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I asked the same thing on the blog, but would be interested to know what the HN community thinks. Jason and other speakers at Startup School (like Paul Buchhei

I asked the same thing on the blog, but would be interested to know what the HN community thinks. Jason and other speakers at Startup School (like Paul Buchheit for example) talked about how they were already building and selling things to their friends growing up. I did none of that and I was wondering if that's something that's part of one's character, or if that's something that can come later. Also, I'm thinking one's environment (parents in particular) might influence you in that direction. I sometimes feel that I grew up in a well-enough family that I didn't need to work for pocket money, but not entrepreneurial enough that I would be inspired. But it might just be my character then…

alttab 17y ago
Entrepreneurial success is somehow related to character. There are many books/blogs defining, or trying to figure those things out. I distributed a game called "Button Masher" on the TI-83 to class mates in the 8th grade. You hook up two calculators.... and mash the "Up" button as fast as you can to see your bar reach the top. I didn't make any money because I didn't charge, but the thought crossed my mind. I think it comes down to a couple of things, whether they are all/some sufficient/necessary probably depends on experience or personal anecdotes. That said, here is what brought me to it: 1) The unbound desire to create something without a rubric. 2) The internal joy one receives when that created something makes someone's day. 3) The motivation to act when you see something and say "I could totally do that better." So to me, 'making money' comes down to: wanting to prove to myself + desire to help others = profit. edit: formatting.
apsurd 17y ago
I did none of that and I was wondering if that's something that's part of one's character, or if that's something that can come later. Character is built. Therefore I do not get why there is an "or" in that sentence. It is a mistake to think you are born with character, or skill, or talent, or gifts, or anything: even if you are. In the same way I will always believe I am in control of my life, even if I may really not be. Your post suggests that you are looking for reasons why ... lets call them what they are: excuses. If you want to be an entrepreneur, you'll need to sell stuff. Whether you've done it for the past 1000 years or have never looked into another persons eyes for more than 2 seconds, you just have to do it. No more excuses. Stop reasoning, start doing.
pchristensen 17y ago
I had some entrepreneurial drive as a kid (selling origami, candy arbitrage, etc) but got in trouble and unfortunately the "Don't fight the system" message was louder than the entrepreneurial urge. I still worked hard mowing lawns, summer jobs, etc. What was missing was the idea that I could create arbitrarily large amounts of value for it and charge accordingly.
- ellyagg 17y ago
  Ahh, candy arbitrage. That was a great opportunity when I was a HS freshman. I had resellers and contracts and everything...until the stupid administration called me into the office.
timcederman 17y ago
I felt like I hadn't done anything entrepreneurial in my youth, but in retrospect selling "spider removal services" as a 7 year old, and selling membership to my BBS as a 15 year old (amongst other things) fit in the same genre of what many entrepreneurs talk of doing themselves.

alttab 17y ago

Entrepreneurial success is somehow related to character. There are many books/blogs defining, or trying to figure those things out. I distributed a game called "Button Masher" on the TI-83 to class mates in the 8th grade. You hook up two calculators.... and mash the "Up" button as fast as you can to see your bar reach the top. I didn't make any money because I didn't charge, but the thought crossed my mind. I think it comes down to a couple of things, whether they are all/some sufficient/necessary probably depends on experience or personal anecdotes. That said, here is what brought me to it: 1) The unbound desire to create something without a rubric. 2) The internal joy one receives when that created something makes someone's day. 3) The motivation to act when you see something and say "I could totally do that better." So to me, 'making money' comes down to: wanting to prove to myself + desire to help others = profit. edit: formatting.

apsurd 17y ago

I did none of that and I was wondering if that's something that's part of one's character, or if that's something that can come later. Character is built. Therefore I do not get why there is an "or" in that sentence. It is a mistake to think you are born with character, or skill, or talent, or gifts, or anything: even if you are. In the same way I will always believe I am in control of my life, even if I may really not be. Your post suggests that you are looking for reasons why ... lets call them what they are: excuses. If you want to be an entrepreneur, you'll need to sell stuff. Whether you've done it for the past 1000 years or have never looked into another persons eyes for more than 2 seconds, you just have to do it. No more excuses. Stop reasoning, start doing.

pchristensen 17y ago

I had some entrepreneurial drive as a kid (selling origami, candy arbitrage, etc) but got in trouble and unfortunately the "Don't fight the system" message was louder than the entrepreneurial urge. I still worked hard mowing lawns, summer jobs, etc. What was missing was the idea that I could create arbitrarily large amounts of value for it and charge accordingly.

ellyagg 17y ago
Ahh, candy arbitrage. That was a great opportunity when I was a HS freshman. I had resellers and contracts and everything...until the stupid administration called me into the office.

timcederman 17y ago

I felt like I hadn't done anything entrepreneurial in my youth, but in retrospect selling "spider removal services" as a 7 year old, and selling membership to my BBS as a 15 year old (amongst other things) fit in the same genre of what many entrepreneurs talk of doing themselves.