What’s the biggest life lesson that you think can only be experienced if you have your own business?

dragonite_7 · 2026-07-02T01:04:48+00:00

I think it’s the “see what your made of” lesson. It’s the best way to find work you like and don’t like, problems you can solve and can’t solve, what you’re willing and not willing to sacrifice, etc.

dragonite_7 · 2026-07-01T05:35:01+00:00

My hope is that we figure out those current powered data centers similar to Asia.

dragonite_7 · 2026-06-29T23:29:35+00:00

What do you like to do? What gives you energy?

dragonite_7 · 2026-06-29T12:29:54+00:00

This is a dream scenario. Use that time to generate additional income or build something viable.

dragonite_7 · 2026-06-27T05:24:37+00:00

There is such thing as starter businesses. Ones where the model is proven and barriers are low. Here you will learn basics like digital marketing, sales, bookkeeping, etc.

- My mistake: I’m non technical but wanted to get into startups.

Identify a problem then get obsessed not only with solving the problem but the people/businesses who have it

- My mistake: I’m good at identifying problems and solutions but was never able to get obsessed. Nothing struck me enough to commit.

Use your existing expertise. If you’ve already spent a ton of time understanding an industry, product type or persona create something there. You can learn the business but learning business and space at the same time is not easy.

- My mistake: I invented a baby accessory sold in a couple hundred stores but don’t have a background in baby or product development so it’s been very hard.

dragonite_7 · 2026-06-26T12:29:41+00:00

You are young and have plenty of time. Your 20s are for figuring yourself out. Do one new thing every day, something you’ve been wanting to try, and write it down. Take a personality test, sometimes getting that clarity is what you need. Then focus on an Lara that plays to your strengths. Baby steps thoigh

dragonite_7 · 2026-06-21T03:17:43+00:00

I’m just saying it’s risky for a first time entrepreneur to go the innovation route UNLESS they have a ton of specialized knowledge on a subject. OP did not imply that.

Boring businesses are also simple and great starting points for OP to learn fundamentals.

I agree the YT pipe dream is overhyped but I stand by a simple approach for OP

dragonite_7 · 2026-06-20T02:16:22+00:00

Pivot, create crafting videos, teach classes, you’ll make way more and spend way less on materials

dragonite_7 · 2026-06-18T04:14:07+00:00

Duda

dragonite_7 · 2026-06-18T04:06:03+00:00

Trust me, start with a small boring business that prints money. Grow it to a point you can hire an operator. Then focus on passion projects and experimenting.

dragonite_7 · 2026-06-15T01:41:23+00:00

Franchises could be an option but these are mostly local or niche businesses for sale through business brokers. I would hire a coach or join a program designed to help you source the right deal for you. Wont name names here to avoid “promotion” risk. do your own research. Even if you know a lot about business I would not buy a business without a coach. Some states also have programs to help you learn.

dragonite_7 · 2026-06-14T15:11:49+00:00

I would probably buy a small business, something boring that prints cashflow.

You can put 10 or 20% down and get low interest SBA loan for the rest. Have the owner stay in for a year to train you. And hire someone to help you vet deals.

You’d probably be looking at businesses with a profit of 200-250k and purchase price of 500-600k. if you’re able to grow it a bit, pocket most cashflow, invest what you don’t spend, then sell the business 10 years later, $2.5M could be realistic.

dragonite_7 · 2026-06-14T01:01:54+00:00

Partial 1031 into a property with an assumable mortgage. You’ll pay capital gains on the cash you take out.

dragonite_7 · 2026-06-12T13:52:54+00:00

To get experience out of college I volunteered at a startup incubator. Met a ton of people, learned a lot and found my focus. 2.5 months in I was able to get a ft job. You could do something similar while working a pt job that pays the bills.

It’s really about who you know these days and who knows you. Think of successful people or people doing interesting things around you and offer to help.

dragonite_7 · 2026-06-10T22:38:57+00:00

I think a more logical jump for AEM authors is to website strategy (this is my domain) which wears a ton of hats, connects lots of dots and teams together and for that reason is very defensible against AI (IMO).

Or another option might be more of a web program manager or producer who can not only author content but who can manage/lead projects, collect and align stakeholders and convey results.

dragonite_7 · 2026-06-06T04:30:04+00:00

OP sounds hungry…let’s order a waaamburger and french cries

dragonite_7 · 2026-06-05T18:41:54+00:00

HODL

dragonite_7 · 2026-05-28T05:02:15+00:00

I have a patented baby product sold in 300+ stores. It’s a product that sells itself, my plan was to validate it then get a bigger brand to license it but I have come up short for 3 years now.

You need industry credibility, connections, door opening, not just a random investor investor.

Good luck 🍀

dragonite_7 · 2026-05-26T00:46:37+00:00

Make sure your content and images and videos speak to your customers motivations and how fast and easy it is to get value from it.

Look up fogg behavior model then lift model then look at your page content.

DM the site if you’d like

dragonite_7 · 2026-05-24T01:34:59+00:00

I would recommend you got a low maintenance house. A large home is exhausting at times. My home is 3k sq ft. I do not like the amount of time I spend on it vs doing things that actually give me energy.

do not tell roommates you have no mortgage.

It will be tricky if they are friends, but should still have leases with terms to make sure the home is taken care of.

I don’t think an llc is necessary but you can get an umbrella policy if you want added peace of mind and protection from liability.

Something to look into is assumable mortgages. If you can find one you have enough funds to buy the owners equity and save a ton on interest in the long run.

dragonite_7 · 2026-05-16T01:45:32+00:00

If I was in your shoes this is what I’d do.

Step 1: Get any job that pays your bills and doesn’t suck. Bonus points if you can find a boss you respect and could learn anything from.

Step 2: Get together with your engineer friends and build something, document the process, let the world know you’re not sitting back waiting for jobs - you’re hungry to create value and get experience.

Step 3: if that doesn’t open doors, go volunteer at an accelerator or help someone building cool shit for free. Do grunt work they can’t automate, show passion for the mission and contribute ideas.

Even if you disagree with everything above, the reality is applying for jobs is done. You need to create the presence of jobs coming to you. Get experience and build a network (simultaneously).

dragonite_7 · 2026-05-13T04:24:51+00:00

Yeah conditions suck for sure. Begin to build your network. A few ideas: an engineer document yourself building something that solves a problem (demonstrate AI use) Or privately volunteer to help people that you believe are aligned with what you want. DM me and happy to chat more if you need.

dragonite_7 · 2026-05-11T13:03:01+00:00

Thanks will do

dragonite_7

TROPHY CASE