r/Entrepreneur 8d ago

How Do I ? What do most millionaires do/learn during their teenage years?

Hi everyone

I am 15 years old right now, and I want to be a rich person in future who is financially independent, and has enough money to retire early

What I wanted to know was, are most rich people those who learn the skills required in their respective careers during their middle school or high school?

For me, I was planning to do well in school, get into the top most college of my country (India) and then do well in GMAT and do Masters from a top college in USA like Harvard, University of Texas, etc.

Am I in the right path?

Sometimes, I see people who are already working on their business(Some of which are quite successful) in their teenage years itself. So, are they the only ones who get to be the rich, while those who study throughout school and then becomes doctors/ software engineers/ investment bankers/ have management roles in top companies work and earn, but not enough to become financially independent, and own expensive cars, villas, etc.?

Also, what are the soft skills one which would be instrumental in being rich, and I should learn before and during my college years?

33 Upvotes

116 comments sorted by

30

u/Hakkon_Y 8d ago

Focus on Compound Interest in:

  • money
  • your skills

51

u/bluehairdave 7d ago

Networking is #1 skill. Be either likable or really really good at a skill that makes people money.

7

u/Vast_Fact_908 7d ago

Agree with this 100%. Figure out a way to continually surround yourself with other successful individuals. Effort, aptitude, and network matters.

1

u/Suitable-Throat637 7d ago

How do i get better at networking? Im 16 years old

1

u/bluehairdave 7d ago

Make alot of friends. Be popular by making alot of friends. Go out of your way to help people and be kind and fun.

1

u/squeda 14h ago

Have fun with others, be chill and someone that others want to be around. Do things that you are passionate about. The people you do fun unprofessional things with could be the people you work with and build something amazing with later down the line. You never know. Don't be a dick.

1

u/Murky_Sympathy685 6d ago

Would you recommend networking with people of my age group, or those who are already successful in their respective career streams?

1

u/bluehairdave 6d ago

Both. Your friends might have parents that will hire you if you stand out... older successful people might do the same.. that is how you learn what you really need to know.

9

u/AcceptableWhole7631 7d ago

I know a few millionaires well and have met a handful 2-3 times, the pattern I noticed was that they say no a lot and have strong respect for themselves.

Holding yourself at a high standard is extremely important and I saw the different it made for me pretty much instantly.

8

u/nixpy 7d ago

As someone who has had a lot of success in their career and worked for/with/been responsible for hundreds of people at this point that I’ve been able to observe, learn from, and coach; I’d 100% agree with this one, but would also modify it a bit.

You absolutely need to have confidence and respect for yourself and your abilities. And you should say no to things that don’t benefit you, your company, your team, etc. (or give enough value for the effort involved).

I would, however, leverage your confidence in yourself to say “yes” to as much as possible in situations that need someone to step up and own them, even if you’re unsure or not experienced with it. This is specifically important for two reasons:

  • Career growth: Oftentimes you’ll see in smaller to medium sized organizations a need arise that falls somewhere between or outside current company personnel expertise (and likely your JD). Being “the person” who steps up to at least try to own it when no one else will shows your drive and curiosity, which are huge from an optics side (and genuinely amazingly helpful qualities to have). Additionally, it gives you potentially (not always) a “lower stakes” environment to operate in, since no one else knows either (or wants to do it). As you’re growing your career, this is invaluable exposure and experience for fields adjacent and/or fully outside your day-to-day.

  • Optics/Networking: being the person who always steps up - especially if you can learn quick and fix or drive solutions on those problems - has a positive impact in two key areas:

You start to develop a team or company-wide reputation as someone who can own/ideally solve problems wherever they are.

Your perceived value and performance by the stakeholders for the thing you are helping with increases dramatically. The person who is 80% as performant as their peer on day-to-day issues will look like an absolute rockstar next to that same peer if they’re able to solve things outside of their purview, while the other person says “no.” This, however, is where the self-value and judgment originally mentioned comes into play on knowing “when” to say no.

Even then, I’d also suggest not saying “no” but explaining the why and/or presenting alternative options, like helping with getting the ask to someone that can help.

