Hello from Florida

[dremos]

Hi,
My name is Kevin and I'm a 17 year old Senior in highschool (another week and I'm done!) I'm working on saving the funds to start my business which I consider I've already started, due to all the hours I put into my business plan, and all the prototypes I'm making of my final product.

If you're wondering, which I hope you are, I'm starting a kiteboarding business. I've been making surfboards since I was 13 and I immediatly fell in love with the sport of kiteboarding at the age of 16. So recently I've been doing a lot of research because I couldn't find a cheap enough board (usually sell for 600 a piece!) So I decided to make one. First one I did like a surfboard, it broke. Then I went into a ton of research and made a sandwhich core board that has since stood up to the elements... My next prototype I'll have made in about a month and this may be the final one.

My only hinderance is cost to start, which will be 3k-3.5k. Not easy for a 17 year old to get. So instead of just wasting my time online, like I usually do. I've been looking up as much as possible to find out more about businesses and managing/starting one yourself would be. And I finally stumbled across this forum...

So... hi!

[PD1]

Sounds interesting, with this be a local business or online? both?

I live in Florida as well, it's a good place to start selling anything surf related. 3500 is a good bit for a 17yr old, shouldn't take too long if you are wise with your money. Welcome to the forums and best of luck to you!

[JayVilla]

Welcome to the forum, Kevin!

Great to see young entrepreneurs out there.

[dremos]

I'm not too worried about getting the money. I just got a new job, at a dry cleaners

Boring work, but it's all going to go to my business after I purchase a few things since I've been broke for a while (been unemployed for about a month)

The things on my list of "to purchase" equals up to about 350. After that's done, I'll be saving again for the business, about 100 each paycheck. Also have a graduation party soon which'll probably get me 3-4k. The latest I want to start my business is January, I'm really aiming for November though, I want to be in production in time for christmas.

Welcome to the forums Kevin!

Sounds like you have the making for a sound business. You also might check out SCORE as well for some sound advice as well.

[nurseagencyguid]

Welcome to the forum Kevin! Your business sounds to be very exciting! Good luck to you!

Welcome Kevin. This is a great forum, and being only 17, you are surrounding yourself with good people here. Starting young like you is exciting, and you are doing it right to do your research. When you go to market, find a unique selling point on your board and develop your marketing with it. Don't underprice it either, you want a quality image. Even just starting out, it is easy to get the reputation as cheap if you don't price it right (although you can make an introductory offer).