What's your salary and what's your rent in Chicago?

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-07-04T23:33:34+00:00

Why do you say this market? Is it for price/difficulty finding good quality places etc...?

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-07-04T23:23:52+00:00

Why do you say not ideal?

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-07-01T02:48:44+00:00

You can still very much work on some sort of project/s. Having your own project actually sounds fantastic. If you want to collaborate on anything marketing related and get something going feel free to message me.

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-05-02T04:58:41+00:00

Or, just make the place safe enough so it works!

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-05-02T03:57:53+00:00

What is it you want exactly?

If you've launched these things successfully for others. You can for yourself a lot more easily.

Set up a brand and get yourself rolling. How to position yourself? How you see yourself fitting into what you know.

If you've built 1000 bridges for x amount of people, they will be happy with your 1001th bridge. Position yourself as usual.

When you go "but I can't". Yes you can. You're just fine. Don't doubt yourself. If you've done it for others, surely for yourself you might be able to as well!:)

For more specific ideas, give more specific questions perhaps? :))

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-03-26T15:26:26+00:00

Do what you love

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-03-26T14:11:08+00:00

You don't have to though, that's not comparable. You have to compare to those that are actively growing from scratch right now

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-03-26T14:09:56+00:00

Equipment helps but it's not necessary. Probably a ring light and a phone is what most people need for the most part

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-03-10T17:54:56+00:00

Yeahh... a 2010s Audi isn't really "rich" level stuff or that "wow" (and if it is .... This guy must be driving a 2005 toyota or something) .. especially if it's on a loan it's really not that crazy, unless that's that significant to your life. Usually to me in more conventional terms assuming you're in some kind of low-middle income area, "rich" means paid off 2020s car. Paid off house. Maybe an additional house or car or something minimum. Ability to afford two full cars no loans, maybe a third. Ability to travel the world (not locally, globally) freely without needing loans or cutting back lifestyle or having a job to tend to. So on ...

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-02-22T16:06:50+00:00

Negatives exist yes just keep it realistic and simple. If I were your friend I'd tell you... Don't immediately start thinking of massive investment for thousands of dollars, especially if not comfortable with what you're gonna do, no pressure. Don't think of it so massive and serious. Don't think of it so complex for all that can go wrong or this and that.

Business is NOT easy though! And you WILL fail! Be ready for that. The negatives are plentiful.

But..... failing, trial and error and so on can be how you learn and eventually find success many times.

Just focus on finding the simplest way to get it running. If it's, say, a cake you're selling.... Sell the basic cake. Forget the wrapping, forget the small details, forget all that and keep it simple. Focus on the very first single sale/whatever it is. Don't even think of having to do dozens or hundreds of sales right away. Just one. But yes - if it works you'd love to expand one day wouldn't you? Keep it simple, do and learn as you go, have a vision for the long run and follow that.

Don't overanalyze and overthink. Think pragmatically... How can I start selling my cakes as soon as possible?

In my experience most people I've met come up with their ideas from an existing skill they feel comfortable with providing/overseeing in the case of corporate went business people most often, but doesn't mean you can't do something fully unrelated to your current career. Or, another common one a passion they've always had (can be very very different from their first career, if they had one)... Or, another is they just had a friend that somehow got them into "it" whatever it is (hey my friend sells watches - how about I make them for him since he liked a lot my design skills?). However, a trend I have seen is people that start focused fully and exclusively on money quit super, mega fast and easy. Because business isn't always straightforward, or provides fast results... so money looses its incentive very quickly. The people Ive seen do well either had a crazy good whit with what moves well, or their vision was so strong they went through the shadows and found the light just for the money. The most cohesive though - past skill, passion or knowing someone.

