I've read a few cool stories on GFY.. it's always nice to hear more. Nothing wrong with someone that starts off with money, but someone that build everything from nothing gets a little more respect in my eyes.
I had a lawn service when I was in high school. I was in DCT (school work program lets you out of school early to work) well I had a guy I knew sign my papers and I claimed I worked for him. However in reality I was running my own lawn business.
I bought a house on my 21st birthday and started buying and selling cars shortly after. I decided to get legal and got my used car dealers license and was doing ok with that. I then had the opportunity to get into the floor cleaning business and did ok with that.
By the time I was 25 I was pretty much burnt out and started letting things go and fucked up and lost it all. Spent the last 4-5 years thinking about what I did wrong and what I'm doing next.
Needless to say it's hard to get motivated when you busted your butt for a long time to only lose what you had in less than 6 months. How's that for a success story, least I can laugh about it
