Whats up everyone! Excellent forum here. I have been lurking for a while and decided that I HAD to sign up to get in on the action that takes place.
Brief intro:
I am currently 24 years old living in VA with my girlfriend. I grew up in upstate NY and went to grade school in a very rich area although my family had very little money. The way the school districts were cut put me with all the "rich" kids. A new BMW, mercedes, [insert fancy car brand] for your 16th birthday was extremely common and for many, an expected gift. (no I didn't get one, I bought an 87 jeep cherokee when I was 18 lol)
While growing up it was tough for me to see my friends getting all the fancy bikes, clothes, cars and other toys that I either couldn't afford or had to work extremely hard for. Going to play at their houses was an awesome experience as many of their homes had theaters and swimming pools. I knew that when I grew up this was what I was going to have, and actually helped to start me off on the right path.
My first entrepreneurial adventure was around the age of 11. I started making fingerboards (yes even before tech-decks) out of layers of glued together file folders. I bought sandpaper for griptape and used lego wheels for the trucks and wheels. I sold them to all my friends I skateboarded with for 4 dollars a piece and soon raked in over $160 as it turned out to be a huge hit with the whole 5th grade. Had I known back then, I would have brought the damn thing to market haha.
Throughout my highschool career I had all the typical jobs. I worked in a silk screen shop printing t-shirts, a phone survey place asking people questions, and then at an auto shop where I stayed throughout college. I started as the oil change / tire kid, and worked my way up to a B level tech. I had my side business wherever I could (mowing lawns, extra car repairs), but after finishing high-school without a real fastlane plan, the only logical choice was college.
I graduated college in 2008 with a BT in Automotive Technology. For my internship I took a chance at a job that I wasn't quite qualified for, but knew that I could convince them I was worth it. Even if it didn't work out, it was only 15 weeks for me and the company. The job would require me to move to virginia, which fit into my plan of getting out of the snowbelt and moving south. To make a long story short, it worked out and I now work as an engineer for a very large, heavy duty equipment manufacturer during the day, and as a night host at a local hotel by night. As you can see I currently work the slowlane lifestyle of 14 hour days. I use the nightdesk job to pay my "fastlane fund" if you will, that is strictly for my business venture when I am ready.
I was fortunate enough to realize that having school loans would hold me back on my dreamlife, so I worked through college to pay as I went and attended an in state school to keep costs low.I am now completely out of debt and have approx 13K saved to start whatever it is I choose.
With no concrete idea I am continuing to just learn and save. I read at least a book a week, and study the forums and other sites as much as possible.
I am the kind of guy who has a million ideas a day, but always finds a flaw in them all. I am not looking to just make "decent money" as I would have already stopped. I want the real deal. I am confident that I will soon enough find my way and begin the same venture that many of you have made or are making.
If I can help in anyway, please do no hesitate to ask. Even if its a small auto related question or "where do I stay in upstate NY?" I will help whenever possible.
Thanks for listening, I'll see ya out there!! :fastlane:
Brief intro:
I am currently 24 years old living in VA with my girlfriend. I grew up in upstate NY and went to grade school in a very rich area although my family had very little money. The way the school districts were cut put me with all the "rich" kids. A new BMW, mercedes, [insert fancy car brand] for your 16th birthday was extremely common and for many, an expected gift. (no I didn't get one, I bought an 87 jeep cherokee when I was 18 lol)
While growing up it was tough for me to see my friends getting all the fancy bikes, clothes, cars and other toys that I either couldn't afford or had to work extremely hard for. Going to play at their houses was an awesome experience as many of their homes had theaters and swimming pools. I knew that when I grew up this was what I was going to have, and actually helped to start me off on the right path.
My first entrepreneurial adventure was around the age of 11. I started making fingerboards (yes even before tech-decks) out of layers of glued together file folders. I bought sandpaper for griptape and used lego wheels for the trucks and wheels. I sold them to all my friends I skateboarded with for 4 dollars a piece and soon raked in over $160 as it turned out to be a huge hit with the whole 5th grade. Had I known back then, I would have brought the damn thing to market haha.
Throughout my highschool career I had all the typical jobs. I worked in a silk screen shop printing t-shirts, a phone survey place asking people questions, and then at an auto shop where I stayed throughout college. I started as the oil change / tire kid, and worked my way up to a B level tech. I had my side business wherever I could (mowing lawns, extra car repairs), but after finishing high-school without a real fastlane plan, the only logical choice was college.
I graduated college in 2008 with a BT in Automotive Technology. For my internship I took a chance at a job that I wasn't quite qualified for, but knew that I could convince them I was worth it. Even if it didn't work out, it was only 15 weeks for me and the company. The job would require me to move to virginia, which fit into my plan of getting out of the snowbelt and moving south. To make a long story short, it worked out and I now work as an engineer for a very large, heavy duty equipment manufacturer during the day, and as a night host at a local hotel by night. As you can see I currently work the slowlane lifestyle of 14 hour days. I use the nightdesk job to pay my "fastlane fund" if you will, that is strictly for my business venture when I am ready.
I was fortunate enough to realize that having school loans would hold me back on my dreamlife, so I worked through college to pay as I went and attended an in state school to keep costs low.I am now completely out of debt and have approx 13K saved to start whatever it is I choose.
With no concrete idea I am continuing to just learn and save. I read at least a book a week, and study the forums and other sites as much as possible.
I am the kind of guy who has a million ideas a day, but always finds a flaw in them all. I am not looking to just make "decent money" as I would have already stopped. I want the real deal. I am confident that I will soon enough find my way and begin the same venture that many of you have made or are making.
If I can help in anyway, please do no hesitate to ask. Even if its a small auto related question or "where do I stay in upstate NY?" I will help whenever possible.
Thanks for listening, I'll see ya out there!! :fastlane:
Dislike ads? Become a Fastlane member:
Subscribe today and surround yourself with winners and millionaire mentors, not those broke friends who only want to drink beer and play video games. :-)
Membership Required: Upgrade to Expose Nearly 1,000,000 Posts
Ready to Unleash the Millionaire Entrepreneur in You?
Become a member of the Fastlane Forum, the private community founded by best-selling author and multi-millionaire entrepreneur MJ DeMarco. Since 2007, MJ DeMarco has poured his heart and soul into the Fastlane Forum, helping entrepreneurs reclaim their time, win their financial freedom, and live their best life.
With more than 39,000 posts packed with insights, strategies, and advice, you’re not just a member—you’re stepping into MJ’s inner-circle, a place where you’ll never be left alone.
Become a member and gain immediate access to...
- Active Community: Ever join a community only to find it DEAD? Not at Fastlane! As you can see from our home page, life-changing content is posted dozens of times daily.
- Exclusive Insights: Direct access to MJ DeMarco’s daily contributions and wisdom.
- Powerful Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse group of successful entrepreneurs who can offer mentorship, collaboration, and opportunities.
- Proven Strategies: Learn from the best in the business, with actionable advice and strategies that can accelerate your success.
"You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with the most..."
Who are you surrounding yourself with? Surround yourself with millionaire success. Join Fastlane today!
Join Today
. Muuloph gusxesf vu jiesoph ecuav zuas ofiet epf huemt! O dep simevi vu zua hsuxoph aq esuapf xiemvjz gsoipft... Ov tadlt ev vonit cav ov figopovimz howit zua vji nuvowevoup vu fu tunivjoph iyvseusfopesz. Ximduni vu vji getvmepi nz gsoipf!
