There’s no doubt that entrepreneurship is challenging. There is no doubt that being a young, black entrepreneur is even more so. You’ll need to build a diverse set of skills, work with a wide range of personalities, and often spend long nights building your brand. Plus, you need to overcome all of the limiting beliefs about what you can do.
Honestly, I didn’t know exactly what it would take to succeed when I created Scope Marketing at 16, and I’ve learned a lot since then. But despite everyone who told me to wait until I was older, I managed to grow my company into a leading marketing brand in just two years.
I couldn’t tell you that building a business is easy. That said, I can tell you that anyone can do it if they have an innovative idea and the will to turn that idea into a concrete reality.
Some people see my story as one in a million, but I hope it inspires young people around the world to pursue their dreams, regardless of their age or any other obstacles. I want to cover three seemingly simple ideas that completely transformed my outlook and helped me reach the point I’m at today.
Believe in Yourself – You are never Too Young For This
My life has changed dramatically since I started Scope Marketing, but I didn’t even consider opening a business until I read Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki at age 14. I already had some ideas about digital marketing, and at that point I realized I had a real opportunity.
Seemingly overnight, Scope went from being a fun hypothetical to a serious business with high stakes. Two years later, I’m on pace to generate six figures of revenue in 2020 while working with global ecommerce brands.
One thing I’ve noticed is that kids and adults alike act as if I’ve achieved the impossible. To be honest, I would have said the same thing just a few years ago.
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But after reading Rich Dad Poor Dad and taking a look at my own financial future, I realized that everything that’s never been done before seems impossible until someone breaks through those artificial walls and ceilings. I simply asked the question, ‘why shouldn’t it be me?’
The Society Doesn’t Get to Choose Who You Are – The Choice Is Yours
Nobody gets to decide who you are and what you can achieve. The only person with the power of that decision is you – don’t forget that. We are born and raised in a world that is still struggling with something we thought shouldn’t exist anymore. Yes, racism is still a thing and we can all feel it.
However, as a young teen in America, you get to decide if you are going to follow the image that was created for you, or if you are going to follow your dreams. I decided to dream, to work and to take action. And here I am. I have just turned 19, and I have a team to lead and clients to care about. I continue to overcome what is “expected of me” and to crush my goals.
How? Focus is the most important thing. Just focus on you, yourself and your personal goals. You are writing your own story.
Focus on Results
In the same way that people tend to sensationalize my accomplishments, I often feel like their expectations are different when they’re working with a younger entrepreneur. Instead of trying to capitalize on the story or do well “for my age,” I just try to do the best work I can and let my results speak for themselves.
I don’t just talk the talk—I offer an ROI guarantee that provides an incredible degree of peace of mind. My goal is to show clients that I’m the best man for the job. That attitude has helped me land contracts with Remax, Anytime Fitness, and other leading brands.
Never Stop Improving
Even though I’m proud of what I’ve done so far, I never let my past achievements stop me from growing. I’m not just here to be a young success story, and I think it’s crucial to keep moving forward regardless of where you are currently.
In the end, it doesn’t matter what you’ve done in the past—what’s important is where you’re going now. What sets Scope Marketing apart is my dedication to improving my craft and finding ways to deliver even better results for my clients.
Big goals don’t always come easy, and there are no shortcuts to success in marketing or any other field. That being said, I always come back to these principles when I think about my own accomplishments. No matter what you’re working toward, these three ideas will help you stay on track and achieve your fullest potential.
About the author: At 16, Jared Curry read Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and it changed his life. Now, Jared is changing the face of eComm marketing. As CEO of Scope Marketing, Jared oversees a team of completely remote digital marketing geniuses. He has been featured in SiteProNews, International Youth Journal, NBC, FOX, CBS. Ecomm business owners: Click to learn more about Jared’s Blackhawk System >>>