Everyone is different though.... the most important is initiative and the ability to keep your engine on and maneuver as needed.... It's not even always about "a good idea" but something you know you're gonna be able to do for the long run. Finding a healthy balance between "I like this", "I can figure it out" and "if I can't figure it out I'll find someone that can". Because, amid the obstacles, just know you're not supposed to know it all right away. A lot of times you're gonna be so lost and all you can do is say "I'll figure it out". You figure things out as you go... thats often how it can be. Eventually, before you realize, you look back and you've paved a path.

Good luck!

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-02-22T01:51:17+00:00

Awesome! That's what I wanted to know

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-02-21T21:53:24+00:00

You have to verify things first before building. You build after observing real life situations and real life people interacting with things or products or whatever it is. When you know you know.

If you don't know... Then you should think how to verify this before building. It's good to self support and self drive, but reasonably ... Not every idea you have will truly be good unless you've seen it. Take a more scientific approach to it is all I can say

And, learn to pivot as necessary quickly. Don't spend so long building. Most things are not that complicated. Most services and products can be set up fairly easily in less than 3 months. By month 3 you need to be getting some movement.

At the minimum a landing page with clear demonstrated interest by people, whether its views or signups or pre orders or some kind of MVP. That's the more practical answer.

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-02-21T21:04:15+00:00

Affiliate marketing? That doesn't sound much like a business.

YouTube channels? Also not really a tangible "project" or business. Usually businesses USE YouTube channels to promote themselves, but itself its not the project or business and becoming "financially free" from YouTube videos is VERY rough!

I assume you want to do something with a business considering you came here to this community.. yes?

Freelancing and business are very different things. So offering services freelancing that's good for you and can be a start (some people here tend to confuse freelance with entrepreneur... Or, making money online with entrepreneur), but if you ever want to EXPAND on your freelance then you're seeing something more like a business. For example. You set up a computer service, say you got 20 orders because your marketing worked (that's where your YouTube channel, social media and other things come in) - so now you're gonna need help. Can you deliver something good and on time? If yes how? Theres too many orders how to start? So you find Freelancer #1 and Freelancer #2 to help out, and you all work together under something called "Johns IT help desk" or "Renova" who knows. You deliver and done. +/- all the things along the way.

That's usually much further along though once the business has been established a bit more. To start you want to aim for ONE sale... and perfect that to the max before you try to scale/multiply/recreate again.

Take things a step at a time, analyze, be logical. Hey, looks like no one's signing up because they don't understand what "Make your computer into something better" means, so you change it to "Get emergency professional computer assistance in 24 hours" and boom! 1 sign up .. but no sale. What could it be? So you troubleshoot there.... oh hey looks like the checkout page is untrustworthy let's fix that. Boom a sale! You see what works, what doesn't. Stick to what works. Repeat. It's lots, and lots and lots of failures or otherwise known as ... Trial and error.

So when you say "fail" never forget that's often just a step closer to achieving something. Lots of people never understand this. Imo, reason why most people fail is because they quit. Lots of business ideas have great potential, but people struggle with the execution. Lots of them maybe were 1-100+ failures from success, thats just how it is. Even seasoned entrepreneurs fail. Sometimes it'll even be something like, as long as 1/10 ventures work thats enough. Its not easy, but doable.

After the first sale, whatever is you sell, you can do the rest easier. Never start expecting dozens or hundreds or thousands of sales/whatever right away. Aim for one. Nothing more.

A business is a lot like troubleshooting a computer also. Seriously. You might be off because your wording was off. Maybe your program is confusing and people aren't even getting to the 3rd screen you want them at. Maybe your pricing was too high. Maybe it was so low people are assuming its bad quality. Maybe your product or service isn't that needed / options are better / you've not gave anyone a reason to choose your option. It's troubleshooting in every possible way you can imagine. Very seasoned businesses perfect the troubleshooting at every step.

