Cameron Johnson

Entrepreneur and Author

 Why work for someone else when you can call the shots?

JOSH: At just 15, you were already on the board of directors of a company. What advice would you give to teenagers wishing to follow in the same footsteps?

 CAMERON: The most important thing you can do is to put yourself out there. You must take the first step to start your business and to go for it. So many times I hear people, of any age, say that they don’t have enough money, or don’t have enough experience, or maybe they don’t have enough connections…whatever the excuse, forget it. I started when I was 9 and what I didn’t know, helped me learn and be hungry to find success.
 

JOSH: What do you believe are the keys to success as an entrepreneur?

 CAMERON: Many startup entrepreneurs believe they need to find investors, but I preach the exact opposite: Start small. Start small, find out what works and what doesn’t, and then grow over time. Not only does this mean you’re taking on less risk, but it lets you be more nimble to grow the company over time and adapt to your customers and your market. It’s also much easier – and quicker – to be profitable when you start small. When entrepreneurs pitch their ideas and budgets to me, the first thing I do is look for ways for them to do the same thing with 1/2, 1/3 or even 1/10 the amount of money they think it will take.

JOSH: According to the 2010 annual job satisfaction survey published by The Conference Board, only 45 percent of Americans are satisfied with their work. The numbers are even worse for those under the age of 25, where 64 percent report being unhappy at work. Is it realistic to be “happy” at work or is this just some B.S. our “self-esteem” movement parents brainwashed us with?

 CAMERON: I don’t think it’s unrealistic at all to want to be happy at work. You have to find something you’re passionate about and in turn, you’ll be that much more of a better worker. The number may be higher among young people because they studied one thing in college, and then took a job in another field – or perhaps their expectations weren’t realistic. Many of the best entrepreneurs started their business because they weren’t happy in their job and they knew there had to be a better way…

 
JOSH: What’s the biggest career mistake you’ve made and what did you learn from it?

CAMERON: Looking back and having 12 companies before I turned 21, many have labeled me a “serial entrepreneur.” I don’t consider that a bad thing at all because it gave me an even broader experience and even more startup experience. As soon as I was bored with one company, I’d sell it and move on to the next idea. Being 26 now, however, if I were starting a business – I would look more long term instead of “what’s next, what’s next.” I would definitely take a more long term approach today, however as a kid and just getting started, it was all about stepping stones.