Whether you are a student, college dropout, or a young professional, your age should never stop you from starting a business. Age is just a number when it comes to wanting to make a difference with any endeavor.

If you are planning to turn your idea into a sustainable business, here are some timeless advice that I learned while attending the Youth Global Forum in Paris, France from 2 - 6 of December, 2018:

1. Vision is important
It takes courage to run a business. There will be challenges along the way. Challenges like finding the right team, looking for funding, managing your time, and many more. You need a vision to overcome all these hurdles.

I asked a cultural anthropologist, Dr. Reiki Crins, on how she was able to build a successful social enterprise that employs and affects hundreds of youth in Bhutan. She answered, “It’s the vision that I have. I really believe in it.”

What’s your vision for your business? How do you see it five years from now? What problems are you solving?

You must visualize the future of your business. In your business journey, if things get tough, you can recall your vision and this will keep you motivated to move ahead.

2. Keep on learning
Learning doesn’t stop after you graduate from university. Learning is endless and you must be well-versed with what you are doing.

“Spend 15 minutes every day reading something new to be aware of the problems that you are solving”, Dr. Waleed Sadek, co-chair of the Sustainable Development Commission Post 2015 at the United Nations, suggested during his presentation at the event.

Learning new things and being aware of the current trends in the industry will help you stay ahead of the game.

3. Never give up
Cliché as it may sound, you have to remind yourself to keep going and to not give up. The journey of running your business is not a secured and straight path; it often has unnecessary curves and unexpected turns.

“Never give up on your dreams. Now I know that if you believe in your idea and go out there to share your passion, people will believe in you and will realize the idea too”, shared Shinelle Bayrd, a young entrepreneur, who won Youth Time’s idea grant at the Youth Global Forum, when I asked about her advice to aspiring young entrepreneurs.

You have a lot of potential and you should not let anyone look down on you just because you are young. Instead, maximize your abilities to create a positive impact through your business.

To explore business opportunities, link with me by clicking on the 'Invite' button on my eBiz Card.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views, official policy or position of GlobalLinker.