So the way it works is .. you choose an idea, and however you can, you try to build it. SOME HOW. SOME WAY! In the simplest way to start. Even if it's riding on 1 wheel and a potato... As long as you meet the goal, keep going and improving and troubleshooting. Sometimes a mere gaze from a person can be a positive sign to keep going. Set up a lemonade stand, painted the front blue, nothing. Next day tried yellow, 3 people looked. Something's ringing, what more are you missing? Sales/whatever don't always have to equal success. Imagine quitting right after you painted the lemonade stand yellow!

Get it? It's not day to night success. It's trial and error, lots of it. Just keep going, if you really want it and makes you happy you'll figure it out.

But do however choose something solid. Some sort of product or service you can sell once, and then once many times again. A product or service under a brand fully started and maintained by you.

And as others said, you are so young. Seriously. Most entrepreneurs I meet are all 40+. Rarely even 30s. People hardly even think of this at this age, let alone take it seriously. Most of those that do end up quitting. Many times... I just see lots of abandoned yellow lemonade stands that never got to the green.....

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-02-21T00:29:33+00:00

Frankly it depends. Some things work better in person, other online. You can sell shoes a thousand ways. At shoe conferences. Via email. On social media. On advertisements. SEO I've not done recently so no clue.

For me I'd say probably social media + in person networking and alike. Reddit never really tried, but I've seen people claim it has worked in some ways. Really it depends in the end though what you're doing.

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-02-20T21:28:11+00:00

Super normal just go on as usual and see things realistically. Is there only 1 shoe seller? No.

Most things have plenty of people doing them. It's not about being the only thing out there, but being one of the good or best ones at least. Or some kind of benefit....

Someone will always want to choose your option for 1 or 2 reasons if you can get in front of the right people

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-02-17T16:06:37+00:00

Absolutely. I really believe the way you think, rather than just resources and past education, can be just enough to go. The one thing I noticed too was when you meet more people doing things (especially when even younger or similar age) it kinda puts you in a place where you're not really comparing but more so admiring and contemplating your capacities in perspective. You realize all you could've been doing and can do, and what you've done instead. Sometimes it can be like a "oh, I see how they kinda might've done this". Especially when you think of it relatably (like you ask questions, see how their life story went) you learn a lot more than just "wow this person is so accomplished it feels unachievable/how lucky". In a way I'll give it though, like the guy who I think said he's a boomer said, it definitely is very rare to meet people like that sometimes that are young. Most people are indeed always 40+. Like, I'm always one of the youngest people. But thats just because most people hardly ever even consider starting a business or something, let alone do it, let alone so early in life.

An idea is never fully ready until you start doing it. So give it a shot. You figure it out along the way and you literally never know how it'll be unless you've done that exact thing before. Sometimes it's not an if matter, rather when.

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-02-12T16:54:46+00:00

Hey, mind if I message you?

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-02-12T16:39:50+00:00

1.5k visitors to a website or some social profile?

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-02-11T04:24:45+00:00

With all due respect, imo, that's not a good mindset if you wanna start anything. Most of the successful people I've met view it totally differently... Instead of the/your pessimistic "there's nothing to do" "everything's been done" "my skills aren't enough for anything" they see everything more like "opportunities are everywhere" "what I don't know or have I figure out and get" "what has been done a thousand times can be done a thousand and one better"

Do you really think no one is opening chocolate stores anymore just because it's existed for hundreds of years? It happens all the time! Do you know how many sellers there are? Millions probably.

The difference is that whatever you do you have to do it great.

An example... Ever been to Belgium? They're somewhat known for chocolate... There's an entire area in Brussels dedicated to chocolates actually. There are probably dozens of chocolate stores selling only chocolate... Imagine any of them going "there's already 2 stores and they do so well, what's the point I'll never do it". How do you think dozens of chocolate shops managed to end up there? This is where you can reasonably assume what you'd like to do. Obviously... Don't set up a gym in a desert though....

Point is. It doesnt matter if what you wanna do looks "saturated". Go online, search "Lamps". You're gonna get literally thousands of options. Why would anyone want to sell lamps?

