD. Let it also be said that he HAD a partner - Paul Allen - who was/is a bit older. Let it also be said that Gates parents were/are very wealthy and played a considerable role in "establishing "the new business".

Please don't play Microsoft into a romantic "bootstrapping, kid going from rags to riches" drama. I don't mean this derogatory in any way to Bill Gates/Paul Allen/Microsoft. Just understand the story for what it is.

Originally posted by kathystover
Bill Gates didn't start that young!!

He started his company at age 20 but didn't really do it full time until he dropped out of his JUNIOR YEAR AT HARVARD. Let it also be said that he HAD a partner - Paul Allen - who was/is a bit older. Let it also be said that Gates parents were/are very wealthy and played a considerable role in "establishing "the new business".

Please don't play Microsoft into a romantic "bootstrapping, kid going from rags to riches" drama. I don't mean this derogatory in any way to Bill Gates/Paul Allen/Microsoft. Just understand the story for what it is.

Bill Gates had many successful businusses when he was in high school.

Ok first of all.
Everyone here is using the word "kids".
We should not be sterotyped in this kind of manor.

I am sorry if you do not agree with it, but it is your loss not mine. A lot of people start business at a young age.

I dont know whether some of you feel you are more intelligent or higher up than me because I am 16.

This is not true, a lot of adults leave school without any GCSE's and plus I haven't left school I am following a career and now doing equivilent to A levels.

I am not treated like a kid at college because of my age, there are people on the same course as me that have children. But they show me the same respect as I show them.
Why should it be any different?

My knowledge of computers and hosting is far greater than any of my friends and family.
But I shouldn't be able to use this knowledge?

"What we have here are some kids starting "babysitting" services and some of us who own the "daycare centers"

This is exactly what I mean, you think just because you are older you can run a business. Age has nothing to do with it, it is knowlege and the service you offer.

"When mom/dad pay for it you never really appreciate it"

Again we have the situation that you think my mum and dad fund my business.
Let it be known that a pay for everything myself and deal with all the money coming in or out, whether it be petty cash or sales.

"I wouldn't trust anybody with those types of grades"

I am totaly disgusted with that remark. How dare you even say that to anyone is beyond belief.
That is the most rude and obnoxious I have ever heard anyone say on the internet.

"Please don't play Microsoft into a romantic "bootstrapping, kid going from rags to riches" drama. I don't mean this derogatory in any way to Bill Gates/Paul Allen/Microsoft. Just understand the story for what it is."

I am not in anyway trying to get rich quick. I do it because I like it, If I didnt like it I wouldnt do it and I wouldnt defend myself.

And from what I can remember doing a presenation at school it said he made his OS when he was around 14-17.

Correct me if im wrong.

All in all:

WHAT HAPPEND TO EQUAL OPOURTUNITIES? :confused:

Originally posted by sjshosting
Ok first of all.
Everyone here is using the word "kids".
We should not be sterotyped in this kind of manor.

I am sorry if you do not agree with it, but it is your loss not mine. A lot of people start business at a young age.

I dont know whether some of you feel you are more intelligent or higher up than me because I am 16.

This is not true, a lot of adults leave school without any GCSE's and plus I haven't left school I am following a career and now doing equivilent to A levels.

I am not treated like a kid at college because of my age, there are people on the same course as me that have children. But they show me the same respect as I show them.
Why should it be any different?

My knowledge of computers and hosting is far greater than any of my friends and family.
But I shouldn't be able to use this knowledge?

"What we have here are some kids starting "babysitting" services and some of us who own the "daycare centers"

This is exactly what I mean, you think just because you are older you can run a business. Age has nothing to do with it, it is knowlege and the service you offer.

"When mom/dad pay for it you never really appreciate it"

Again we have the situation that you think my mum and dad fund my business.
Let it be known that a pay for everything myself and deal with all the money coming in or out, whether it be petty cash or sales.

