What It Takes to Be an Entrepreneur: A 20-year-Old's Hard-learned Lessons

My name is Brian Ouma, and I’m an entrepreneur.

A year ago, I was in Form 4, juggling textbooks and dreams. Today, I’ve already worked with companies that have shown me the heights of success and the depths of deception. I’m only 20 years old, which means I’m not a grizzled veteran with a decades-long story. I’m one year into this wild ride, but it’s been a year packed with more lessons than some learn in a lifetime.

People often think entrepreneurship is about a brilliant idea and becoming an overnight millionaire. I’m here to tell you it’s not. It’s about grit, gut feelings, and learning how to tell the real from the fake.

This is what I’ve learned it truly takes.

The Foundation: It’s Not What You Think

Before we talk about strategy, we have to talk about heart. The business plans and marketing tactics come later. First, you need the right foundation.

1. Passion is Your Fuel, Not Your Map.

I do this with passion.You hear that all the time, right? But passion isn't just excitement. It’s the thing that keeps you going when you lose money, when a deal falls through, or when someone you trusted lets you down. My passion for building something real is what got me out of bed after a failed project. It’s the fuel, but it doesn’t tell you which road to take. For that, you need the next ingredient.

2. A Student’s Mindset.

You will never know it all.The moment you think you do, you’ve already failed. I started at 19 with more ambition than knowledge. I was a student in class, and I had to become a student of business. I read, I asked questions, I watched, and I listened—especially to the mistakes of others. Being young in this game is an advantage if you’re humble enough to learn. Your youth means you’re flexible, you adapt fast, and you aren’t set in your ways. Use that.

The Real-World Classroom: Spotting Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

This is the part of my story that shaped me the most. In just one year, I’ve worked with brilliant, legitimate companies and I’ve been burned by convincing, fake ones. Getting scammed or misled isn’t just a financial loss; it’s an emotional gut punch. But it taught me how to build a radar for authenticity.

Here’s my simple guide to distinguishing a real opportunity from a fake one:

· Real Companies Have Details. Fake Companies Have Vague Promises.

  A legitimate company can explain the "how." How does the product work? How is money made? How will you get paid? If you get answers like "it's complicated" or "just trust the system," or if they promise huge returns with little effort, run. A real company is transparent about its process.

· Real Companies Build Value. Fake Companies Sell Dreams.

  Does the company’s pitch focus on helping you get rich quick, buying a flashy car, and retiring at 25? Or does it focus on solving a real problem for real people? Builders talk about value. Scammers talk about lifestyle. Focus on what you are building, not what you are buying.

· Trust Your Gut. It’s Smarter Than You Think.

  There were times when a deal looked good on paper, but something felt… off. Maybe the people were too pushy. Maybe the story had too many inconsistencies. I’ve learned that this gut feeling is your brain connecting dots your conscious mind hasn’t yet. If it feels wrong, it probably is. It’s better to walk away from a good deal with a bad feeling than to get trapped in a bad deal that looked good.

This skill—spotting the real from the fake—isn’t taught in school. It’s earned through experience, and sometimes, through pain. But it’s one of the most valuable tools you can have.

A Message to My Fellow Young Dreamers

If you’re young and reading this, feeling that fire to build something of your own, here is my direct advice. This is what I wish I knew when I was sitting in Form 4, dreaming of the future.

1. Start Before You’re “Ready.”

You don’t need a million dollars or a university degree to start.You need an idea and the courage to take the first step. I started while still in school. Sell a service, create a digital product, help a local business with their social media. Start small, but start now. Action beats planning every single time.

2. Your Network is Your Net Worth.

The people you surround yourself with will lift you up or drag you down.Connect with other young, hungry entrepreneurs. Find mentors who have been where you want to go. Avoid people who drain your energy or mock your ambitions. The right circle will open doors you never knew existed.

3. Embrace the Suck.

The journey will be hard.There will be days you want to quit. You will face rejection, failure, and doubt. This is not a sign that you’re on the wrong path; it’s a sign that you’re on the real path. Everyone fails. The entrepreneur is the one who gets back up one more time.

4. Celebrate the Small Wins.

You probably won’t build a billion-dollar company in your first year.So, celebrate the one-dollar company! Celebrate your first client. Celebrate positive feedback. Celebrate learning a new skill. These small wins are the bricks that build the foundation of your confidence and your business. Don’t overlook them.

5. Never, Ever Trade Your Integrity for a Quick Win.

In a world full of fake companies and get-rich-quick schemes,the most valuable asset you have is your name and your reputation. Be honest. Deliver on your promises. Treat people right. It might feel like you’re moving slower than others, but in the long run, integrity is the fastest path to sustainable success. People remember who they can trust.

The Bottom Line

Being an entrepreneur isn’t a job title. It’s a mindset. It’s about seeing problems as opportunities and having the courage to build a solution, even when you’re scared.

I’m Brian Ouma, I’m 20, and I’m just getting started. I’ve seen the fake, and I’m committed to building something real. If I can do it, so can you.

Your journey won’t be easy, but I promise you, it will be worth it.

Now, go build.