Inc.com recently compiled a list of who they believe are the top 30 entrepreneurs under the age of 30. They note that “Generation Y” is by “the most entrepreneurial in history” and this is largely thanks to “how new technologies, a proliferation of resources, and a disenchantment with the corporate world.” Personally, I think that it’s the Internet that has opened up these sort of options to younger people, myself included, because without the instant and easy access of the world wide web, I couldn’t have ever started my freelance writing business.
I may not be one of the top 30 most successful entrepreneurs under the age of 30, but here are three guys that have managed to make it for themselves, escaping the confines of working for someone else. It just goes to show you that with a good idea and a healthy level of determination, anyone — young or old — can be super successful running their own business.
Dubbed The Innovator, 20-year-old Ben Kaufman is the founder of Mophie, a company that makes iPod accessories. Doesn’t sound all that innovative, right? So, what is it that makes Ben so successful? It’s because he allows his customers to design their own accessories, ranging from headphone splitters and FM transmitters to remote controls and protective cases. He plans to revolutionize the way consumer products are developed.
Sean Belnick developed the entrepreneurial spirit very early on, selling office chairs online at the young age of 14. He started with just $500 to his name, creating a Yahoo store account to power his direct-shipping company. Today, Sean runs his own $24 million furniture company (BizChair.com), providing furnishings to such huge clients as Microsoft, Google, and the Pentagon.
Sam Altman got in on the social networking and he has never looked back. Altman took the concept behind social networking and brought it into the real world. He developed “Loopt”, a social mapping service that allows friends to quickly and easily answer the most common question sent via cell phone text messages: “Where are you?”
What will be your idea? Will you make next year’s list of top entrepreneurs?
Derek
July 31, 2007 3:02 pm
I think you are right that the Interweb has opened so many doors for people of all ages that did not exist in previous generations.
I think it would be interesting to see a list of the top senior entrepreneurs. I know my grandparents haven’t embraced technology as none of them even have a computer but I am sure there are some seniors that have used technology to their advantage.
Christian
August 1, 2007 4:05 am
This 70 something embraced it :)
http://www.youtube.com/user/geriatric1927
His page
http://www.askgeriatric.com/
And yes the internet opened up a new world for anyone to start any kind of business.
Best part is the rent is alot cheaper for a website then it is for a studio/office. Specially if your with BlueFur. ;)
Derek
August 2, 2007 12:31 pm
Christian, thanks for passing that along. This is exactly what I was hoping to see.
cooliojones
August 3, 2007 4:08 pm
The internet has made more millionaires than any one business alone. We should all send a thank you card to Al Gore! :)
I do want to be on that list for next year. I will be the only self-proclaimed ‘hustler’ on there!
In The Sphere: Entrepreneurial Edition | BlueFur.com
August 24, 2007 11:40 am
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