Michael Dunlop is a young entrepreneur that I came to know about in 2008 when his blog, Retire at 21, featured me as one of the top under 21 bloggers. For some reasons, definitely not because of arrogance 
, I only had my first real online conversation with Michael this year, thanks to Twitter.
I followed Retire at 21 closely since last year because Michael’s content is not only resourceful, but there is something about his blog posts that makes people willingly take a step further to share them on various social media sites. Retire at 21 has gone viral numerous times on sites like StumbleUpon and Twitter.
This week, on Wayne Liew Dot Com Entrepreneur Interviews segment, I am proud to have the one and only Michael Dunlop, the person who is behind Retire at 21 and well as the community over at his young entrepreneurs forum. Without further delays, let’s get started with the interview.
Interview with Michael Dunlop, Founder of Retire at 21
Wayne: Hi Michael. First of all, thanks a lot for coming onto Wayne Liew Dot Com Young Entrepreneur Interviews, a place where entrepreneurs share entrepreneurial insights as well as their strategic viewpoint of the business that they are running.
Michael: No problem. 
Wayne: Michael, obviously, you are a prominent figure in the world of young entrepreneurs. I personally know you from the numerous lists that you have created on Retire at 21 but there might be some readers who are not so familiar with you. Can you take a few minutes to introduce yourself and describe a little bit about your business?
Michael: Hello everyone, I run the Internet’s largest website for young entrepreneurs. Although its geared towards young entrepreneurs, we aim to help people, young or old, to start making a living online. We have done over 70 interviews now with successful internet entrepreneurs who are already making a great living online. My aim is by the time I turn 22, I am able to live a life of financial freedom, basically the “internet lifestyle”. 
Wayne: Retire at 21 definitely offers a lot of great content for entrepreneurs. Michael, could you tell us a little bit on how you get started? What inspires you to choose the route of becoming an entrepreneur and start your own business instead of working for others?
Michael: It all started when I was at school and we started a business in one of my classes. I was the Managing Director and one of the team members came forward and said he would be able to create us a website. After months of waiting, he showed me a very poor "Free Webs" website and I decided to take a go at it myself.
Michael: Later that day, I visited my friend’s house and together, we built a really cool SEO-friendly website, we later won first prize for our website design and 3 other prizes including the one for the highest sales. I then found my gaming mates had started design and I worked with them, didn’t feel I was anywhere as good so I went into the field of community.
Michael: That was 4 years ago. Some of them are now labors, working at supermarkets and some don’t even have a job. I, on the other hand, have a full time income from a part time job on the net.
Michael: I came up with the idea for Retire at 21 during an UnderGround event back in September 2006 in London, hosted by Yanik Silver. I realized that there wasn’t enough done for us youngsters and decided to go out and change that!
Wayne: Looking back from the hindsight, it must have been an incredible experience.
Michael: It really was, I love the internet lifestyle, there is nothing better in my opinion. You don’t have to get up early in the morning and rush to work. I stroll out of bed, check my emails and check how much I have made. In fact, just from the start of this interview 5 minutes ago, I have seen two affiliate payments come in totaling $250. Although this doesn’t happen that often, it just shows the power of then Internet.
Wayne: That is really freaking awesome. I love scrolling through my inbox, looking at the headlines of earnings notifications. They are just great to keep you going for the rest of the day. 
Wayne: Michael, I find that blog posts and content on your blog, Retire at 21 is more than just resourceful. They encourage people to pass them on as well. From what I know, your father, Barry Dunlop, with his partner, Dean Hunt, a person whom you are pretty close with as well are great buzz marketers. How did their knowledge and expertise impacted your business, especially your blog?
Michael: Its been great hanging out with Dean and having my dad’s input. My dad has helped me a lot and has taken me to a few Internet marketing events. I think making money online isn’t just down to the hard work, you need to surround yourself with like-minded people and I am lucky enough to have at least 2 people around me who share the same interests. I wish there was more though.
