Oh god! This is a stupid question but what do you think?

If you're starting IM now and are still in school then likely by the time you graduate you will be a hugely successful internet marketer making scads of money. Not only that but you'll have a degree in physics. You'll be a highly sought after son in law if you ask me.

Ask yourself this: who has more job security - the business owner or the employee?
I've yet to run into an owner who's fired or laid off himself.

Additionally, I think your plan is solid. Continue to build your IM business while you further your education. This gives you options and many of them. You're going to want access to those options someday. You're young. Life has a way of throwing twists and curves at you. Prepare yourself today for the unexpected future ahead.

As far as women go, a woman wants a man who is his own man - comfortable in his own skin and confident in manner - not someone who is controlled by the thoughts of others (well, other than her, anyway...).

Be yourself, whoever that is, and you'll find a fitting counterpart. Parents be damned.

According to the millionaire mind (survey of 1371 american millionaires) more people have become millionaires from owning a business that had a unique idea than any other profession, yes even doctors. Keep it in mind. Make sure you do something no one else is doing and avoid the me-2 gen.

i will have to agree with Dan.

work on your IM business and still further your education.
if you are persistent and consistent you could be highly successful
with your internet business and be making alot more then most doctors.

if a girl or her parents don't like or approve of you being a entreprenuer
then you will just have to move on. there many fishes out there in the sea.

I guess your girlfriend told you her own views, not her parents'. And believe me, she will mention that whenever you talk about IM or marriage. This will certainly hinder your motivation and dedication.

Some people are born to work at a day job and some others are born to be a business owner. If that's what you are feeling, then go for it. Do not care whatever others think about what you are doing. Do not shape your future based on your girlfriend's parents' opinions. Those who have no idea how profitable it can be running a business, especially an online business, would always prefer to have a "secure" day job even if you make 10 times more with your own business.

Do not bother explaining them what you are into and how you will make money etc. Show them the money when you get to that point, because that's really the only thing they are interested. Not the job, not the security, only the money.

You are very young and it is really nice that you started IM. If you take massive action and start building long term income streams, there is no reason you would need a day job at the time you graduate. And then you will have the confidence to talk to your parent-in-laws.

Sorry but if you have plans about doing a MSC in physics, I don't think you will be able to dedicate yourself to IM full time and make big money. Because that shows you yourself have the feeling of insecurity (unless you are a big fan of physics). Because, as far as I know, physics isn't something that we use in the IM world.

There are really two different answers to the question you asked.

Yes, you can make a good living from internet marketing

BUT

The social status is much lower, especially in countries such as India and not having a day job is generally frowned upon by the older generations (parents/grandparents).

Your social status will have a great deal of influence in gaining the approval of your girlfriend's parents or grandparents.

If you decide to pursue internet marketing - make sure you get as much information as you can to present to those that have concerns. Write a list of questions you think they will ask, or reasons why they believe a day job is better and make sure you have the answers ready to give them

Good luck

The average employee is making less and less and is getting fired and laid off more and more often while the business owners and internet marketers are making more and more. Internet marketing is the future and a lot of people still do not understand it, but it is what makes just about every business run.

This is very much true in India. The echoes of the caste system still linger, and the idea of someone making their own future and forging their own path remains foreign and frightening to the older generation.

An advanced degree will help to offset this, but you're setting yourself up to be frowned upon. If you intend to remain in India, I would recommend getting yourself a good, reliable passive income from IM... then getting a "real" job doing something a girl's parents would approve. Since you won't really care about the money from your job, you can take the soul-enhancing jobs where you work for charity organisations and such. That counts for a lot.

It also sounds like your girl best friend wants to pull out the word "best" and shove the other two words together. I could be wrong, but it sort of seems like she's prodding in that direction.

Money is the ultimate determining factor. If you can generate income that matches an engineer or doctor, then I'm sure her parents will not think twice about making you their son-in-law!

If you earn a good salary from your IM it shouldnt matter to them, you could take that money and invest it properly, which will give you "wealth" which is better then being rich and so on, and the fact that you have a degree to fall back on is security. I have my own business, do IM and have a degree myself. As long as you can get IM right, you have nothing to worry about, you could even do IM on the side if you had a day job.

Just my thoughts, don't mind.

What is your goal - marrying the girl or setting up a full time IM business?

If you are successful then everyone will support you but if you are not nobody is going to listen you or whatever you want to do (marrying the girl).