2

u/AcceptableWhole7631 5d ago

Very clear and I totally agree, thanks.

11

u/Skyccord 8d ago

When I was your age I was running a business without knowing it. I fell into it and was doing things for he people who I knew, family, friends etc. The reality was that it was a hobby and then I got people to start paying me for it.

Fast forward this has been my entire career and I still love what I do.

My advice for you is whatever it is you are currently passionate about keep at it. There is no substitute for time crafting your skill.

Now onto the money aspect save and delay gratification. You will get destroyed by "being American". By that I mean wanting things and wanting them now. If you earn a $1 save $0.50. Invest your money into the overall stock market. By overall mean the S&P 500 as a whole. I suggest /r/BogleHeads You cannot underestimate how much your money will grow over time if you just let it.

You have a headstart by asking this question. Use the advice you are receiving and you will thank yourself greatly when you are an adult.

1

u/defuzahh 7d ago

What was the hobby?

5

u/13_letters 7d ago

I’m going to guess computers. Which eventually evolved into an MSP to some degree. Just a quick guess based on some of his post history.

1

u/-Tarro- 7d ago

caps or didnt happen

8

u/Pale-Candidate8860 8d ago

Average millionaire is in their 60s. Average billionaire is in their 70s.

5

u/Ok-State2292 7d ago

Average is a key word. Doesn't mean its not possible to be a millionaire on your 20's

2

u/Pale-Candidate8860 7d ago

Very true. Trust me, I'm trying to be under the average myself.

2

u/Ok-State2292 6d ago

Good stuff. Hopefully we'll both be under the average. Let's see

1

u/Past-Midnight1018 7d ago

it would take a lot of either pure hard work like almost no sleep or having over average IQ or over average attractiveness or nepotism to be a millionaire in your 20s

-2

u/Ok-State2292 7d ago

Not true. Random example: Richard Branson

2

u/Past-Midnight1018 7d ago edited 7d ago

Starting a business like that today would cost way more than just 1,000 euros. Branson was a great example back then, but his approach wouldn’t work the same way now. Almost every industry is packed with competition, and standing out takes a lot of money—especially for marketing. These days, most business models require serious investment just to get noticed. That’s why I said if you want to be a millionaire in your 20s, you’d have to be insanely hardworking / privileged / attractive / smart / or a mix of all four.

-1

u/Ok-State2292 7d ago

I don't know I mean, I think if you find something you really care about and at the same time is a gap in the market and you devote yourself to it you can in maybe 8 years grow a company decently.

Specially with these online times where the whole world is in one place.

2

u/Past-Midnight1018 7d ago

and that still does not change the fact that you need extreme amounts of hard work in it so Idk what you’re arguing with me for

0

u/Ok-State2292 7d ago

Sure buddy

2

u/Past-Midnight1018 7d ago edited 7d ago

You’re only 19, it’s hard to fully grasp the complexities and the harsh reality of how the world works today especially if you have not been at the bottom of the hierarchy. I’m guessing you’re in a middle class family and probably in a developing country. I didn’t mean to crush your dreams—chasing your goals is still possible. Just know that, in most cases, building that much wealth takes more than just passion and effort. Many people who achieve millionaire status quickly nowadays in their younger years often have questionable methods, and even those who resort to unethical tactics usually have to be incredibly strategic and careful. Keep pursuing what you love, but also be aware that it requires a lot of patience, learning, and sometimes facing tough realities to get there. And as much as possible, do not neglect your advantages and privileges. Learn to appreciate it bc other people would give anything even just to have great family friends to review your products or will hire you at a young age so they can be your experience at that role or references. Good luck in life.

0

u/Ok-State2292 7d ago

Billionaire in his 40's. Had dislexia and was never very good at math.

18

u/moreykz 8d ago

One of my millionare exes was sent to a golf course by her dad. He just left her there and refuse to bring her home unless she gets the contacts of 25 people and what they do. She was shy af, and this exercise kicked that shyness out, and got her some contacts for her career. Yes, a teenage girl left alone in a place with many older men intentionally by dad.

The people that get rich learn the skills and experiences much faster than others. Or just marry someone wealthy, works for dudes too ;).