"I wouldn't trust anybody with those types of grades"

I am totaly disgusted with that remark. How dare you even say that to anyone is beyond belief.
That is the most rude and obnoxious I have ever heard anyone say on the internet.

"Please don't play Microsoft into a romantic "bootstrapping, kid going from rags to riches" drama. I don't mean this derogatory in any way to Bill Gates/Paul Allen/Microsoft. Just understand the story for what it is."

I am not in anyway trying to get rich quick. I do it because I like it, If I didnt like it I wouldnt do it and I wouldnt defend myself.

And from what I can remember doing a presenation at school it said he made his OS when he was around 14-17.

Correct me if im wrong.

All in all:

WHAT HAPPEND TO EQUAL OPOURTUNITIES? :confused:

Just an FYI, you may run into some trouble down the line if you use that matrix theme + pictures without permission.

Originally posted by dbbrock1
Just an FYI, you may run into some trouble down the line if you use that matrix theme + pictures without permission.

Oh, please... stay on topic.

Everyone always have to have some snobby remark to make about everything.

I purchased the template from ***************.com therefore I feel I have no problem with using it.

thanks for your concern anyway :angry:

Originally posted by sjshosting
Everyone always have to have some snobby remark to make about everything.

I purchased the template from ***************.com therefore I feel I have no problem with using it.

thanks for your concern anyway :angry:

I was just trying to help you out. So much for that.

Have a good one

I don't think that anyone with your sort of attitude should even consider running a business. You are neither mature enough to handle it, nor are you old enough to enter into a business agreement with a bank, you can open a bank account, but you can't get a credit card, how do you plan on paying for your reseller account/server?
Also you cannot enter into legal contracts with anyone, how do you plan on doing this? Or is "daddy" going to do all of that for you so you can just sit on your computer and click a button if/when one of your schoolfriends wants some hosting from you.
Last time I checked there is no payment gateway in the world that permits under-18s to be the registered contact.
You say you're registered with the "inland revenue", so is my neighbour, she's 16 and does part-time babysitting. The point is everyone over the age of 16 who is earning more than £8,000 per year or who has decided to register with them. This does NOT make you a company, this simply makes you registered for tax. Looks like your GCSE Business Studies course didn't teach you much about formation.

Originally posted by sjshosting
Everyone always have to have some snobby remark to make about everything.

I purchased the template from ***************.com therefore I feel I have no problem with using it.

thanks for your concern anyway

Lol hahahahah lolololol rofl . . I'd like to see that one in court. "But, Judge I Bought it from XYZ! So it HAS to be legal!"

Originally posted by sjshosting

"I wouldn't trust anybody with those types of grades"

I am totaly disgusted with that remark. How dare you even say that to anyone is beyond belief.
That is the most rude and obnoxious I have ever heard anyone say on the internet.

WHAT HAPPEND TO EQUAL OPOURTUNITIES? :confused:

Ok some math:
A = 4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0.
8 C's + 1B = 19 points out of a possible 36.
That's about 52.7%
Which translates to a GPA of about 2.11
Considering last year the average GPA of High School Students (In America) was around 3.3, do I need to go any further

UK System:
A* = 8
A = 7
B = 6
C = 5
D = 4
E = 3
F = 2
G = 1
U = 0

8Cs + 1B = 46
46/9 = 5.1

His GPA = 5.1
Not good enough for any decent 6th Form College.

"I was just trying to help you out. So much for that."

Sorry about that, I took it the wrong way, my fault.

"But, Judge I Bought it from XYZ! So it HAS to be legal!"

Why would template monster sell it if it is wasnt legal?
I pretty much thought it was a big enough company and would of had some kind of system.

