Ask HN: 'What do you want to be?' How to explain you want to start startups?

It's just because your are a teenager that you have issues with getting people to understand wanting to start on your own. Just tell hem what you want to do and if they don't get it well, even my mom thinks I'm nuts. She keeps telling me how she doesn't understand that I have a degree and know a lot about computers but I make way less then her friends working as a tech support guy for a large corp with a 2 year associates degree.

All I can do is hope she will understand one day when it works. If it doesn't well, can't win all the battles.

I just like to build new things, like creating your own art, something to call your own. Sometimes it solves a real problem, sometimes it is just something you feel the world needs. I like the challenge of trying to sell it. The money that may come with it is great and it is a way to keep score. Some like the fame and attention it brings but others just prefer to be known quietly and proudly as the creator. Whatever it is, it is probably one of the coolest thing you will ever do.

I used to be a teenager not to long ago. (Im 21 now) But I started just like you did.

I wouldnt worry about how to tell that you wanna start a startup. Just start it. This is the only way they will understand or maybe accept that THAT is what you want to do with the rest of your life.

You say 'I want to run my own software business.' Be warned, this will annoy some people.

Tell people you have a bold vision of the future. And that you're planning the launch of a company to make it happen.

(btw, if you don't have a bold vision of the future start thinking harder)

Say "I want to be an entrepreneur".

Passionate, excited, committed and successful.