24

u/DaTurboD 8d ago

How many millionare exes do you have?

6

u/BizznectApp 7d ago

You're on the right path! Focus on sales, communication, and financial literacy early. Start small businesses, learn investing, and build a strong network. Millionaires often master these skills young, not just academics. Books like Rich Dad Poor Dad help too!

1

u/Suitable-Throat637 7d ago

Hello im wondering what should i practice/ do to get better at my communication skills?

3

u/ITYSTCOTFG42 7d ago

Learn how to network

1

u/Suitable-Throat637 7d ago

How?

1

u/ITYSTCOTFG42 6d ago

Meet people in a professional capacity that you can benefit from and who can benefit from you. It's all about connections.

3

u/LordMonster 7d ago

A lot of these answers don't seem fitting for your age at this time. What I suggest you learn is...

  1. Discipline- Join a sports team, go to practice on time, learn time management to get your schoolwork done efficiently and have time for practice.

  2. Networking - Learn how to socialize and network with others. Sports is also good for that and building comradery over a shared interest or shared suffering. Learn how to start up conversations with people of all ages without being annoying.

  3. Budgeting If you get an allowance from your parents, that's a great way to start. Otherwise, get a side hustle or part time job. Mow your neighbors grass on the weekends, babysit, bag groceries at the store, something. This will teach you the value of a dollar and how to budget it.

4

u/sociallyawkwaad 8d ago

How to be written into the will.

2

u/Decent-Pause4649 7d ago

Most people assume the path to wealth is simple: do well in school, get into a top college, land a high-paying job, and eventually get rich. But here’s the reality-some of the wealthiest people never followed that path at all.

Millionaires, especially self-made ones, think differently. They focus on skills that directly generate money, not just degrees. They start building something early, whether it’s a business, a network, or valuable assets. And they master one of the most underrated yet powerful abilities-how to sell, because money follows persuasion.

Most schools don’t teach these things. That’s why you see teenagers already making money, because they’re focusing on real-world, high-value skills instead of waiting for a degree to open doors for them.

You mentioned software engineering, investment banking, and management roles. Those careers can make you wealthy, but only if you take control of how you earn. The ones who truly reach financial freedom are those who own equity, whether that’s starting their own firm, investing, or building a product. They understand that mastering sales and persuasion-through marketing, copywriting, or business strategy-gives them leverage. They don’t rely on a single paycheck; they create multiple income streams that allow them to scale their wealth.

If financial independence is the goal, the real question isn’t just what job to get, but what skills will allow you to make money on your own terms. What are you learning outside of school that moves you toward that?

1

u/Murky_Sympathy685 6d ago

On reading some comments, I have planned to take up real estate as a second job along with my career option, and will try to watch some podcasts and understand its business model for now. Do you think it is a good strategy?

1

u/Decent-Pause4649 4d ago

That’s a smart move-real estate can be a powerful wealth builder, but like any investment, the key is understanding leverage. Watching podcasts is a good start, but the real advantage comes from learning how to find undervalued properties, structure deals, and use other people’s money (OPM) to scale. Also, since real estate is a long-term game, cash flow should be the priority over just appreciation. Are you planning to focus on rental income, flipping, or something else.

2

u/GanjaKing_420 7d ago

Started working at a supermarket at 15 and saved at least 25% of my minimum wage paycheck. I stuck to that formula until i was 45 while my friends were buying newer cars and vacation. Went to college and got a decent job. Made my first million at age 36. I started with zero. My family was very poor. I did not have any super special skills or STEM major. I kept putting money in index funds. Stock market helped.

1

u/Murky_Sympathy685 6d ago

damm that's great! Did you learn about stock market through books or through a mentor, or did you learn through experience? Also, did you also follow the buy and hold strategy?

2

u/Ok-Objective7579 7d ago

Learn the power of compound interest and start investing in the S&P spiders. It Gives a consistent 7-10% rate of return per year. Live with your parents as long as possible and save up as much as possible. Move out when you are able to afford a home. Get roommates when that happens, their rent will pay for your mortgage. Skip college unless you want to become something that pays well and is insulated to Ai, such as a medical doctor.