"I don't think that anyone with your sort of attitude should even consider running a business. You are neither mature enough to handle it, nor are you old enough to enter into a business agreement with a bank, you can open a bank account, but you can't get a credit card, how do you plan on paying for your reseller account/server?
Also you cannot enter into legal contracts with anyone, how do you plan on doing this? Or is "daddy" going to do all of that for you so you can just sit on your computer and click a button if/when one of your schoolfriends wants some hosting from you.
Last time I checked there is no payment gateway in the world that permits under-18s to be the registered contact.
You say you're registered with the "inland revenue", so is my neighbour, she's 16 and does part-time babysitting. The point is everyone over the age of 16 who is earning more than £8,000 per year or who has decided to register with them. This does NOT make you a company, this simply makes you registered for tax. Looks like your GCSE Business Studies course didn't teach you much about formation."

How would you feel if everyone had basicly said all that you had worked for had been a total sham.
Your GCSE grades were rubish, you are thick. You need to get a life etc etc etc.

Nobody is perfect.

I have an account with HSBC and have internet banking and a solo card, I could also have a switch card if I earned more.
I am also a verified paypal and nochex member.

I realise that registering with the inland revenue does not make me a company, there is no legal document i know of to state that you are a company unless you become a Ltd company.
If you are a sole trader then you pretty much can do anything you like.

"Ok some math:
A = 4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0.
8 C's + 1B = 19 points out of a possible 36.
That's about 52.7%
Which translates to a GPA of about 2.11
Considering last year the average GPA of High School Students (In America) was around 3.3, do I need to go any further"

Ok lets get this straight, your education system is different to ours. A lot of schools dont even allow the amount of course i took. 8 grade c's and 1 b is very good, you require 5 c's to get into college. Im sorry if that isnt good enough for you.
Also in the UK, a* thru to G are classed as GCSE's, only U is no grade.
You can not take my grades and put them into your system. It just doesnt work. I would of thought someone like you would of understood that.

Anyway enough arguing, I said what I need to say, I feel I offer a high level of service and so do my clients.

Let it be said that my selfasteem has been knocked way way down during this debate.

Some of you people have actually really hurt me, I have put a lot of effort into my business and I was on the verge of tears when I heard some of your views.

Let me put some of you on the spot then:

What qualifications have you got?

peace out.

edit:
Im not even going to say anymore, i was dead proud of my results and now I feel like a complete idiot all thanks to you guys that i dont even know.

Grade C and above are good grades, I didnt get one d or anything.
Anyway, ive had enough and i dont exspect to post in this forum again.
Infact I hate this forum and have never felt so upset by a comment on the internet before.

bye

I have something to say here. To tell you the truth, I am 14 years old. I started doing this 6 months ago with a small reseller account with the support of my father. I have to say that I have a life, I have a girlfriend, I get good grades in school, and I run a successful hosting business. With the financial support of my father, I started to make little money until I finally was able to buy servers. Once that happened, there was a chain reaction. I started to make a lot of profit every month. Right now I have 6 support employees and 3 system administrators working from home, for me. That means that I can run a safe and reliable hosting business while doing everything that a kid does. Although my father has his name in everything and helps me, I think that I was the one that made this company so big. The only thing that went wrong was when a server provider of mine, and I won't state any names lost all of its money because of a 34 hour downtime and had to transfer its servers to another company within 24 hours, meaning double server payment, so I ended up losing a lot of money. Even though that set me back, I am still doing good financially. The thing is that I can act mature when needed, and still be a regular kid with my friends. I will probably be doing this for a long time, and I know you must think that the way I conduct my business may not be as good as others, but I am happy with it and so are my customers. There are rare occasions when customers are not happy, and we try to resolve it or refund them, and they end up happy. All I am trying to do is provide great hosting solutions to my customers and make some extra cash to save for later use. I wonder, do you people think that just because I am 14 years old I do not have the intelligence or maturity to handle a business? I know that this is small compared to others, but I can handle it. I live my life regularly, and still check on my business daily. Sure it took me a whole summer of staying on the computer all day to get in this position, but it is working out for me. If you ask me, I have a great life with a lot of friends and I do good in school. I don't know what else to say, but it IS possible for a teenager to run a business, but it is only for certain individuals who can handle it. I have seen people that are over 30 who went to college and everything to start these types of businesses and end up failing. Well, I feel bad for them, but also feel good that I CAN do it. All I ask is that people do not look down on me just because I am younger than you.

