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The creator of the OMGFacts Web site and Twitter account happens to be only 17 years old. He emailed me recently to ask for my help with his senior project, which deals with the business of social media today. He’s putting together interviews with several people he looks up to within the social media circles, and asked if I would give him a hand. Community contributor Lamarr happens to be a good friend of his, and recommended that he contact me. I’m happy to help!

• In your own words, what exactly is it that you do? I do a lot. I consult in a business capacity, produce content (such as blogs and videos), and help people [in] finding solutions. What I enjoy is seeing pieces scattered in front of me and making them all fit together to make them come up to [be] something totally different. Usually, this works out really well. For instance, I was surfing online the night before the Super Bowl and found a Chrome extension [that could] help mute or filter tweets. I knew that a lot of people would not want to have to see the football talk, so decided to help others out. I asked one of our editors, Jake, to write up an article to spread the message.
• At what age (and how long ago) did you start using the Internet? The first time I got online was in 1992. I think I was 18 or 19 years old. I was hooked from the first email I sent. This was long before there was a “Web.” I figured out a few years later how to carve a career using the Internet. I could write and communicate well, and finding new software and technologies. I put those things together, learned how to generate revenue, and was off with a bang.
• Briefly, how did you get to where you are now? Nonstop effort and work. This is a job just like any other. A lot of people try to do this same thing, but not everyone can. You have to always be there, pushing yourself every single day. You have to have a specific mindset and a whole lot of determination. I’m constantly looking at trends and shifting focus as needed. You have to stay on top of everything.
• How long did it take to get to where you are? I’ve been at this for fifteen years now, longer than some of you have even been alive. It will take even longer to get to where I want to be.
• Where do you see yourself in five years? I would hope that I’m closer to retirement by then! I’d like to expand into making more of an effort to help others do what they want to do. I’d like to turn more into a media agency and not have as much content of my own.
• How much money could I expect to make doing what you do? This kid could likely make more money selling OMGFacts than I will ever see in this lifetime. I can help with that! I can monetize the heck out of anything. Keep building on what you’re doing. You should be generating enough money to live off the interest.
• What has been the most significant change in your life due to the Internet? My career wouldn’t exist without the Internet. Much of my personal life is tied into my online life. The change would simply be dreaming up and creating my career. I graduated college with a degree in English education. Obviously, I’m not a teacher!

I have no doubt in my mind that you will one day end up being my boss. Yes, that was facetious. Good luck with your project – and your own career!