Young and Stupid

Zane · 02-18-06, 11:36 AM

Does anyone else find that the attitude to young people and business is always negative? It’s hard being a young entrepreneur and having to carry the stigma of being under 18. I also think its annoying the way clients will trust you less if your younger, even if you have a great portfolio they'll pick the person who is worse but older. If you are young, you are stupid and irresponsible as well as unreliable, thats the way it is nowadays apparently.

Has anyone else suffered from this ageist internet?

**Avix** · 02-18-06, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zane

Does anyone else find that the attitude to young people and business is always negative? It’s hard being a young entrepreneur and having to carry the stigma of being under 18. I also think its annoying the way clients will trust you less if your younger, even if you have a great portfolio they'll pick the person who is worse but older. If you are young, you are stupid and irresponsible as well as unreliable, thats the way it is nowadays apparently.

Has anyone else suffered from this ageist internet?

I hire people based on portfolio and price not age, infact I dont even know how old a few of my team are.

If it causes you that many problems why not just say your 28 or something, if you are doing business online they wont know your true age unless you tell them.

I am only 20 and meet all of my clients in person, many of my older clients prefer it since I have been around computers pretty much my entire life and used them at school and college etc... whereas they know very little and find it more difficult to learn about it.

I have never had anyone comment or refuse to work with me because of my age.

Zane · 02-18-06, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avix

I hire people based on portfolio and price not age, infact I dont even know how old a few of my team are.

If it causes you that many problems why not just say your 28 or something, if you are doing business online they wont know your true age unless you tell them.

I am only 20 and meet all of my clients in person, many of my older clients prefer it since I have been around computers pretty much my entire life and used them at school and college etc... whereas they know very little and find it more difficult to learn about it.

I have never had anyone comment or refuse to work with me because of my age.

Lying like that is not a good way to do business. If they find out your real age and youve lied that can cause serious problems with the client.

**Avix** · 02-18-06, 12:07 PM

Well if you are capable of doing the job it doesn't make much difference to the client.

I know someone who is in his 50s and works for other companies, to get the job he says he is in his 40s. He has the oposite problem whereby he is considered too old, but is very good and experienced at his work.

**Anthony** · 02-18-06, 01:18 PM

I started at the age of 14, and it was very hard.

You make very little money in your early years, but the hard work pays off as soon as you hit age 18. People take your ability and your status a lot more seriously.

Super Mod · 02-18-06, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zane

Lying like that is not a good way to do business. If they find out your real age and youve lied that can cause serious problems with the client.

I would never lie about my age, but there's no reason to advertise it. However, if they ask you your age, you should be honest and tell them. They'll respect you more for that.

SophMedia · 02-18-06, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spencer

I would never lie about my age, but there's no reason to advertise it. However, if they ask you your age, you should be honest and tell them. They'll respect you more for that.

Exactly, only tell them as much as they ask.

A lot of the problem that I see (coming from someone who is just 18) with working with a minor is that generally they take the easiest way out. This is on anything, I mean goto a highschool and look at what people do to shortcut things. Likewise, say someone gets started on a project, gets frustrated, and then just drops the project and ignores the person. Happens all the time..

g1c9 · 02-18-06, 04:42 PM

I'm 14 and deal with the problem like this:

First, I present my portfolio and let it sink in, and then I tell them a little about myself, including my age. If my age bothers them, I tell them not to hire me.

I get enough work coming my way to not have to beg clients to disregard stuff about me they find questionable.

Super Mod · 02-18-06, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g1c9

First, I present my portfolio and let it sink in, and then I tell them a little about myself, including my age. If my age bothers them, I tell them not to hire me.

I wouldn't see that you would have to tell people your age: only if they ask.

Quote:

I get enough work coming my way to not have to beg clients to disregard stuff about me they find questionable.

You shouldn't have to beg them. I agree.

ambience · 02-18-06, 05:33 PM

Its unfortunate but from what I have seen odds are just against you.
Kids are the only ones who have tried to scam me
Act really immature from get go
Or you say nah don't want it or something then they have a little rage fit
So just in general a good majority act really immature and sad cause then they tarnish the good loyal trustworthy under 18 year olds.

But way it goes...