Young Entrepreneur: Josiah Mackenzie
Josiah Mackenzie isn’t scared to accept the rough and rewarding life of a young entrepreneur. At just 20 years-old, Josiah isn’t sitting on the sidelines waiting for success to find him. Quite the opposite. He’s pushing forward with his ventures and making things happen. He believes that the best thing that any entrepreneur can do is: take action! I couldn’t agree with him more. Without actions what do we entrepreneurs have? Not much.
When was is that you realized that you wanted to become an entrepreneur – was there any particular moment in your life?
For me, it was a gradual process. As I grew older, I realized that I wanted more freedom than the typical job allows. Being an entrepreneur is the best way I know to live the lifestyle of my dreams.
How do you see the young entrepreneur sector shaping as the months and years go by?
I think we’re going to see strong growth in the number of young entrepreneurs in the near future. For various reasons, many of the college-age people I talk with indicate their desire to work for themselves. Whether their motivation is to make more money or to have more time off, I see this trend developing even among non-business majors.
For this reason, I predict firms providing services to young entrepreneurs will do very well in the future. I believe this will be especially true of firms that assist people in getting their business started.
What college do you attend? Do you feel that college has anything to do with your current path to success?
This fall I’ll be a junior at Cedarville University, a private school near Columbus, Ohio. I tend to believe that the best learning comes from outside the classroom—it’s hard for a class to compare with real-life coaching, seminars, and experience. I think entrepreneurial college students need to realize this, compliment their in-class study with outside material and activities, and learn to leverage resources at their college. Join the right organizations, meet the influential people, make use of any connections you can.
Remember that colleges exist to serve you, not the other way around. Make your academic schedule fit around your larger life goals, even if it doesn’t look traditional. I’ve already taken two non-consecutive semesters off before my junior year, and they have been tremendously rewarding.
How old are you? Has there ever been a time when you haven’t been taken seriously as a young entrepreneur? If so, how have you gotten past that?
Turned 20 this past week. Since most of my ventures have been internet-based to date, being a young entrepreneur wasn’t a huge deal. Doing business online can provide a certain level of anonymity. In situations where my age could be a disadvantage, I’ve made sure to position myself as knowledgeable, reliable, and experienced. Most people like to see ambitious young entrepreneurs, so if you present yourself well you should do fine.
Tell me about your company and your latest venture Young Wealth Weekly.
Sure—Josiah Mackenzie & Company was formed to provide services to help young entrepreneurs, particularly college students, succeed. Young Wealth Weekly is a free newsletter that I publish along with 9 other young entrepreneurs. It was created as a way for our team to give back to other young entrepreneurs and help them succeed. We try to pack each issue full of fresh how-to articles, exclusive interviews, and reviews of the best books and products our readers might be interested in.
editor’s note: David Askaripour is a contributor to Young Wealth Weekly.
In your mind, what is one of the most important qualities that a young entrepreneur can posses and why?
Without a doubt, action is the most important quality a young entrepreneur could possess. It’s easy to get trapped in a never-ending cycle of planning to the exclusion of taking action in your business venture. Remember, nothing happens until you take action.
What do you have to say to all the naysayers out there who think that young entrepreneurs are in way over their heads and should concentrate more on getting a job, not starting a business?
They need to realize that starting a business is getting a job. Even if you choose not to become a full-time entrepreneur, having a startup on your resume is incredibly valuable.
Talk to me about how you go about networking your businesses. Do a lot of spreading the word at parties, school, or what?
I have a very holistic view of networking. Networking takes place every minute of my day: between classes, in the gym, at parties, and over meals. I try to get to know people as well as I can: their past, their current activities, and their future goals. It’s all about developing strong relationships with other people—rather than making a quick, one-time sale. It’s great because a question about what you do for work invariably comes up, and you can share your news then without appearing pushy.
What keeps you going as a young entrepreneur? What’s the driving force that pushes you along?
People debate which motivator is stronger: fear or pleasure. I use both. I’ve tried to position myself in a way that if I performed poorly, I would disappoint people I respect. This is excellent accountability. Conversely, every day I keep my life goals before me. Is what I’m doing right now contributing to those goals?
Reaching life goals is incredibly motivating for me, as it is with many others. I would encourage any person that wants to become successful to make a list of 100 things they would like to accomplish during their lifetime. Keep this list always before you, and use it as a guide for your daily activities.
Would you recommend that young entrepreneurs start an internet business? If so, why the internet?
Starting an internet business can be best for the first-time entrepreneur, so yes, I would recommend they consider it carefully. Startup costs are low, overhead expenses are virtually nil, and marketing can be easier. Everything is so inexpensive, there’s no reason not to start an internet business. The same business principles apply to “brick and mortar” firms, so if nothing else, it will be a good learning experience.
What’s you advice for all the secret entrepreneurs out there who are too afraid to get out there and start something?
Just start! As Michael Simmons explains in his fantastic book, The Student Success Manifesto: How To Create A Life Of Passion, Purpose, And Prosperity, young people have little to loose by starting a business now. Many of us have a rather large “safety net” if something does go wrong and we loose everything. As we grow older, that safety net disappears, and we take on more and more responsibilities that hinder our ability to take on risk in the form of a business startup. So I would definitely encourage the “secret entrepreneurs” out there to get out and start something.
Please share some parting words for all the young entrepreneurs out there making things happen with their lives – not just talking — and pouring their hearts into something they love more than life.
Make entrepreneurism a lifestyle of rewarding work, reviving relationships, relaxing adventure, and rich generosity. Live your life to the fullest!
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