From Student to Company Owner

The Journey of an Entrepreneur

Natahn KEMP

1/6/20252 min read

Every entrepreneur’s journey starts somewhere, and for many, that journey begins in the most unexpected of places. For me, it began as a student, with a curiosity and a desire to carve my own path. The idea of working for someone else didn’t appeal to me, so I dove into the world of side hustles.

It all started with day trading at the age of 1—well, technically not “day trading” as we know it, but the concept of learning to make money work for me. At first, I stumbled through the ups and downs, trying to understand the ebb and flow of markets. But as I gained experience, I started refining my strategies, and day trading became my first glimpse into entrepreneurship—risk, reward, and learning from mistakes.

Next, I ventured into drop shipping. It was a new world—one that seemed like the dream business. No inventory, no physical storefront, just a laptop and the world at my fingertips. I learned how to create an online presence, handle customer service, and optimize products. But like all great lessons in business, drop shipping wasn’t a long-term solution for me. The profit margins were slim, and I wanted more control over the process.

That’s when I took the leap into self-manufacturing goods. First came jewelry. I found suppliers, learned about materials, design, and production. The moment I saw a product go from concept to reality was an exhilarating one. From there, I expanded into alcohol production. The process was both challenging and rewarding, pushing me to explore new avenues, regulations, and ways to create products people loved.

The road from student to company owner wasn’t linear, but it was full of lessons that no textbook could teach. I learned about resilience, innovation, and the importance of following through, even when the odds seemed stacked against me. Entrepreneurship isn’t just about success—it’s about navigating the failures and turning them into steppingstones.

Looking back, I see how each phase of this journey taught me something valuable, and how they all led me to where I am today. The hustle never stops, but it’s the drive to keep evolving that makes it all worth it. From side hustles to full-blown business ownership, I’m proof that with persistence and a willingness to adapt, the entrepreneurial journey can lead to success beyond what you ever imagined.