Starting a business as a young entrepreneur is a wild, exciting, and sometimes seriously overwhelming ride. You’re full of energy and ambition, but also navigating a world of unknowns. Recently, I had a chat with Lenn, a 19-year-old founder from Germany, about his startup journey – and he didn’t hold back when it came to sharing what not to do.
Lenn’s path started in the most unexpected way:
🥚 At 15, his best friend dared him to sell 30 eggs door-to-door.
Fast forward to today, and his company now delivers over 3,000 eggs every month to 150 households. Talk about humble beginnings turned entrepreneurial hustle! 💪
Here are Lenn’s 5 biggest mistakes – and what he learned from each one:
1. Perfectionism Slows You Down
💡 “You don’t have to reinvent the wheel.”
Waiting for the perfect moment, perfect product, or perfect plan? Don’t. Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. Just start. Your idea will evolve as you go. Focus on building, testing, learning, and iterating quickly.
Try this: Launch a simple version of your idea and collect feedback ASAP. Momentum > mastery in the early days.
2. Too Many Ideas Kill Focus
Being surrounded by other creative minds is inspiring… and distracting. New ideas fly around every day, but constantly chasing the next “big thing” will get you nowhere.
Lenn’s advice?
Pick one idea and go all in. Execution beats endless brainstorming.
3. Don’t Let Your Startup Fade Away
Many startups don’t fail loudly – they fade silently. One skipped task turns into a week, then a month… and the dream dissolves.
To fight this slow fade, Lenn built a system:
He scheduled weekly actions, no matter what. Even small steps compound over time.
Pro tip: Set mini-goals each week and celebrate the wins – even the tiny ones!
4. Accountability Boosts Progress
Got a co-founder? Amazing. Don’t? No problem. What matters is that someone holds you accountable. A like-minded community or mentor can push you to stay consistent and aligned.
Find your crew: Whether it’s a Discord group, a mentor, or a local youth innovation hub – accountability = acceleration.
5. Bureaucracy Shouldn’t Stop You
For example, in Germany, you can’t register a business under 18. But Lenn didn’t let that stop him – he found workarounds (like registering through his parents until he turned 18).
Lesson: Obstacles can often be solved with creativity and a little guidance. Ask questions. Research. There’s almost always a way forward.
Lenn’s story is a reminder that age doesn’t define your potential. Passion, persistence, and people who cheer you on? That’s the real recipe for entrepreneurial growth. Are you looking for a supportive community of young changemakers? Look no further! Join the Moonshot Pirates community on Discord.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out the stories of 9 incredible young female founders here.