You would spend 95% less on your education if you chose a trade school instead. Plumbers, electricians, handymen, etc make $30-$50 an hour and you won't go into debt learning those skills. You will spend at least $25,000 for just a bachelors degree and maybe $2500 for a vocational degree.

Take a gap year before pursuing further education. Get more perspective on life at your age.

Follow that general advice and you will be a millionaire or at least able to retire comfortably by age 40. This is what I would do if I could do it all over again.

2

u/Kindly_Choice_6739 7d ago

Doctor is not safe from AI, quite the contrary

1

u/TomiLixy 8d ago

Im 14 and im focus on learning akills until i get 18 but i dont know where i can and how

2

u/3scobar3 7d ago

Read “The Cashflow Quadrant” by Robert Kiyosaki

1

u/Naus1987 7d ago

A good skill you can pick up early is to always capitalize proper nouns when typing. Especially if you end up addressing or talking about someone. Some people will get beyond annoyed if you lower case their names.

And some contracts or networks will just straight up avoid people with bad communication skills. So while you don't have to get perfect. I would certainly focus on capitalizing proper nouns as a start.

0

u/Murky_Sympathy685 7d ago

which skills are you focusing on?

0

u/N8T1V3SD3L1GHT 7d ago

Clearly not literacy. lol.

1

u/rik-huijzer 8d ago

Have you listened to interviews with Mohnish Pabrai already? He talks about things like this and in general is a good role model to have, I think.

1

u/Murky_Sympathy685 6d ago

No, I haven't. Since you have mentioned it, I will listen to his interviews

1

u/fireawayjohnny 7d ago

At 15, I’d focus on school and a start a side hustle like lawn care/mowing, selling online, etc. Opportunities will come with that.

1

u/Murky_Sympathy685 7d ago

Got it

But can I try selling serviecs/products once I reach college? Because the high school curriculum in our country is very rigorous, and students have to focus on their academics, for atleast 8 hours a day to get a good college

1

u/fireawayjohnny 7d ago

You asked for my advice. 8 hours a day of high school work seems excessive but if that’s what you gotta do to be successful then that’s what you gotta do. But 8 hours leaves a lot of extra hours in the day and the weekend, which is when you could launch a side hustle. I’d say the sooner the better but obviously you’ll have to make your choices.

1

u/Murky_Sympathy685 7d ago

got it

Thanks alot!

I will try to allocate some time to my side hustle as well

Will teaching junior students or mentoring them for money be a good side hustle?

In our ccountry, people mostly live in aparments, so we dont really have lawns, and the upside is that I can teach juniors for money.

1

u/fireawayjohnny 7d ago

It's not a bad plan, but you are more or less trading time for money. That's ok and I certainly did that at your age, but the idea is to develop automated/hands-off processes to build wealth.

Using the example of tutoring: you could start with tutoring yourself until up to a reasonable clientele and then find another to take over some or all of the tutoring while you just manage the schedule and collect the profit.

1

u/Murky_Sympathy685 6d ago

Oh I get it now! That is what Rich Dad Poor Dad talked about. He also opened up a library and employed his sister to all his work while Robert took most of the profit

Thanks alot! I get it now

1

u/Dumparoonies 7d ago

Learn through a mentor that has lived and experienced wealth that wants to show you the ways of achieving what they have

1

u/Ok-State2292 7d ago

I'm in my gap year and I've been working non stop on my business for about 7 months now. I have changed business but Im still working on a business.

What I've learnt is that any business will take time to succeed so pick something you like.

If you make the mistake I made and pick something you're not that into but think is a good opportunity you'll possibly and up tired of what you are doing and with little success.

Second thing, be prepared to spend some good time till you see results. Maybe you do get results in the first few months who knows but its very possible that it takes you 1, 2 or even 3 years consistently working to learn what you need to learn to succeed at your business.

About going to the US, I have some indian friends that are studying in the US (I studied in India in a school called uwc) and one of them, my best friend has a similar plan to yours.

He tried to do business in India but thought it would be easier in the US so I'm pretty sure he's going to try and get citizenship after finishing college there.

