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Start a business at 21
作者：21ST 时间：2008-01-15
Three college grads opened a waste recycling business in Shenyang, and made a large profit. XINUHA
MANY people find the idea of being their own boss rather than a wage slave very attractive.
Fresh grads, in particular, are sometimes tempted to take the entrepreneurial plunge, instead of starting at the bottom of a steep corporate ladder.
But it might also make some people nervous. They know that most new businesses fail. So how do you go about starting a business in your early 20s? Career experts from the US News magazine has the following advice:
Don't think too big
Most top graduates are too prestige-conscious to start a business that lacks status. So, they start la-di-da enterprises, like a software company, dreaming of being the next Bill Gates. But it's too difficult. You should start a business that's down to earth – a healthy breakfast cart or a small waste recycling firm – your competitors may well be less sophisticated. You just might eat their lunch. Also, low-status businesses tend to be simple, so there's less to go wrong.
Don't just think about innovation
For newbie, it's better to copy a proven concept. There are a zillion reasons that innovative businesses fail: costs overrun, the product doesn't work as expected or doesn't impress consumers, etc. Why not produce a cheaper version of a hot product? One example – 21st Century interviewed a college girl who makes good money by making sandwiches similar to Subway but sells them just half the price. You might also find some franchise business to join in.
Be a cheapskate
The old saying "it takes money to make money" is dead wrong if you're running a simple business. A new grad, who did meal logistics rented a fancy office in Beijing's downtown area for 20,000 yuan per month. He quickly went bust. It's better to work from home. Hire help only on a just-in-time basis and pay by the hour. Buy stuff cheap by using search engines such as taobao.com and ebay.com.
Rebound
Stuff happens. But losers usually quit prematurely, while winners struggle to find solutions and overcome obstacles. You can find financial and mentoring help from institutes that promote young entrepreneurship like Youth Business China (ybc.org. cn ).
Never do anything illegal
The bottom line is money is only half the reward. Earn your money while also doing the right thing. Sleazebags can be successful, but it's not worth selling your soul for money.
cart 手推车
cheapskate 吝啬鬼
franchise 特许加盟
logistics 物流
newbie 新手
rebound 振作
sleazebag 卑鄙的人
waste recycle 垃圾回收
zillion 非常多
BONUS POINTS
go bust: 垮了，破产了
Her business went bust after only one year. 她的生意仅仅一年就垮了。
la-di-da: adj. 故作高雅的，做作的
I can't stand her or her la-di-da friends. 我受不了她或她那些惺惺作态的朋友.
take the plunge: (一番考虑后)采取果断措施
They have finally decided to take the plunge and get married. 他们终于走入婚姻殿堂。
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