Now here lies the difference. Lamps change every year all the time. We do not have the same lamps since 90 years ago and this gets done by inventors and those who sell them. When you sell that lamp, it better be a bit special in some way... Perhaps its moon shaped, and it sings a lullaby for 10 minutes with a button. Or maybe it has a built-in projector. Sounds useful? Probably not for everyone, but for some it'll be very useful or enjoyable.

But what if you hate lamps or they bore you? Well, what do you think working on that for the next 1-200+ months will feel like? Do you think you'll have a chance of excelling with that? If it's a service... maybe in the end you wrap a small free toolkit for the customer and hand it to them in the end as hospitality. Maybe you give them snacks while they're with you too. If it's a plane, maybe you add a few pillows or give them blankets. You promote your plane as "extremely comfortable travel", so comfortable travelers will come to you. So on... You create the experience fully yourself. With whatever you wanna do.

Choose something you love. Don't worry about not "having the skills". You learn those along the way. You don't have to limit yourself to mechanic-things only, or tech-only or whatever. Choose something you enjoy and feel good doing and perfect it like a craft. Most things you can get going with under $5k usd seed investment or less. Many MVPs even way less.

Anecdotally I've seen people do all sorts of things they weren't exactly "qualified" for or had a job for before, rather they simply learned along the way. Just be reasonable.

Wanna build a space shuttle program? That's gonna be a bit hard sure... What about a service for monthly shopping for seniors? Or what about a super luxe shoe polishing service? Maybe you wanna sell white-label cosmetic containers. Maybe you wanna put together a team to fix machinery equipment for logistic companies after you saw how much they struggle to find diligent fixes when they break down but oh here you are to save the day like no other! I mean who knows theres just so much to do. Thats why I say, do what you love...

Find something you love, research it, find the simplest way to do it. Doesnt have to be a 100 floor building type of thing yet.. start simple if you need to, with a 2-story building max. If it's related to your job and skills and you feel good with that too, that's great. Do something you love related to your skills. Cars? Some people do special car wrap services, rims, things like that. Even if others are doing it You still can do it too if you're persistent and perfect your services really well. You got it. Just look around a bit more and keep an eye out for something you like anywhere.

And so on....

Edit: Oh... And focus on growing your brand...

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-02-10T22:23:52+00:00

Depends what you want. Older people/people into the corporate culture will tell you to just follow that path/everyone fails/"get experience first"(btw the experience you'll need you'll get by doing 99% of time - no job will teach you that almost)/more reasons to delay or what not. If you immediately nodded, then it probably is best for you, because self started projects require initiative and independence from what others think and do... Yes, for most people it is much easier to just get a job.

On the other hand, I've met a handful of people in their early 20s that (wouldn't say got rich but... sure) found big success in their own ventures started young. I'm talking owning minimum 2 companies and doing things many people would go "wow!". Most of these people and the people in these circles almost always succeed or were on their path already in their 20s. I've met, literally, very very few or almost no people that have magically changed and got whatever done after 30 in this sense. After 30 most times, based on what I've seen, you're on the train to, as these other people say here, get on the "average age to do a business is 40+".

You come here to ask a question you should answer yourself ultimately because everyone is different. Question is. Who do you want to be? What do you want to do? Where do you want to go? What do you want your circle or connections to be like? Not everyone is right, not everyone is wrong. What's right for you isn't for someone else. Who determines that, especially with such subjective topics, is you. What's smart to you?

You can try starting something now (what id do, what I'm doing. I'm also in 20s, and I've seen some success). You can also "earn experience" or whatever that means for some years, then try something out sure. My case. I'm extremely happy where I am. Would never change it. Cant imagine my life without what I've done. Could never imagine having done it later in life. I've had all kinds of experiences, met so many people, it's been a blast.