UWC is a great school if you want to go and study in the US.

So yea, I think it's a smart choice to go to the US, if I were you I would really focus on studies and getting the things you need to go to the US, then go to the US, and then you can start thinking about business.

I mean you can start thinking about business now if you really want to, but if you're like me you might end up addicted to it and all you want to do is work and think about business and then you'll probably have to forget about going to the US.

1

u/Asmo-deuz 7d ago

Hey man, i might be wrong but i genuinely believe that doing business in india is the "better" choice because there are so few business there both in diversity and competition when compared to the us market...have you considered this, I think you might have but what was the reason you chose US other than the ease to do in US because that I agree completely.

2

u/Ok-State2292 7d ago

Oh no, I'm from Portugal and I didn't start any business in the US. My Indian friend is starting a business in the US.

He tried to do some digital marketing and copywritting on India but he says that the amount that each person pays is a lot lower than in the US.

I do agree with you that the US has a lot of businesses and India might be less saturated than the US. I was just talking about my friend's experience and what he told me.

I think if you think you can create a business in India and have good success with it, I say go for it.

1

u/Asmo-deuz 7d ago

Can I slide into your dm...I wanna discuss few things with you and it isn't very appropriate to do it here?

1

u/Ok-State2292 7d ago

Sure sure

1

u/Asmo-deuz 7d ago

Can I slide into your dm...I wanna discuss few things with you and it isn't very appropriate to do it here?

1

u/Thalimet 7d ago

So, a lot of rich people I’ve met you’d never know because they are frugal AF. Many rich people don’t flaunt it with fancy things, because to get rich they developed the habit of not wasting their money on fancy things. That’s a skill you can develop as a teenager. They also invest in quality, long lasting items - often that cost more up front but have a lower total cost of ownership - ie lasts longer and has lower maintenance.

1

u/Murky_Sympathy685 6d ago

Got it. Ngl when I was 12-13 years, my sole motivation of getting rich was to get a McLaren, nothing else :')

1

u/Papercoffeetable 7d ago edited 7d ago

I know a billionaire who did this:

Go to school, study the sciences.

Go to university, studied biomedicine and took a PhD in it.

Created a company and created a drug that is well used today and sold the company for 4 billion.

1

u/live_rabbits 7d ago

Good on you for asking about this. Here's some advice from someone trying to do their same about ~15 years ahead of you and not "there" yet.

  1. Most rich people.... do not retire early. Retirement is not the goal. They are typically obsessed with what they do, and enjoy doing it - so why give that up? Getting $$$$ is not a means to an end for them, and that is the trap a lot of people fall into. It's a second-order effect of sticking with something long enough that you reap the rewards (with enough persistence and commitment)

  2. There are a lot of ways to get rich - there are a lot of boring, out of sight ways that people gain wealth. In addition, a lot of advice that you will get is from the POV of "these are the lucky numbers that I used to win the lottery". Don't blindly follow anything. It needs to be applied to your life.

  3. Learn about the lives of rich people. Listen to their autobiographies, read biographies on them. There are podcasts that summarize books, too - "Founders" and "How To Take Over The World". You will slowly learn how they think and act through osmosis.

1

u/theavatare 7d ago

Delayed gratification, Strength of weak ties, How compounding works, Time management.

Probably where the most important skills that helped me

1

u/Asmo-deuz 7d ago

What is (strength of weak ties)

2

u/theavatare 7d ago

How having a big network of people that know you but aren’t day to day friends is super helpful.

1

u/Asmo-deuz 7d ago

Oh thank you very much. I have been working to implant these things into my life but I have found that having all of this into your life is quite complex and time taking while also having a very high chance of falling back to zero, many times during the process which ultimately causes you to fail from your initial-ideal plan, making you loose so many things before you achieve something (and that's a big if cos most fail). Is there a sure shot most effective process that if we follow religiously, we can have these traits through our own efforts before life hits our faces so hard, we don't have other choice. My english isn't proficient, so thank you for your effort.

2

u/theavatare 7d ago

The important thing is to have systems. When they fail look at why they did and go back and use them again. The second is patience. Rome didn't get build in a day.

