Learning to Leap from Young Entrepreneurs

I came back 3 weeks ago from Chicago where I was a judge at the GSEA awards (global student entrepreneur awards). These young people from ages 17 to 25 were unbelievable in what they do and what they build.

Their businesses rival any you see in papers or on the streets. They do millions in business. Some of these young people have big staff and innovations for industries that most can’t see innovation in (the last two winners are huge innovators in Jam Production and Drycleaning). Some of these young entrepreneurs already have charity organizations or divisions that give cash to causes they believe in. One guy became a pilot in his spare time … he’s 17!

I tell this story because the best part about being around these young guns, these young leaders was their enthusiasm and belief in just getting out and doing it. Their belief in being able to go out and make a difference overshadowed all the “reasons” they couldn’t do it. You’re too young, you don’t have any money, you have no expeirence, how are you going to do that with school, what about the economy, what about the competition, what about the …

These young people are an example of what happens when you realize you control more of your life and its outcome than anyone or anything else. Great things happen to those who leap.