Wayne: Can’t agree more on that. Entrepreneurs need to get out more and talk to people, especially those that are like-minded or the experts within the industry. Let’s say a small business owner is looking to get some attention on the Internet or to get people talking about their business. What will be the Top 3 recommendations from you?
Michael: 1. Creative content, such as an article Dean wrote, "Self improvement advice from the Devil". It makes you want to read more. 2. Interviews with top people in your niche, everyone loves reading success stories. 3. Don’t teach them how to fish but just give them the fish, everyone’s lazy, make it easy for the reader.
Wayne: Cool! People, make sure you take down the three points above if you are desperate to get some buzz for your blog. Michael, what are some of the troubles that you have to go through while running your business? Also, what is the most memorable mistake that taught you the biggest lesson about running your own business?
Michael: Biggest mistake is hosting and programming. If you are thinking about doing a new site, make sure you get a great reliable host and a programmer who knows what they are doing. If you don’t, you will see your business fall apart in front of you, sort of the "don’t build a house on sand" thing. Trouble is focus, you got to keep focus, I have taken so much time off in the past, you got to work everyday at your business or it will fail, don’t take your summer off, focus and you will be rewarded later in life I am sure.
Wayne: Moving a step back, do you think buzz marketing requires a lot of time, money and effort? If yes, will it be worth it?
Michael: Can’t really answer that, that’s one for Dean to be honest.
Wayne: Haha… OK. The question actually came to my mind because your blog content or perhaps your lists in particular, spread like wildfire on the Internet.
Michael: Well, regarding the lists, I love them because you don’t need to know a thing about your niche, in fact one of my most popular lists was outsourced and created by (Taskus.com). Lists are great link bait and people always like to read them.
Wayne: Cool. Thanks for sharing that. What pushes you forward? What motivates you to wake up everyday and start working on your business?
Michael: Everyday I wake up I have an end in mind, I see myself in the future with my life, family and the fact that I can do what I want when i want, its all about FREEDOM! So I know if I work hard now I’ll have the best feeling in the world, FREEDOM. Imagine where you want to be in the future, picture it and then write it down and look at it every day.
Wayne: What is the current main focus of your business? I know that you have a new blog up. Tell us a little bit about the blog.
Michael: I am currently working on a new project called IncomeDiary.com. It’s to showcase how successful entrepreneurs make an income from their websites every month. We hope to teach 100 people every month how to create a successful blog. It will be totally free and will have no adverts on the websites. The website will earn money from affiliate marketing, says, roughly $12,000 a month worth if it goes as planned. We will also be including a 7 day free e-Course for all readers.
Wayne: The first blog post on the blog, which is an interview with Aaron Wall of SEO Book is a nice read. Michael, before we round this interview up, are there any advice that you would like to give entrepreneurs and small business owners that are out there that will be reading this interview?
Michael: Yes, just do it. I am always saying this but the fact is, if you don’t do it now then you probably won’t ever! So take action, follow my interviews and create a website guide and make money online! For those who are aren’t sure, "Waste your money and you’re only out of money, but waste your time and you’ve lost a part of your life ~ Michael Leboeuf" The internet life style gives you time and money!
Wayne: For those who would like to learn more from you, where can they get in touch with you?
Michael: My forum. I reply to every post.
Wayne: Great. That will be http://www.retireat21.com/forum/. I am getting active there as well so apart from Michael, you can also see me there. Michael, thanks a lot for your time and we definitely appreciate the advice from you. I hope to have you on next time.
Michael: Thank you.
Afterthoughts from Interview with Michael Dunlop
Michael is a young entrepreneur filled with fire. He is always on the lookout for opportunities and he truly knows what he wants to achieve in life, which a lot of us are still unclear off.
Like Michael, I recommend all entrepreneurs, young and old, to work on your business everyday if you want to be successful. Hustling to success is my main motto and what keeps my business and Michael’s growing.
For entrepreneurs and small business owners who are no longer teenagers, this doesn’t mean that you should give up and stay put. As long as you are alive, you share the same opportunity to become successful and have the lifestyle that you have been dreaming about.
What are some of the tips that you have picked up from this interview of mine with Michael? Share it in the comments section with me.
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