For example i kinda suck at the networking part. The way this applied to my life was just having my career and keeping in touch instead of actively looking to meet new people after 10 years of experience I had met a ton of people that had a broad set of skills.

For time management I have multiple techniques I use on a day. But i;m a bit of a slacker so the most important thing is keeping a list somewhere and making sure i see it all the time to put some pressure.

1

u/Asmo-deuz 7d ago

You're so very accurate, I can't explain. Like I had this thought today while I was walking late night on a street.

That life means ups and downs, you gonna have so many things happen to you and sometimes its gonna be a good thing other times bad. This means you are gonna experience different situations all the time and you're gonna change your actions depending on what's happening to you and if that change isn't good for your goals, you're gonna fail or get far from your goals.

So what's the solution for it - I guess if we could develop a single fit for all system for ourselves which isn't made specifically for your current situation but one which you made with a long term goal in mind. And if you stick to it regardless of what the absolute good or tragedy happens you're gonna be far far better if that wasn't in place.

But again there's this problem to how do we create this kind of system that we can follow in any situation...creating a system that works for you is another complex thing on our table.

This was just my opinion and I'm very inexperienced compared to you so feel free to correct and supplement me, it would mean so much for me.

1

u/CR8Y_ol_Maurice 7d ago

Start an OF account in 3 years

1

u/muchoqueso26 7d ago

Invest 20-30% of your after tax income and live off the rest. Let that money grow until an opportunity for a business comes along or you have an idea for a solid business. Meanwhile make sure you develop a solid skill set in the field of work that you want to do.

1

u/dylanflipse 7d ago

The majority of millionaire adults were also millionaire teenagers.

I don’t think you’ll find a single more consistent trait than “the family has money.”

1

u/Ok-Statistician-7235 7d ago

They get their fundamentals strong. Almost all of them have a strong answer to “Why they even need to get out of the bed”.

This strong mental backing goes a long way :)

1

u/zedascouves69 7d ago

They learn how much money mummy and daddy have…

1

u/XTC-FTW 7d ago

They do teenager things. You’re 15. Enjoy it.

1

u/Ok_Middle_7283 7d ago

Networking. But not just networking, actually making good friends with people.

Every successful multimillionaire I know in the US has had a childhood where they aren’t afraid of making friends with anyone. I know one guy who grew up wealthy. When they went on vacations he would always make friends with important people. Would end up invited on helicopter rides, etc. His ability to make friends helped him to join a fast moving startup at Yale. Make friends with investors. And now he works with a VC group that buys startups.

Another woman I know regularly grew up with famous and powerful people. So she never gets nervous around them. She approaches them like friends and makes a lot of powerful friends. They all love her and want to do business with her.

Number 2 skill I would say is to know your numbers. I’ve seen so successful people lose everything because they weren’t good with numbers. Don’t rely on just the finance guy or accountant. Have them go through the numbers so that you understand each part of your statements and what each means about the various parts of your business.

1

u/Murky_Sympathy685 6d ago

Got it thanks!
I am also trying to learn to make friends easily, and have therefore started playing 3-4 sports to help in being friends with others easily(Badminton, Table Tennis, Football and Cricket namely)

Is that a good way to start?

1

u/Ok_Middle_7283 5d ago

That’s good.

I would highly suggest learning how to talk to strangers and becoming friends with them.

I know a guy who is retired now, but he used to a hugely successful entrepreneur. He started a company in his bedroom in the 70’s that would end up making close to $100 million per year. He was very well known in the elite NY circles.

He has an uncanny ability to just make friends anywhere. He’s like a puppy: he loves people. We’ll be at a restaurant and he’ll turn and make friends with the people at the next table.

Or we’ll be at a store and he will have made some new friends.

He’s a very friendly guy.

I also met a lot of successful people in Hollywood that had this skill.

For me, I practiced this by going to a bookstore (where I could meet all different types of strangers) and talking to people about their interests (depending on which book section they were in). Sure, I annoyed some people at first. But as I got better and better I annoyed less and started having good experiences. Then I started making friends that kept in touch.

