I've always considered myself an extremely creative person and one who had a mind for business. Being able to develop an idea from scratch, make it a tangible product, and having your own creation ultimately lead you to success, always always always has been a dream of mine.
I've always loved hearing about young guys and college students rising up and making such revolutionary products. What I love about it is that a few young minds can conjur up a product that can achieve great success, often times more than big corporations have been able to do. Almost a rooting for the underdorg type of situation.
At first, I thought that reaching such a goal was one that would be almost impossible, but, as I began attaining knowledge about the entire scene, I soon realized that launching a startup is incredibly feasible. Seeing YouTube, Facebook, Digg, etc. launch and become such revolutionary products in our time, and the fact that all these were started by relatively young guys who had great ideas, allowed me to believe that a young, smart college student such as myself could actually achieve my dream of dreams.
Being in a university atmosphere where I have met others with similar aspirations of starting a startup has also imbued me with fiery motivation. The support, diverse minds, and desire for success that I have been immersed in throughout my university experience has done wonders in stirring up my drive.
All of these together have inspired me to attempt at starting my first startup.
I hated all forms of entertainment(music, movies) until 12 or 13 and loved coding. Funnily my start-up today is about music.
-Zaid
I first started hawking things to old ladies when I was six. Both my parents have owned several businesses over the years. Finance, law, and business have always fascinated me. Aside from a brief stint where I wanted to be an astronaut, every single ideal future I've seen for myself has had me working for myself.
I also really don't like 'working'. I like being in control of my own destiny, having a boss isn't good for that. I like feeling useful, most jobs I've had I didn't get that feeling. I want to be exemplary, but doing tech support made me feel mediocre at best.
As for web startups, it's a simple matter of math. I can't be passionate about something I don't care about and it costs less to start a startup than a restaurant. I'm not a genius by any stretch, and reading about some of the people who have been picked for YC... I'm a little in awe. But I do get computers and coding very well. It's something I know how to do and is hard enough to be challenging.
I want it for the freedom, the challenge, and a chance to make a difference in the world. A pile of cash would be a nice bonus, but isn't needed. Just as long as I have enough to live comfortably.