My dream of becoming a successful businessman began in the sixth grade when a friend and I intended to build a website for math tutoring. My main motivation was just to make money so I would be less dependent on my parent. The idea was short-lived, however, because, as per usual for kids my age, we wanted this entire project to be our original work. This rather counterproductive mindset eventually led to the proposition of building the website from the ground up using html instead of a web builder like Wix. I didn’t know how to code, nor did I really have any experience with website design. A lesson I would learn much later on in life: Don’t set your goals too high from the beginning unless you want to end up disappointing yourself and taking a hit to your self-esteem.
The website start-up died off, but my ambition for entrepreneurship did not. In the latter years of middle school, I acquired a taste for fashion design, and in the beginning of high school decided to pursue the creation of a clothing brand.
Unfortunately, at the time I still had yet to learn my lesson – I decided to learn sewing and screen printing in order to create my very own clothing line. This idea peaked after I created my very first t-shirt. It looked horrendous, and the printing process made the whole house smell, but I was proud of myself for my first creation. Though proud, I did not want to repeat this process ever again, and that marked the end of my second business idea, through burnout.
The next year, some of my friends motivated me to get back on my horse with the idea of a jewelry brand. This time we were only in charge of the designs and would send the designs to suppliers to help us create the actual product. We were never able to find a supplier, though, and contacting potential suppliers was difficult. In the end, this business was put on hold, although we might develop it again in the future. My favorite design I made was a panda gold necklace, which I would like to someday have in real life.
The final business idea I participated in was one that Daystar Academy gave me the opportunity for. It was through a program called Ventures for Change, where we would create businesses for global change, whether that be supporting mental health or sustainable development.
Our team focused on sustainability and decided to sell coffee cups made from leftover sugar cane pulp created as a by-product of sucrose sugar production. The program allowed different groups to give a pitch about their venture for a chance to win investment money. Our project involved promoting the usage of eco-friendly cups through a numbering system on the cups where each cafe or restaurant would number each cup sold restarting each week. My team received the silver prize for our pitch, winning RMB 8,000 in investments.
We’ve also recently developed a concept to promote responsible waste disposal of biodegradable material by designing an “eco-monster” trash can that is specifically for biodegradable waste products in order to promote faster decomposition of the materials.
In the world of business, it’s difficult to finally find a start-up that would actually turn to be something real. It took four businesses and the help from many people in my life – my peers, teachers, and family – for me to even begin my latest venture. Turning towards adulthood, I aspire to eventually become a businessman too, but the reminder of my past failures will encourage me to not give up when faced with defeat, because life has many opportunities to give.
Business, as with any other career path or many goals in life in general, requires endurance and perseverance. When you dedicate yourself to something, it doesn’t matter how slow you go, or how many different approaches you take to reach that goal. As long as your engine is still running, you will inevitably reach your destination.
About the author:
My name is Alvin Wang. I am a 2024 high school graduate from Daystar Academy. Throughout my childhood, I spent a large portion of time outside of China, living abroad and traveling across many states in the US. I live a life that constantly tests my adaptability to new life situations, new people, new languages, and new environments.
As I grew, I naturally became very attentive to the idea of new experiences; that was all I ever knew. Many of the actions I took as a student growing up were mere reflections of the way I was raised, my many attempts at business, and the different forms of martial arts that I took. In the end, while I would criticize myself for not sticking with anything for an extended period of time, I also am glad that I chose to become acquainted with many different paths that I’ve chosen to take.
Entering the stage of adulthood now, I have tested many paths to determine which one is truly meant for me, and I will be ready to fully submerge myself in my own path now. The main lesson to take away, if any, from my childhood, is just to have fun with trying new hobbies, or activities, even if it means temporarily setting aside another. One’s childhood is full of opportunities to develop passions, and for you to route your mind towards your true goals. Once you’ve found your true purpose, then, by all means, pursue it.
But until then, take it easy. After all, life is about enjoying time on this special planet.
Images: Alvin Wang, Pexels