- Michael

I only have one question,

How come on your hosting website it says Coming Soon?

Hmm, I feel I should toss my thoughts and my experience into the vat after reading comments by everyone else.

When I was in my first year of HS I started working Phone Monkey support for an ISP in Tx. I was at there for roughly 5 years, quit as the senior admin, and went off to start my own colo business because I did not belive in that isp's business practices/customer policies. I hated having to basically tell a customer that the company I worked for didnt care about them.

I have seen many people post on Support timeframes. Let me start off by saying for being a "real" isp, they did, and still do only offer 9a-9p support mon-sat, and _nothing_ on sun. Granted many the customer has been lost due to DS3's going out on the weekend, or a t1 drops in the middle of the night, and no admin who's only getting paid hourly really wants to care in the middle of the night. I say there is nothing wrong with limited support, reguardless of age, it will only keep you from getting customers. Even so if you get customers that does not mean they will be happy, and probably leave. Age has nothing to do with this, its a company decision. And to further proove my point, ModernBill does not even take any sort of live support. (I should know, I have been trying! ;)

Many have stated that knowing PHP, Linux, and how to run a network is not what is needed, or the only thing. But it IS a start. Discourage kids from wanting to better themselfs. Good idea. If anyone had ever told me I should not have attempted to start my company, or do something, because I was too young, I would have probably stopped speaking with them, for trying to hold me back from potentially bettering myself, and even prooving to myself that I have what it takes to succeed in life.

Now, I do agree that there _is_ a level of responsibility involved, and when it comes to other peoples businesses, and their lifes, its a great responsibility, but at the same time, just because you went through HS and received HS social skills, and HS Business 101, does not make you set for any of this. All it can do is give you additional information to help better your understanding of the market, and business entities and the way things are done, should be done, and so on. Also, I msut say, with most of us, we get to know most people we deal with via email or some form, alot of times mission critial stuff is not just a signup form online. If your willing to bet your business on a company that you know nothing about the background and not sure if you can trust in them, then mebbe your as bad off as the other person.

As have been said, the average parent can check their email, and possibly use AIM. That's the extent. When I started my business, and was speaking with my parents about the model, marketing and such, they would listen, offer advice, but in the end, I was the one responsible for my own decisions, and actions. But they did make me proove to them first, how viable the model was that I presented.

Teens are not the only people to start companies, and then screw the customers and run off. Let's take a look at the last few years, and see how many other companies have done the same. (Rather one large company with an E for a logo is a good start) Plus they screwd over more than just their customers, and the government. To some people, hey, it's business. Do what it takes to make money, get in, make a chunk, get out. Different people have different ideas about earning a living.

But I belive if you cant Respect what your doing, and who your working with, then you shouldnt be in the business.

If you don't try, you won't learn, and you will never find out.
This, is a sad thing.

Having a job in HS can also eat away most of your social time. Does this mean having a job during HS is bad also? Most parents, when the kid is about 16 tell them to get to the nearest grocery store and start bagging, or to start babysitting.

However, at 15 running a company that deals in constant service might not be such a good idea; considering HS Teachers, and not careing, and the fact that when your in class, its time to learn, and not run out of the room to awnser a cell phone call from a $9.99 webhosting customer upset because a cgi script is giving errors and wants to argue with you for hours claiming its your server when its just a typo on their side. Not that there's anything wrong with this, this is what support is there for, to deal with customers and do what it takes to make them happy. (Like that ever happens! ;) (And no, no emotional problems here, just giving examples ;)

Homeschooling is another subject alltogather. Many of my friends were homeschooled, they have good social skills. Due to the homeschooling, they spent even more time at home learning (what they wanted to learn more often) online, and now have extremly nice jobs that pay alot better than most tech jobs right now. So its a toss up. Depends on the parents, and the kids.

