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:
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