Youth entrepreneurship is a term that refers to children who are also business people. While most entrepreneurs are adults, people can and do start businesses while they are children or adolescents. In fact, children often start businesses that are successful or even become entrepreneurs who start more than one business before they reach the age of majority. Many are able to make this happen with little help from adults, though they may need their parents or guardians to sign legal forms on their behalf.
Just about anyone with entrepreneurial spirit can start a business, and this applies to children as well. Children have long done odd jobs, such as washing cars or raking leaves for money, but interest in youth entrepreneurship seems to be growing. Instead of just earning money from odd jobs here or there, some children are taking an interest in starting their own businesses and deciding when and how they will earn money.
Youth entrepreneurship can refer to any type of business a child or adolescent chooses to start. For example, a youth may choose to start a babysitting service or a car-washing business. Others may make a business out of providing lawn care or running errands. Sometimes youth entrepreneurship interest drives young people to start businesses on the Internet. For example, a child or adolescent may create a blog and monetize it, create websites for clients, or take advantage of money-making opportunities on online auction websites.
Other businesses a youth might consider are those that involve making things and fulfilling needs in a community. If a young person has a crafting talent, he may use it to make money in his business; for example, some make money designing and sewing while others craft handmade toys. A child or adolescent might also notice a need for a product in his community and then set out to invent a product that fulfills that need.
A child or adolescent may venture into youth entrepreneurship on his own or with the help of his parents. There are even some organizations that specifically focus on providing help for young people who want to become entrepreneurs. An interested party can also find helpful youth entrepreneurship books and websites. It is important to note, however, that even a child who starts a business entirely on his own will likely need some assistance from an adult who is responsible for him. Typically, he’ll need his parent or guardian to sign any legal documents required for starting or conducting the business.
