Ever wondered what it takes to ditch a stable job and dive headfirst into running a business you know nothing about? At 23, one young man did just that, trading spreadsheets for soft-serve machines. With no experience, he bought a frozen yogurt shop, learned the ropes through grit and curiosity, and now leads a company raking in millions. His story isn’t just inspiring—it’s a roadmap for anyone itching to take a leap into entrepreneurship. Let’s unpack how he turned a bold move into a thriving empire and what you can learn from his journey.
The Leap from Desk Job to Business Owner
Picture this: you’re 23, fresh out of college, crunching numbers in a cushy finance job. The pay’s decent, the office is sleek, but something’s missing. That was the reality for a young man who, in a moment of audacity, decided to leave his asset management gig behind. With $160,000 in savings and a hefty $400,000 in loans, he bought a frozen yogurt shop in Manhattan. No prior experience, no industry connections—just a gut feeling and a willingness to learn.
It’s the kind of decision that makes most people pause. Starting a business is daunting enough, but jumping into an industry you barely understand? That’s next-level courage. Yet, this young entrepreneur didn’t let inexperience stop him. Instead, he embraced it as a challenge, diving into the deep end with a mindset that prioritized action over perfection.
You don’t need to know everything before you start. Sometimes, you just have to jump in and figure it out as you go.
– Young entrepreneur
Learning the Business from the Ground Up
When he first took over the shop, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. He spent months working behind the counter, scooping yogurt, restocking toppings, and chatting with customers. This hands-on approach wasn’t just about keeping the lights on—it was about understanding the business from the inside out. Every sticky spill and customer complaint was a lesson in operations, customer service, and the art of keeping people coming back.
I’ve always believed that the best way to learn is by doing. Reading books or watching tutorials can only take you so far. For this entrepreneur, the real education came from trial and error—figuring out what worked through real-world experience. He experimented with marketing strategies, tested new store opening tactics, and learned to adapt on the fly. It’s like throwing darts blindfolded: you miss a few times, but eventually, you hit the bullseye.
- Customer feedback became his compass for improving service.
- Employee insights helped streamline operations.
- Marketing experiments revealed what drew crowds.
Scaling from One Shop to a Franchise Empire
Fast forward a few years, and this 23-year-old novice was no longer just a shop owner. By 2022, he had taken the reins as CEO of the entire frozen yogurt chain, overseeing 40 locations. Under his leadership, the company saw same-store sales climb by over 10% year-over-year, with systemwide revenue hitting $20.6 million in 2024. Not bad for someone who started with zero industry know-how.
What’s the secret to scaling a business like that? It’s not just about working hard—it’s about working smart. He focused on building systems, hiring the right people, and staying open to new ideas. Rather than micromanaging every detail, he empowered his team to take ownership, which allowed him to focus on the bigger picture: growth, branding, and innovation.
| Business Stage | Key Focus | Outcome |
| Initial Purchase | Learning Operations | Mastered day-to-day management |
| Early Growth | Marketing & Branding | Increased customer traffic |
| CEO Role | Scaling & Systems | $20.6M in revenue |
Why You Don’t Need to Be an Expert to Start
One of the biggest takeaways from this story is that you don’t need a PhD in business to succeed. Too many aspiring entrepreneurs get stuck in analysis paralysis, waiting for the “perfect” moment or the “right” amount of knowledge. But as this young CEO proved, action often trumps preparation. You learn more by doing than by planning.
Think about it: if he had waited to become a frozen yogurt expert, he might still be crunching numbers in an office. Instead, he took a calculated risk, leaned on his team, and learned through experience. It’s a reminder that entrepreneurship isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about being willing to find them.
Experience is the best teacher, but you have to show up to class.
Other Entrepreneurs Who Learned on the Fly
This isn’t a one-off story. Plenty of successful founders have jumped into industries they knew little about, learning as they went. Take the former securities trader who bought a struggling snack company in 2011. With no food industry background, he reinvented the brand and sold it for a reported $750 million. Or the CPA student who ditched his exams to start a streetwear business, learning everything from manufacturing to marketing on the job.
These stories share a common thread: a willingness to embrace the unknown. It’s not about being reckless—it’s about trusting that you can figure things out. As one founder put it, “You learn so much when you’re in the thick of it.” That’s where the real growth happens, both for the business and for you.
- Take the leap: Start even if you’re not fully prepared.
- Learn from others: Listen to employees, customers, and mentors.
- Adapt quickly: Test ideas and pivot when needed.
Overcoming Challenges as a Young Entrepreneur
Starting a business at 23 comes with its share of hurdles. For one, securing funding isn’t easy when you’re young and unproven. This entrepreneur took on significant debt to buy his first shop, a move that could’ve backfired. But he mitigated the risk by immersing himself in the business, ensuring every dollar was well-spent.
Another challenge? Credibility. When you’re barely out of college, convincing employees, suppliers, and customers to take you seriously can be tough. He overcame this by showing up, putting in the work, and proving his commitment. Over time, his results spoke louder than his age.
Perhaps the biggest hurdle is self-doubt. It’s easy to second-guess yourself when you’re learning on the fly. But as I’ve seen in countless success stories, confidence grows with experience. The key is to keep moving forward, even when the path feels shaky.
Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
So, what can you take away from this story? First, don’t let inexperience hold you back. Whether you’re dreaming of opening a café, launching a tech startup, or buying a franchise, you don’t need to know everything upfront. The real magic happens when you start, stumble, and keep going.
Second, surround yourself with people who know more than you. Employees, customers, and mentors can offer insights you’d never find in a textbook. Finally, embrace failure as part of the process. Not every marketing campaign will work, and not every decision will be a winner. But each misstep is a chance to learn.
Failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s part of it.
– Business mentor
How to Start Your Own Business
Ready to take your own leap? Here’s a practical roadmap to get started, inspired by this young CEO’s journey:
- Identify your passion: Find a business idea that excites you, even if you’re not an expert.
- Do your homework: Research the industry, but don’t wait for perfection.
- Secure funding: Explore savings, loans, or investors to get started.
- Learn on the job: Dive in, work hard, and absorb knowledge from those around you.
- Scale smart: Build systems and teams to grow sustainably.
Starting a business is like planting a seed—you don’t need to know how every branch will grow, but you do need to water it and give it sunlight. With time and effort, that seed can become something extraordinary.
The Power of Starting Young
There’s something special about starting a business in your 20s. You’ve got energy, flexibility, and a willingness to take risks that might fade with age. This entrepreneur’s story shows that youth isn’t a barrier—it’s an asset. Without decades of experience, you’re free to think outside the box, experiment boldly, and pivot quickly.
That said, starting young doesn’t mean you have to be reckless. It’s about balancing ambition with strategy, dreaming big but planning smart. For every young founder who makes it, there’s a story of hard work, late nights, and lessons learned the hard way.
Final Thoughts: Your Turn to Take the Leap
The journey from a 23-year-old novice to a multimillion-dollar CEO isn’t just a feel-good story—it’s a call to action. You don’t need a perfect resume or years of experience to start a business. What you need is courage, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. Whether you’re flipping burgers, coding an app, or dreaming of your own franchise, the first step is always the hardest.
So, what’s holding you back? Maybe it’s fear of failure, lack of expertise, or just not knowing where to start. Take it from someone who’s seen countless entrepreneurs succeed: the only way to find out what you’re capable of is to try. Who knows? A few years from now, you might be the one sharing your story of turning a bold idea into a thriving business.
The best time to start was yesterday. The next best time is now.
Ready to make your mark? The world’s waiting for your big idea. Let’s get to work.
