How I Started a Business at 15
(Because No One Would Hire Me)
Hey. My name is Dylan.
I started this company when I was 15. My Mimi calls it a “side hustle,” but honestly, it started for a pretty simple reason—I wanted a car when I turned 16.
That’s it. That was the goal. So yeah… this company actually launched on my 16th birthday.
But the reason it even exists in the first place is because no one would hire me. I was 15. I mean… who actually has real work experience at that age?
Turns Out, It Wasn’t Just Me
At first, I thought it was just my problem. But then I started talking to people. My friends were dealing with the same thing. Some of my mom’s friends too. Even some of my Mimi’s friends.
Different ages, same issue. They didn’t have “work experience”… at least not the kind jobs ask for.
But they had real life experience.
And that’s when it hit me.
My Mimi Changed Everything With One Sentence
One day I was doing what every 15-year-old does… complaining. I told my Mimi I wanted a car.
She looked at me and said:
“Then maximize your skill set and make money.”
No long speech. No lecture. Just that.
Now, my Mimi—the one in the photo with me—is a powerhouse. I could tell you her story, but I don’t want to make you cry. Same with mine. That’s not what this is about.
What matters is this—she sees things differently.
The List That Started It All
So I took what she said seriously. I got on my computer and typed out every skill I knew I had. I grew up around computers, so that’s my thing. That’s where I shine.
Then I showed the list to my Mimi.
Now, for context, my Mimi has been self-employed longer than I’ve been alive. She started her first business back when:
- The first text message was sent
- Barney was everywhere
- Nirvana dropped Nevermind
- Sir Mix-a-Lot was talking about big butts
- Miley Cyrus’ dad had a mullet singing about his “achy breaky heart” in jeans that were way too tight
Yeah… the 1900s. And she’s still going strong today.
One Skill Turned Into Fifteen
When she looked at my list, she didn’t just read it. She started breaking it down. She’d point at something and say:
“Oh, so you can do this… which means you can also do this… and this… and this…”
One skill turned into like 15. That’s when I realized something:
People have way more skills than they think… they just don’t know how to explain them.
Also, now I understand why my Mimi always has like three jobs at once. Her brain literally never stops.
Then It Just… Took Off
After that, everything kind of happened fast. I started helping people with their resumes.
- My friends.
- My Mimi’s friends.
- My mom’s friends.
- People on the beach.
- Even some of my friends who are homeless.
I grew up in Southern California—we don’t ignore people, we talk to them. Some of them have been there for me when other people weren’t. And they had experience too. They just didn’t know how to put it into words.
So I helped them.
The “BAM” Moment
Every resume I made, I showed my Mimi. She’d review it, point things out, challenge it. I’d fix it, improve it, and then—
These resumes didn’t look like “no experience.” They looked like people with 20 years of experience. Like executive-level resumes. Because the truth is… the experience was already there.
It just needed to be reframed.
The Deal That Made It Real
My Mimi told me if I stuck with it and saved my money, she’d make me a deal. On my 16th birthday:
- She would match everything I saved
- And help me turn this into a real business
So I did. And now I can officially say… I’m getting a brand new Toyota 4Runner for my birthday. And launching a business.
Not bad for something that started because I couldn’t get hired.
My Mimi’s Role (And Why She Won’t Take a Dollar)
My Mimi is part of this business too. She handles the compliance and risk side—that’s what she does. I tried to pay her. She refused.
So instead, the money I would’ve paid her is going to two of our favorite charities:
- One that helps animals
- And one that helps people living in their cars
Because this was never just about making money.
The Bottom Line
That’s our story.
If you’re trying to level up your life, get a job, or just figure out how to present what you actually know how to do… I hope I can help.
Because chances are… you already have what you need. You just need to reframe it.