Entrepreneur at Sixteen

During the last few years, Nicholas Smith has made significant achievements in the different aspects of education and life that have made him a notable person. 

It all started in 1999 when Nicholas was selected to embark on a trip to the Hollywood Park Racetrack and Casinoâ. He visited the graphics department and met Kevin Allen, a graphic artist. From there Norm Cravens, the community relations director, noticed the computer knowledge possessed by Nicholas and called his good friend James Nyman, the former director of the city of Inglewood information technology department. He told Mr. Nyman that volunteering for city hall could further facilitate Nicholas’ technology skills. That day Mr. Nyman met with the Smiths and immediately hired both Nicholas and his equally talented twin sister Nichole.

From there he went on to design the Web site for the city of Inglewood and Nichole processed traffic tickets for the city’s traffic department. 

He did this for four months until school began again and then he decided to create his own business, originally called the Nickslick Club, an online service that helped people with their computers. After about a year with this business, he decided he wanted to do more. His main goal was to create an online service that included all types of people. It just so happened that penpals (or e-pals as they are called on the Internet) were the perfect match. In about four months, in addition to his schoolwork, he designed the Web site at www.netfriendsonline.com and named his brand-new company NetFriends Online. With help from his family, he even developed the slogan, “Meet new friends and MUCH more!”

During these working months in 1999, he finished the site and the foundation for the company, and has been maintaining it ever since. Nicholas is the chief executive officer, and Nichole is the executive vice president. This effort really paid off for the two, because now they have a great company and experience in business administration. The twins’ goal is not simply to work for someone, but to open their own business to help those in need and not to be worth more than a paycheck.

Because education is of the utmost importance, there’s no room to let NetFriends Online interfere with the duo’s schooling. That was a rather easy task though, because they complete their studying before dealing with the company’s affairs. 

Nicholas plans on entering UCLA in the fall of 2003 with a major in computer science and a minor in political science. He became interested in government and politics after visiting with senators and assemblymen during a trip to Sacramento, California. 

Though one may say, “Wow, he did ALL of this?” He has advice for young people across the nation. He says he has done nothing but merely explored new ways of what he considers fun. He suggests that you should find out what you like to do and explore ways to make it bigger. Anything is accomplishable. “Do not let what anyone says discourage you from accomplishing great things and thinking that you are capable,” Nicholas says.

Click on the links below to hear audio.

1. How is Netfriends Online preparing you for college?
2. Are you planning on keeping up with your business during college?
3. Do you have any words of advice for other young entrepreneurs?