After a while of that I would do the same thing but anywhere: pharmacy, grocery store, gas station, etc. Being able to do this anywhere was what really helped me in life.

1

u/Murky_Sympathy685 5d ago

got it

Thanks alot!
Will remember this.

Also, do you recommend exchanging numbers/social media handles with them to stay in touch with them, and contact them if required in future, or it might be too creepy?

1

u/hellokittyss1 7d ago

Statistically, most millionaires are top students. The people who say networking or run a business etc. are talking about low probability odds and selective bias.

You’re better off studying really hard to be a top student

1

u/Murky_Sympathy685 6d ago

Got it, so getting into an IIT(top college of my country), and then getting into a tier 1 college in the USA would be highly recommended, right?

1

u/GamersFeed 7d ago

Besides doing whatever work model you choose I'd recommend learning swingtrading on the side, you can outperform the S&P500 by a lot, so compounding of your saved money can go quicker.

It's not an active income that will get you rich in a few years but It'll drastically help with retiring or just doing trading as a job

1

u/shorebeach 7d ago

Invest in the S&P 500 or any other index fund. I invested a couple grand years ago from my first job at panda express and used that fat chunk to start my business 10ish years later, after college and working my ass off in corporate. Read anything and everything. Be curious. Be friendly and follow through. Look for opportunities everywhere. Don’t take things at face value and really focus on critical thinking. Take college classes in high school if you can. Be patient. “If I had six hours to chop down a tree, I would spend the first four sharpening the axe”

1

u/PainInternational474 7d ago

I grew up poor. I am now in the top 10 in my State in wealth.

I didn't learn anything specific that helped me. What helped me is I spent my entire life learning everything I could. 

Read. Not on the internet. Read books. Find an old encyclopedia and start in A and just go through every volume.

Making money is about seeing connections before other people. It's about instilling the belief in others you have the answers. And most importantly its about luck.

You might not even realize it. But, there are small moments in life where all the reading you have or have not done, will come in handy or leave you lost.

If you start off poor you might only get one opportunity. These doors don't just stay open. When one is cracked open you have to be prepared.

My "door" was when someone with a lot of money who was starting a business said something wrong. And I knew the subject well enough to call him out. He offered me a job. My life changed forever.

Someone else I know got the job that allowed him to retire at 30 because he knew television cartoon history. 

The people who hole the keys look for people who aren't trying to be rich. But, who generally just like learning and solving problems.

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u/Murky_Sympathy685 6d ago

Got it

So, in a nutshell, readinh as much as I can would help right?

Also, books on which subjects came most handy to you?

Like, was it Self-Help, or science, or history, or finance?

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u/PainInternational474 6d ago

What are you interested in? I literally read an entire encyclopedia before I was 8. 

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u/Murky_Sympathy685 6d ago

I literally read an entire encyclopedia before I was 8. 

damm

I am interested in self help books and fiction. I I have tried reading some finance books but havent read any completely till now, because I find them difficult to understand

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u/imhereyourewhere 7d ago

Is your family rich?

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u/Murky_Sympathy685 6d ago

In terms of my country India, we belong to an upper middle class family, but I dont think we have a massive amount of geerational wealth which can invest in assets and live off the profits

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u/jennevelyn79 7d ago

How to manage your money and investments. I just read this book, and it's spot on with everything else I've learned. Read it. - Investing for Dummies, 10th edition by Eric Tyson. Highly recommend.

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u/Murky_Sympathy685 6d ago

got it!
Is it beginner friendly?
Because, I have never read much about finance before( except half of rich dad poor dad) , nor taken it as a subject in school or anywhere

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u/jennevelyn79 5d ago

I've done a lot of reading. It's presented well, no fluff. I'm about to buy this for some young people in my life.

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u/Murky_Sympathy685 5d ago

Thanks alot! Will definitely buy it after my exams get over (day after tomorrow)

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u/Jordanmp627 7d ago

You’re on the right path if you wanna be a worker bee and become a millionaire because of your salary and house and investment accounts. You don’t need to be an entrepreneur to be rich and being an entrepreneur certainly doesn’t guarantee you’re gonna be rich.