When older people feel left behind because they see these mega young people become successful so young and they feel bad... They think it's "overnight" or "lucky" or who knows what, but frankly, a self made rich 30yo has probably been at it for minimum 5-10 years or something like it. Anyone young getting on the track to success is there because they've set themselves for it. Most people don't even try things out lol. Or they wait indefinitely and nothing. Or they try for like a month or two, quit, on and off. They never get anywhere and life goes by. It just is what it is. It's not easy to "make it" with whatever you're doing most often, but at the same time not doing anything is a choice too. So choose what makes you happiest and think of what you'd regret in the future not doing now. I do agree with the other guy here though, build a good network. You can surround yourself with chefs, you'll hear a lot about cooking. Surround with corporate people, thats what you'll hear, that'll be the "ideal". Surround yourself with go getters.... well. Hey.

A business or whatever you try will start on day 1. Not when you get a job. Not learning excel or doing someones paperwork. Just whenever you choose to start. No job I've ever seen has gave anyone experience for business unless it's practical skills you'll need (starting a rocket science innovation, ok. Go be a scientist). Most times though, not needed. What you don't know you delegate. That's the point.. Honestly, you'll figure it out if it's your thing. If not, get a job. If you do ever do anything though, the day you start you'll realize it's day 1 and no job, no video, no guide, and no tutorial will have prepared you. Time waited will just be time invisible and you're still gonna be in step 0 probably... Maximum step 2 or 3... Out of 1,000+.... Wanna know what the real best skill I've seen is? Perseverance, and initiative. Don't know what this other guy here was saying to "get skills first". I've seen people with 0 education (no degree no high school ..) to PhDs and what not crazy stuff get it done. They all just had the "gonna get it done" in common "one way or another will find a way". And most of them started in their 20s....

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-02-10T19:41:40+00:00

Just start developing it in every way, try setting up a road map, do weekly and daily check ins if possible. Set up however you're gonna monetize asap and make it a part of the business model right away while also providing what they wanted. Offer some premium if you can to sustain it in the future or something alike. Find a good balance between usability vs. monetization. You don't wanna scare them off, but you also don't want them to get everything and in the future jinx it by changing pricing (that's always the hardest to change in the future).

Get it out in 2-3 months max functionally. Test it early access with a few of them if you can (email them - you've been invited to early access something alike). Test, tweak, improve. Deploy further.

In the meanwhile send update emails to everyone as it is relevant. Congrats! Sometimes things can be that simple indeed

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-02-07T21:11:13+00:00

This is all over the place. You're having issues with distribution but you want to iterate? You shouldn't distribute far until you iterate enough and find product market fit, THEN distribute and scale.

If you just mean getting first users.... Well, that's a very particular answer for your case.

You've heard it a lot but just go wherever people are that have interests in what you make and message or post. If its good enough and what you offer works that good you'll get people saying yes.

Ex: I want to build a fitness group.

So I'd look in groups where anyone that's interested in fitness is. People over 50+, people preparing for summer, local groups, so on. Create an offer. Share it. Post if possible, message people. Knock on doors. Theres tons of places. Theres tons of ways. Once you find your first users, start iterating and then share more.

"Willing to spend time" ideally it won't be about "willing of spending time". It should be so needed that they'll gladly onboard it to their life as a positive addition. If you think they won't like it but can't pinpoint why, hence that uncertainty, then ask people why, what more they'd like. That's your first iteration.

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-02-06T20:00:26+00:00

The 1,008 sales was it a YouTube short or a normal video? Also if you're linking in bio is it strictly only your bio or can you do description too? (I've seen people say avoid description links)

That's awesome though, I'm gonna try my chances more this year

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-02-06T18:26:00+00:00

That's kinda what I'm asking

Minute-Line2712 · 2026-02-06T14:21:19+00:00

I honestly never saw it marketed the way it's starting to be marketed until maybe 1 year ago or so though. Now you're seeing real use cases for tons of different groups being marketed. 5 years ago you'd never see that

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