Sean Kelly is a 21 year old college dropout and lifelong entrepreneur. He currently runs Jersey Champs – the largest jersey company in North America. He told me his passion is revolutionizing the jersey world with unique designs that haven’t been seen before.
1. Humble Beginnings
Q: How did you get started and what or who inspired and empowered you to?
I started Jersey Champs in my college dorm room. As far as inspiration goes, I had it from the start. I have been selling my whole life. In elementary school I was selling candy. I was a merchant in nearly every video game I played (Maplestory, RuneScape). Buying items for cheap and selling them at a higher price, my brain was simply addicted to it. I was actually suspended in 5th grade because I was selling so much candy that eventually the teacher found it and it was apparently against the rules. Ever since then I had never been a fan of the public schooling system as it does not promote entrepreneurship. It’s not my fault I was out selling their vending machines.
Q: What unique and creative strategies if any did you use when you were first getting started?
The way you learn how to sell is simply to go out there and do it. Each and every customer is a new experience and you adapt under circumstances. My online experience started with a site called SwagBucks which simply paid you in “SwagBucks” everytime you referred someone to join their platform. I quickly rose the rankings and became in the top 100 in the world through replying to questions on Yahoo Answers and Quora on how to make money online. I realized it was much easier to make sales online then in person, so my days of selling candy would officially be over.
2. Mindset
Q: What mindset distinguished you from others who were doing the same thing? How did you develop it?
I possess an insane, almost unhealthy work method that comes from my mother. I can work 15-18 hours a day no problem for weeks on end if needed. I choose business over sleep in most circumstances. I developed it originally in school from working really hard on my academics, and transferred it over into something I was truly passionate it, which was business.
3. What is your definition of success?
Success to me is being able to do your job happily while supporting your family and lifestyle comfortably. You don’t need to be a millionaire to be successful. You just have to be happy and financially comfortable enough to live modestly.
4. Failure
Q: What do you think is the main reason why some people face failure when going after their vision?
Failure is inevitable and it is a part i love about business. Every time I have failed I have came back 10 times stronger. Gary Vee made me realize how great failure actually is for your business as it is a mere stepping stone on your path to the other side of the river. i believe the main reason people fail is not financially related. It is the mindset. I started Jersey Champs with just $1,000 and have turned it into a multi-million dollar company. If you don’t have the drive to work your ass off while starting a business, then you probably shouldn’t start one.
5. What is the best piece of advice you have received or came across and would like to share with everyone?
“The truth is that finding happiness in what you do every day is so imperative.” – Gary Vaynerchuk
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