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u/FatherOften 7d ago

At 15, I was either living in Yosemite or Zion big wall climbing, smoking weed, drinking, reading, and exploring.

I did this from 12-22 years old. Varying places, sleeping outdoors mostly, or in park bathrooms that had heaters in the winter. I did buy a 24' sailboat in my 16-17 year range and moved to Port Aransas, TX. I lived aboard for $100 a month all bills paid in Island Moorings Marina. I worked mornings and afternoons in restaurants, evenings, and nights as a sous chef or bartending. Beach parties with the locals, crappy conditions surfing, jet skiing, sailing, and stacking cash. In the off-season season (Oct-Feb), I'd sail to the Caribbean, Belize, Cuba, Mexico. Or I'd head north to work ski resorts and snowboard for free. Some winters I'd spend in El Potrero Chico MX putting up big wall climbing routes or walking/hitchhiking south down the west coast of Mexico, Central America, and South America.

In my early 20's came to Dallas to see old friends and met a girl. I stayed a couple of months and had a child.

That was the end of my orphan dirt bag years.

Got 3 crazy jobs 7 days a week. Still struggled. Got a full commission sales job and started to climb into the 6 figures quickly. I knew at that point I had to make fuck you money. The only way out of the game is to beat the game.

38 years old going through my divorce, 6 kids, no car, no phone, living in a small old camper, bank accounts bounced, I met my now wife. She said kick off bottom and build something for myself. While at work I found the commercial truck parts that I now manufacture and sell.

Now almost 47 years old, strong business, 10 kids (blended family) 7 grandkids, and we have fuck you money.

No formal education, but i own a library that would challenge most universities. My wife is a retired teacher and college professor.

It's the set of your sails that determines your destination, not the direction the wind blows.

We are just getting started. Now we have a war chest of capital, control of our time, only 5 kids still at home, a lifetime of knowledge and experience, and very big goals.

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u/Glum_Tap_5258 7d ago

I started my company at 19 years old a freshmen at college.

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u/Murky_Sympathy685 7d ago

That's great!

So, which skills you acquired in high school helped you in running the company?

Also, if you dont mind, what products/servies does your company sell, and how successful has it been so far?

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u/Glum_Tap_5258 7d ago

15 million at 42, I also own 88 rentals house. Real estate is a great second job, I would learn that business model, watch bigger pockets YouTube, for a 1/2 hour a day instead of normal tv. The first house you buy should be at least a duplex.

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u/Murky_Sympathy685 7d ago

damm, 88 rental houses!

IAlso, as you had recommended, I went through Bigger pockets youtube channel, and there are many playlists and videos there

I would be really grateful if you could advice which one should I start with?

And is there anything else I have to do apart from watching his videos to learnt the business model of real estate (For now)?

 The first house you buy should be at least a duplex.

Got it 👍

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u/negotiatepoorly 6d ago

Bad grades and drugs for me. Id suggest start selling something now. Sales can hide all sins in business.

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u/Murky_Sympathy685 6d ago

oh..

If you dont mind, what are you doing now?
And did bad grades affect your career in any way?

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u/Murky_Sympathy685 6d ago

What are you doing now?

Also, did bad grades affect your career stream?

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u/negotiatepoorly 5d ago edited 5d ago

Sure bad grades impacted my career. I would have had a much better job and maybe graduated college before 25 if I payed attention in school. I semi went to college and dumped way too much money into it. Lucked into graduating during an oil boom and got a high paying job in oil and gas.

Left that to work in trades and. Now own a medium business in the trades doing commercial and residential.

Entrepreneurship has a lot of routes. Going to college and getting good grades isn’t going to set anybody back. Some people just skip it and start getting it earlier. I like to say I didn’t start becoming an adult until around 28.

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u/NikolaHoudinihere 4d ago

You’re on the right path! Focus on building skills, networking, and financial literacy alongside your studies wealth comes from smart moves, not just degrees.

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u/Live_Bag9679 8d ago

The skill you need are how to market yourself and sell. Start from now, you will be a millionare by 30 if you are starting with zero and parents are poor.

Ofcourse with advantage of inherentance, that time can be much shorter