Young Wealth: Trade Secrets from Teens Who Are Changing American Business [Paperback]

Jon Swartz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2006

It's no secret that in this age of high-speed Internet and readily accessible information, the tools are available for anyone to start their own company. At least, not to a growing number of teens who are utilizing these tools every day. From computers and retail to sports and entertainment, these teens are making an impact in a myriad of occupations. With chapter-length profiles on 15 amazing teens who are leading a new generation of young entrepreneurs, Young Wealth reveals the secrets to their stunning success. Far from being motivated by money, these young business men and women possess common traits necessary to attain their entrepreneurial triumphs: an insatiable curiosity, intense passion, creativity, and the love of helping people. Coupled with hard work and a few lucky breaks, these teens have gained immense respect in the very adult world of business. Among this eclectic group featured are: -Ben Casnocha, a 17-year-old business wiz who started his San Francisco-based software company when he was 12; he regularly meets with venture capitalists and high-tech executives in between serving as captain of his high-school basketball team and editor of his school newspaper. -Rachael Piltch-Loeb, a 16-year-old jewelry maker who has raised thousands of dollars for cancer research by selling her handmade jewelry online. -Graham Bensinger, a 19-year-old Syracuse University student who is already a cottage industry in sports broadcasting; he hosts a weekly sports radio talk show, contributes to ESPN.com, and has conducted major interviews of sports legends Muhammad Ali, O.J. Simpson, Pete Rose, and Jim Brown. Offering a glimpse into 15 unique teen worlds, Young Wealth delves into the motives, methods, and uncommon maturity of these young entrepreneurs and illustrates the blueprint for those who want to follow in their lead.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jon Swartz is an award-winning reporter with more than two decades of experience covering technology and business at several publications, including USA TODAY, San Francisco Chronicle, and the London Independent. His series of stories with fellow USA TODAY reporter Byron Acohido on cybercrime won the Society of American Business Editors and Writers Best in Business Projects Award and was a finalist for a Gerald Loeb Award for Distinguished Business and Financial Journalism Award in 2004 and 2005. Swartz lives in San Mateo, CA.

Product Details

• Paperback: 165 pages
• Publisher: Rooftop Publishing; 1st edition (September 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600080138
• ISBN-13: 978-1600080135
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #137,693 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and inspiring, November 16, 2007

By 

Michael Mccoy (Dublin, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Young Wealth: Trade Secrets from Teens Who Are Changing American Business (Paperback)

This is an incredible book. I've sent it to several talented and innovative teenagers to further inspire them. Just reading about what other highly successful young people have done and how they went about it can really open new doors for young minds.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quick Read from a Library, August 21, 2008

By 

Fun Life - See all my reviews

This review is from: Young Wealth: Trade Secrets from Teens Who Are Changing American Business (Paperback)

I borrowed this book from the library. It was a quick read. 18 chapters, each gives a brief overview of a young success story in different areas.

This is a book I would suggest any adult read that is teaching an entrepreneur course or a parent who has a child showing interest in doing something that deals with selling anything.

The neat thing is that none of these teens had a lot of starup money. Quite a few of the examples center arount the Internet or "computer world" but others do not, including a young lady who got into sign making, another one that is into modeling. One example is a sports writer, another person makes jewlery.

Each chapter ends with a picture of the teen and a very brief "How I Did It' section.

Brief excerpts of this book could motivate kids of various ages and interests. Each chapter could be bolied down to three or four paragraphs and used in a class or home school group as a jump off discussion point.

Some of the research I have read indicates that if a child is exposed to "business" before the 8th grade it often sticks.

The bottom line is there is never a better time to innovate than when there is nothing on the line except effort and possibly a little money. Doing things like this before you have deep and long term obligations is really the best time. This book also shows that there really is not an age when you are simply "too young" to try an experiment.

A neat book.