Business Insider · 23 Oct, 04:36 · Business briefing

Gary Vaynerchuk knows where he'd start if he were 16 and launching a business today

Gary Vaynerchuk, a prominent entrepreneur and social media personality, recently outlined his advice for a sixteen-year-old starting a business today.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Gary Vaynerchuk, a prominent entrepreneur and social media personality, recently outlined his advice for a sixteen-year-old starting a business today. Speaking to Business Insider, he emphasised the importance of leveraging current digital platforms to build an audience and establish personal brand equity early. His guidance suggests that immediate action on accessible content creation tools is more valuable than waiting for perfect conditions. The commentary highlights that modern entrepreneurs should focus on consistent output and direct audience engagement rather than traditional, slower business development methods. This perspective underscores a shift towards digital-first strategies for early-stage ventures, prioritising visibility and community building as foundational elements for long-term commercial success in the current economic landscape.

Employer demand for Digital Marketing skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

You must recognise that personal branding is no longer optional; it is a core career asset. Gary’s advice signals that visibility and audience trust now drive opportunity more than traditional credentials alone. You should prioritise skills in content creation and digital engagement, as these directly influence your professional marketability. Smart professionals will immediately audit their online presence, ensuring it reflects their expertise and values. You need to learn how to communicate complex ideas simply across social platforms. This shift means that roles requiring public influence and digital literacy will see increased demand. Do not wait for permission to share your insights. Start building your network authentically today, focusing on value delivery rather than self-promotion. Your career trajectory depends on your ability to be seen and heard in a crowded digital space.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Digital Marketing, Social Media Advertising, Small Business Marketing and Strategic Marketing — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.