If a 13 Year Old Can Launch a Startup, Why Can’t You?
Friday, January 9, 2009 0:06 - By The DavidI recently read about an entrepreneur named Scott Campbell. This past November, he launched ScotBlog - a blogging and social community for those of Scottish heritage around the world. It appears to be the first site of its kind. In a little more than a month, the site has already attracted 70 registered users and 10 groups. It can definitely be considered a success, especially considering one major detail – Scott is only 13 years old.
It’s not his first foray into technology though. In 2006, he won a contest sponsored by British Telecom. It was a nationwide competition encouraging young people to help older people learn to use computers and the internet.
Scott created a lesson plan, learning materials, and even report cards. Then he used them to teach his mother and grandparents to use the internet.
Scott’s reward for winning? Recognition from a Member of Parliment, and a new laptop. He seems to have put it to good use in the subsequent two years.
I find Scott’s story compelling. Not only did he think of a unique idea, but he put it in motion and saw it through to completion. Now he is the CEO of his own company, again, at only 13 years old.
We could all learn a lesson from Scott. With fewer resources and less experience, he has accomplished what most of us never will. If he can do it, we have no excuse for not pursing our own goals and dreams.