Sorry for the long rant, but thats how I see it. And I apparently never learned what a run-on sentance is. ;)

Any opinions are appreciated ^^

Thanks,
Jon Montroll

Originally posted by eLeMenTz
I have something to say here. To tell you the truth, I am 14 years old. I started doing this 6 months ago with a small reseller account with the support of my father. I have to say that I have a life, I have a girlfriend, I get good grades in school, and I run a successful hosting business. With the financial support of my father, I started to make little money until I finally was able to buy servers. Once that happened, there was a chain reaction. I started to make a lot of profit every month. Right now I have 6 support employees and 3 system administrators working from home, for me. That means that I can run a safe and reliable hosting business while doing everything that a kid does. Although my father has his name in everything and helps me, I think that I was the one that made this company so big. The only thing that went wrong was when a server provider of mine, and I won't state any names lost all of its money because of a 34 hour downtime and had to transfer its servers to another company within 24 hours, meaning double server payment, so I ended up losing a lot of money. Even though that set me back, I am still doing good financially. The thing is that I can act mature when needed, and still be a regular kid with my friends. I will probably be doing this for a long time, and I know you must think that the way I conduct my business may not be as good as others, but I am happy with it and so are my customers. There are rare occasions when customers are not happy, and we try to resolve it or refund them, and they end up happy. All I am trying to do is provide great hosting solutions to my customers and make some extra cash to save for later use. I wonder, do you people think that just because I am 14 years old I do not have the intelligence or maturity to handle a business? I know that this is small compared to others, but I can handle it. I live my life regularly, and still check on my business daily. Sure it took me a whole summer of staying on the computer all day to get in this position, but it is working out for me. If you ask me, I have a great life with a lot of friends and I do good in school. I don't know what else to say, but it IS possible for a teenager to run a business, but it is only for certain individuals who can handle it. I have seen people that are over 30 who went to college and everything to start these types of businesses and end up failing. Well, I feel bad for them, but also feel good that I CAN do it. All I ask is that people do not look down on me just because I am younger than you.

- Michael

So what's the URL of your company that is sucessful? The one in your profile doesn't seem to be working.

so.... I have GOT to ask this question, forgive me if it comes accross as hash to the teenagers out there.

What ever happened to the legalities of one under 18 entering into a legal contractual agreement? I own a successful Computer store in my area that sells computers, and cellular contracts. Law says that I can NOT have an employee sign a contract with a customer if that said employee is not of legal age. I am taking it from all these posts about teenage (13-17 year olds) that this does not apply to web hosting companies with the "owners" being under 18 entering into an agreement with a client???

its called not actually owning the company legally :) they just have someone else sign the papers

I started up a game server company when I was 15, then sold it for a nice profit (over the $10K range).. had about 75 customers.

Then after that, went into webhosting.. had about 40 customers then sold for about $1K...

Now being 20, I own my computer company (hehe which I am going to hold on for a while) very nice business to be in.


When I was doing my hosting's.. no one really questions the age of the person, but rather the integrity that particular person has. You dont want some snobbish or irresponsible 15-17 year old who hosts something that makes you money (or at least you pay money for).

Just my humble opinion :)

Originally posted by Jake Weg
its called not actually owning the company legally :) they just have someone else sign the papers



oh, so as "resellers" the agreement isn't with the reseller but the actual host who is providing the service. If that is what you meant.......................lovely




-Brian

Originally posted by ChrisF79
You, sir, need to be in school. "You" and "you're" are two different words. To answer your follow up, I'm 24 years old and absolutely fed up with the grammar on this site (and the irony of your post).

This is classic stuff...hilarious !

Whilst I do agree with you and can understand your frustration, you should know that there are some people on this site who are not native English speakers....very recently there was a man from Holland who pointed this out.

