Is it possible for a 17 year old to start a business?

Hey, im curently studing IT at college and am very much into making money online.

I do have 2 part time jobs at the moment bringing in around $120/week. I am doing this so when i come to apply to uni's and future jobs my CV looks half decent.

However, would it look good on my CV if i stopped working part time but opened my own business?

Is this even possible for an 17 year old?

Thanks!

 

It wouldn't necessarily look better on your CV than working for someone else. Prospective employers want to know if you can work with other people, and take instruction. Also, you can get references from past employers - if you've been working for yourself, you can't give yourself a reference.
If you're purely doing it for the sake of how it would look on your resume, ask around infomally, maybe friends of your parents who take on employees, and your schools career service, because from my personal experience, I would say it's not always a good thing to have on your CV.

 

Hmm, okay.

Thanks for the post. I see where your coming from, maybe i could do both at the same time? But then again, working full time with college & 15 hr's on part time jobs may be too much?

 

Its a hard one to call, if you started your own business and became quite succesful with it, and future employers saw that you had your own business (opened when you was 17 etc) they'd maybe be impressed and see you as someone who can use their iniative and it could work in your favor.

However, it would in my opinion be better to stick with the part time jobs, because as magda says you can get references from previous employers when needed and it just looks better if you have had work experience and shows people your willing to work than just sit at home doing nothing.

 

Hmm, okay. I started part time work when i was 15, so might aswell carry on to do so. Maybe making money will still be my hobby. Not my business?

 

Anything positive looks good on a CV but I wouldn't just start a business to show off, if you are looking to start a business only do it as carer path.

 

yes.it is possible
u are same with me
iam 17 years old
but still senior high school

u can make" making money " for your hobby

 

I would say it's definately worth starting a business. As you're only 17 you still have loads of time to expand and possibly set up a business that could get you through Uni without the hefty fees that are attached nowadays. At the same time, it will show that you are enthusatic about business on your CV, but at the same time it wont give you a reference. How about staying at your job for a bit, getting a reference then starting a business?

But actually, whether it is suitable to start a business really depends on what business you're interested in starting?

 

For someone as young as you are I personally commend you keep it up

 

Well if you started a successful business you may well find you don't need a career - or the degree - just a thought.

 

Dont let anyone here knock you down. Of course, you can do anything your heart desires, just put your mind to it and work hard. Good things will happen. Sorry to sound vague, but its the truth. Keep it up young buddy.

 

I work with teenagers for a living. Start your business.

 

I am 13 currently hitting 100$+ daily. Today I declined the biggest corporation from the country I live the be chief of internet marketing team. If you don't achieve that then do whatever

 

suggest u go for business, u learn real world stuff,value of money and art of communication, no worry on future CV, cause none of ur boss will see it as a negative point even without reference, ur own business only make u out standing and stronger (ask ur self how many of 17 boy is doing own business ?) ......

 

Of course you can. Why not?

 

I started a business at 18 and it failed miserably. That said, it led to my first job, so as long as you're smart with your finances, it can't hurt and can definitely open doors.

 

Keep in mind that you cannot sign a legal document until you reach the age of majority in your province/state, which is usually 18-21. If your business is 100% online it shouldn't be a problem, depending on what you want to do.

 

If u can do it now, why wait?

 

Main issue is that you'll have problems doing anything contractual (even as simple as, for instance, opening a Paypal account). So you may have to drag a parent or guardian in for things like that.

But, other than that, I wish you all the luck in the world.

 

Go ahead if you have the enthusiasm and passion for it. Here's some motivation.

9-Year-Old Girl Starts Dog Treat Business
http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/resources/news/view.php?id=195
8 year old raises money through lemonade stand
http://www.family-business-experts.com/alexandra-scott.html
10 year old shares business secrets
http://www.startupspark.com/success-secrets-a-10-year-old-shares-her-small-business-success/