Interview with Jared O’Toole, Co-Founder of Under30CEO!
I had the pleasure of getting an interview with Jared O’Toole, a 23 year old college graduate and co-founder of Under30CEO. Like many of the younger people who see the opportunity in the web, Jared puts great emphasis on the use of social communities to grow a business, blog, service, idea or what ever you’re trying to market.
Jared knew early in life he wanted more than the regular person had. His big dreams for lifestyle lead him to searching for a better way. He says blogging has created some amazing opportunities to speak at conferences and on the radio. As you read this interview you can tell Jared has a head on his shoulders and really knows what he’s talking about. He also has a real heart for people.
Interview with Jared O’Toole:
First of all Jared, tell us a little about yourself(where you’re from, where you live, college, personal life, past accomplishments etc.):
I’m 23 and live in Hopewell Jct. NY. I went to Ithaca College and got a BA in Finance in 2008. As soon as I graduated I knew I wanted to do something different and said screw the job hunt. I’ve always been one of those people that said I was going to own something like a Ferrari, a beach house, or retire early and was dead serious about it. I am very confident with everything I do and achieving my dreams and goals are always a matter of when and how not if. I am very focused on lifestyle. I don’t believe life is all about work and worrying about things like friends, family and personal happiness come way before my career or job. , a site for Gen-Y entrepreneurs. Please tell us what you’ve accomplished so far with the blog and what you intend to accomplish with it in the future:
You and Matt Wilson founded Under30CEO.com
It’s been amazing so far. We have attracted thousands of readers, spoken at conferences like CEO National and landed a radio show on Small Business Radio. The best part is we have developed a solid fan base, people that we have actaully helped go out and live their dreams. Right now we are developing products/seminars to help people develop their brand in whatever field they want. That is the future of the site right now as we move more into helping people execute their goals and dreams rather then just talk about them.
Do you see more Gen-Y(Under 30) entrepreneurs emerging or are we a rare bunch among our generation? Are we less or more entrepreneurial-minded than the generations before us?
There are more emerging everyday. With the economy still hurting people are still looking for other avenues and entrepreneurship is a big winner. Gen Y is really taking leaps and trying things out which is great to see because you will never know if you don’t try! We are definitely more entrepreneurial-minded then past generations.
Home on the Range psp I think the online world is a big reason for this. The cost to start building your brand and say land a radio show like we did has never been lower. It takes a lot of work but the possibilites to learn anything via the internet and to start testing things have never been better.
How has the Internet and social media aided younger business owners in becoming successful? How has it helped you?
For starters there is so much information on the internet. The ability to learn about whatever you want is constantly at your finger tips which is a priceless tool. Social media is also remarkable. People need to realize that things like Twitter and FaceBook make it possible to reach millions of people for FREE! Nothing has ever had such great possibilities and only costs your time.
We are learning everyday and the ability to follow, read, and watch the people at the top has helped so much. Social media has been a huge tool for Under30ceo. We use Twitter and FaceBook all of the time. Both of those networks have basically built the business to where it is today.
Has your college education assisted you in your real life career?
College definitely helps me out where I am today. Skills like speaking, writing, planning, and just buckling down for that big test can’t be overlooked. But I did stray from my major as I don’t really use my finance skills in what I am doing. If I would have known this is what I would have been doing I would not have majored in finance is basically what I’m saying. Maybe marketing would be a better choice.
How does the business world view Generation Y in terms of our credibility and potential to succeed? Have you personally ever had trouble proving yourself because of your age? Or is this more of a problem for under 20 instead of under 30?
I think they see a lot of potential in us. Our knowledge of the internet and being able to find any information even if we don’t know it off the top of our heads raises a lot of eyebrows. Credibility is something that has to be earned. I don’t think Gen Y is viewed as less credible but with any generation or any entrepreneur you have to prove you can walk the walk. I have definielty has trouble proven myself because of my age. But if you know what your talking about and can show that people will quickly change their views. I think the only disadvantage to being younger is people tag you as being less credible and it means you have to work that much harder to prove you know your stuff. People recognize someone who really knows what their doing no matter what their age.
What are you personal future goals? What do you aim to accomplish within the next 5-10 years?
Way to much haha. #1 is building Under30ceo into major brand that helps show people all the opportunities in life. In doing so I also hope to have built Under30 in a way that I can run it the way I want to. Maybe from NYC today, Brazil tomorrow and London next month. If I have made something that is helping others live it up in life and I also have that flexible life I want then I have achieved a lot in my mind.
Under30CEO.com is one of the most inspiring blogs I’ve ever subscribed to, the insights are invaluable. Who do you guys listen to and what books do you read?
Gary Vaynerchuk is one of our main inspirations. He is so passionate and energetic not to mention brilliant its hard to ignore him. Chris Brogan and Seth Godin are another 2 guys who everyone should pay attention to. As far as books go anything by Seth Godin or Malcolm Gladwell.
Under30CEO talks a lot about how important and passion is and how important goals and dreams are. There are a lot young entrepreneurs who are either just getting started or want to start a business and just don’t know what step to take. What is your advice to these entrepreneurs? buy U Turn
If you have an idea already just do it! It sounds so simple but its true. You need to make that leap because that is how you will learn. Under30CEO didn’t start with a 100page business plan. We just went for it and started getting feedback, making conversations and putting our neck out there.
If you don’t have an idea get blogging! Start writing about whatever your passionate about. This is what we teach in our courses. As you meet people, discover the industry leaders, and learn about what others are doing ideas and opportunities are suddenly everywhere you look.
Thanks for taking the time to do this interview. Please give us a few places where we can find and connect with you:
Of course on Under30CEO.com
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Twitter – @JaredOToole
Email – Jared@under30ceo.com
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