If she can motivate you to be successful in IM (you need loads of motivation) then go for it. What does she think about your this decision? If she says she will support you regardless of whatever happens then she is the girl for you.

If you are thinking about parents then you need to make sure you satisfy their criteria to marry the girl & to do this you need to make them believe that your have got your future secured with IM or a day job whatever.

Again these were just my thoughts, whatever you do, I wish you success.

Cheers
Ciel!

The average person is grown up on the ideal that you should become a good worker. Become a good employee over being a good employer. It is taught by our school systems, govt., media, parents and everyone else around you. If that is what you want to become; average, then do what you're taught and told to do. Otherwise, stop listening to average people -- Stop adapting to their state of mind. To become extraordinary; listen and learn from those that have broke free and deviated to a path much less taken and succeeded.

My best advice to you is be cautious whom you listen to and be certain you are listening to those who are self employed about "if" you should be an employee or a business owner.

I am a business owner ( age 48 and married ) who is very successful and I have 20 full time employee's working in my 2 physical locations. I promise you that my employee's have great deal of security, less pressures, and never have to worry about getting paid next week-next month-next year. I as the owner have all those worries and many many more.

The security of a very good career without all the related issues involved in business ownership has certain appeal as well. I am in the USA and do not fully understand your culture but, the right answer needs to be qualified by you and only you in your exact situation.

I personally spend more time worrying about taxes, regulatory issues, employee HR issues, insurances, law suits, marketing and competition, financing for growth, meeting payroll's, and the many-many other things related to ownership and less time enjoying success.........this is just more food for thought. Ownership of a virtual business would be less demanding yet can be much less secure.

Should your IM business take off while in school, you will have new and real path choices to make. I think it may be great to enjoy the income from IM while in pursuit of your traditional career. Should the IM income develop into a valid-high enough income to consider full time, I feel it will create the validation and respect be given to you by others.

Lastly, your vocation and expertise could be developed into your IM niche and your education would be great validation and credibility to separate you from others within that niche.

Best wishes in your future, you will decide what is best for you and at 19, it may also be that another woman is a better choice as well, who knows ?

Enterpryzman

Your girlfriend (or girl best friend, whatever...), she maybe pretty now, but you can count on the fact she'll grow out of it someday (No offense to anybody. But, come on, doesn't everybody? Unless of course, she's going for the whole package of cosmetic surgery and stuff in which case you'll require to be a businessman, anyway, to fund those as there ain't lot of hope of her making any great deal of money.) But you've got to live with the person inside of her all your life. If she is of the same opinion as her parents, would you want to live with someone with this attitude for the REST OF YOUR LIFE? I'm not judging anybody. Some people are okay with a day job and they do okay. Almost everyone I know fall into this category, inluding my parents.

There was a suitor for my sister (you know, arranged marriage... She is married now) who had some kinda business. I never met the guy. But, his business was one of the reasons mom didn't like that guy. And when I asked what was wrong with owning a business, she didn't give me any logical answer.

And, besides, if she is not your girlfriend (yet), I can assure you that there a lot more of liberal folks out there these days. Don't sweat it already. Find a girl with sane parents. LOL. Choose wisely, live well.

BTW, I'm 18 and from India too. Maybe we could go looking for a bride together (or maybe not).

Sumit.

Since you are only a 2nd year student, another two years of IM will defintely earn you some amounts. And hopefully by the time your are through with your MSC in physics, much more will have come your way hence placing you a better position as a sort son in law. Just keep at what you love to do. The rest will always work out over time!

Youngchild I agree. Why would ANYONE LOL!?!?!? Yeah, a lot of people DO figure a JOB is more secure. I guess India has experienced that just like the US. In the US, that idea is quickly DISINTEGRATING! The SAME is true of most of europe! Just wait! India THINKS they are benefitting from most of this. That was just starting to become far less true. The actions of your government will only make things WORSE! Within a few years, india COULD find that the growth is virtually ZERO and some people who are NOW rich may wish they had saved more.

India, until recently, didn't really experience some of this. If you can prove you can make money, have a good backup strategy, and have enough to start, your job should NOT be a concern.

Of course, the Indian government has decided that THEY want to get rich TOO, so t is getting harder to do IM there. Paypal may STILL not really support the area.

Steve

A physics degree will be highly sought after, parents will love you!

If the parents don't accept you, you could always just elope. You don't need their permission if you love somebody.