When I was 11 years old, I lived with my grandmother in Orange County, California. We had food and basic supplies – but not much extra. I wanted stickers for my skateboard binding but couldn't afford them.

So, I asked my grandmother for sticky notes and she said yes. She knew I had to be creative. I printed my own stickers and felt proud when I added them to my binder. At school, my friends liked my personalized stickers.

Then I started selling them for $5 for two, while a local skate shop sold theirs for $5 each. I'll never forget the first time someone paid me for something I created – it opened my eyes to what's possible when you start a business.

This simple idea turned into something bigger. I started selling clothes and skateboard decks as well. I created a website using Yahoo Site Builder. My site showcased my products and helped me connect with customers. There was also a blog where we shared about skate dates, giveaways, and movie sessions. Back then, social media was easier to use; it was basically non-existent compared to today.

All that to say, this trip taught me resilience and showed me how to be an entrepreneur while being creative. I faced some challenges but I learned a lot from my hustle and the growth of the business was exciting to witness.

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When I think about being a young entrepreneur, I remember the lessons that made me strong and motivated. I started my own sticker company when I was only 11 years old. Little did I know then that this would spark my love for business. It also taught me skills that would help me later.

Many people do not understand how these early experiences are the key to success and personal growth. I spent many sleepless nights making and packing stickers. Those times showed me how important work and dedication can be. In high school, I continued with my sticker business. I felt like a seasoned business owner because I faced many challenges.

Here are the top four lessons I learned from starting my first business at a young age. These lessons have helped me build a successful business.

1. Build a good name

Build a strong reputation by being right and respect for others. This is important, even when you feel insecure. Avoid choices that could damage your name or integrity. Remember your humble beginnings and what you faced in your first year of business.

Let your actions show your true character and keep your name clean. Always try to do what is right, especially when hard times make you doubt yourself. Instead of chasing fame or money, focus on doing good work and making choices that reflect your values. The best part of your journey will be the personal growth you gain along the way. Keep a good heart and be willing to work hard. Do this not only for your dreams, but also to help your loved ones achieve their dreams in the future.

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2. Give first without expectation

If nothing matters, you have to decide what is important to you. Choose wisely and be honest about your choices. A big lesson I learned while starting my sticker business is to give without expecting anything in return. When I shared my work with others, I received more support and opportunities than I expected.

This experience taught me the value of generosity and self-denial. I saw how these traits can build strong relationships and improve resilience. This way of thinking helped me grow my business and gave me valuable insights into entrepreneurship and my core values.

3. Develop ordinary skills to extraordinary levels

Real leaders are people who take simple skills and make them special. They help others in their area of ​​expertise. These leaders go above and beyond what is normal. This shows that they can think of new ideas and adapt quickly to work.

Achieving this level requires hard work, care and a desire to improve. Those who develop their skills stand out from the crowd. They also motivate others to pursue success. In short, turning basic skills into great ones helps one become a true leader in any company.

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4. Reframe failure to resilience

Celebrate the difficult moments, especially when starting a new business. It may seem difficult, but you have to prepare for the challenges. When you feel stuck, try to see failure in a new way. If you stay humble and face failures, you will learn valuable lessons from each side.

Many successful people experience failures. What is important is how they think about these challenges. This mindset helps them become strong leaders. Endurance it's about getting back up when you fall. It's not about never failing, it's about growing stronger from it. When you see failure as a way to learn, you can turn problems into stepping stones to success.