I imagine that some people who misspell words don't mean to do so....whilst others haven't yet grasped the fundamentals of English grammar (i.e. you're instead of your, and they're instead of their).

By the way, the "you're" and "your" mistake is one of the most common mistakes made, and often by native speakers.

All of these explanations certainly aren't excuses for the sometimes terrible grammar and spelling we see in here, but realise that no one is perfect (though they should pay more attention when writing).

:stickout:

are you an english teacher? :)

Originally posted by Rackmounts
are you an english teacher? :)

ha ha no, but perhaps I should be :D

Does it pay more than being a reseller? :)

5.1 for his average grade is correct. 6th form colleges in general require a 5.0 for them to accept you so he only JUST made it on his B. If you want a comparison, my results were:

A 2
B 5
C 3

which averages to 5.9, I spend lots and lots of time on my computer (although I don't run a business, hey im only 16... oh wait) and did little to no work for my GCSEs. May I ask, what subjects did you take and what did you get your B in? I got my As in English Language and Maths and I am taking Maths, Pure Maths, Physics and History for A Level. No offense or anything, but a 16 hour course at college each week may give you time to do extra work for your business but as far as qualifications go, it wont land you that 50k a year job when you are older. You were probably much better off staying in full time education. A college course that is 16 hours a week, whatever its on (no doubt it's some clown subject like ICT or Computing - LOOK I RUN DATABASE I AM CLEVER HEHAHEAHEA) isn't going to get you a worthwhile course at university. Personally I think you have been stupid organising your education around your business. I wouldn't trust someone with your results with my hosting, especially if you didn't get a B+ in maths, science etc (I learnt my whole course basically by coding PHP - for maths - because my teachers were ****e, any person that has their own hosting company with an A in maths should give up, I think)

You, sir, need to be in school. "You" and "you're" are two different words. To answer your follow up, I'm 24 years old and absolutely fed up with the grammar on this site (and the irony of your post).

So I'm sure that we could read all of your previous posts and not find 1 mistake? You do realize that English is widely considered the hardest language to use? Granted, there was some irony in the sentence, but don't pretend you're perfect.

Now, back to the topic. I don't think a single person under the age of 18 should start any type of business. I consider any parent supporting a teenager running a company, probably doesn't have a clue. That being said, I think there are just as many people above the age of 18, that shouldn't be tieing their own shoes... yet they own hosting companies. I think this industry is already saturated enough with kids that have no morals, and adults that have no brains, so why add to it?
Stay in school, enjoy your time, find a girlfriend, do the stuff that kids do. When you are older and wiser, then make the decision, but no teenager is old enough to make a life-changing decision that they can't just say "I'm done" to.

so I guess since I act like a teenager, I should not be in business. I am happy though, now that my son has turned 18 I probably must have a clue. In the past I have entered into contracts with kids to do everything from wash my vehicles to to doing site design work. Enjoying your time, finding a girlfriend and doing the stuff kids do all require money. I will say for those that insist on being young business types. Honesty is essential, if you can fake that - you are well on your way.(joke) and hey comphosting what letter and number are those? I think they are both exclamation marks, but I am wrong alot.

Originally posted by comphosting
[QUOTE=ChrisF79]You, sir, need to be in school. "You" and "you're" are two different words. To answer your follow up, I'm 24 years old and absolutely fed up with the grammar on this site (and the irony of your post).
So I'm sure that we could read all of your previous posts and not find 1 mistake? You do realize that English is widely considered the hardest language to use? Granted, there was some irony in the sentence, but don't pretend you're perfect.




Every time someone points out a grammar error, someone just HAS to come along with some idiocy like this. It's ridiculous. The comment was perfectly placed. Here's someone saying 'stay in school', yet they make the kind of grammar errors normally associated with a 6 year old.

The person who pointed it out never claimed to be perfect, so hop on down off your high horse and go find yourself a more worthy cause to take up.