Last Updated on September 6, 2024
These young entrepreneurs are leading the way in their field before they can even drive. But for many of today’s kidpreneurs, age is just a number. After all, Richard Branson started his journey to entrepreneurship at just 16. These entrepreneur kids are even giving Mr Branson a run for his money!
From their passion and enthusiasm to their determination to succeed, there are most definitely a few lessons we can learn from these child business moguls. If you’re an entrepreneur or are looking to get started with your entrepreneurial journey, here’s a little inspiration to help you on your way.
Isabella Rose Taylor
At the tender age of 12, Isabella had already started to build her fashion business empire. After discovering her talent for sewing, she began to produce her own clothes and even sold her own collection at Nordstrom.
This kidpreneur now sells her own clothes online and has featured in a number of magazines including Forbes, Teen Vogue and Entrepreneur. Isabella told Entrepreneur “starting a business is a lot of hard work. Don’t start a business unless you love what you do. Do a lot of research and planning to make sure there is a market for your product.”
After graduating from Parson School of Design with a degree in Fashion Marketing (at the age of 16), Isabella has recently gone on to study at NYU and has even delivered her own ted talk entitled ‘dare to dream big.
What can we learn from Isabella?
Her passion for the fashion industry, along with the way she encourages us to dream big and never fear failure, is certainly something to be admired. Pretty impressive for someone who has recently turned 18.
Henry Patterson
Between the ages of 10 and 14, few children are concerned with money and their financial future – but Henry Patterson believes it’s important for all kids to learn about the value of money. When he was just 10 years old, Henry created his children’s lifestyle brand Not Before Tea. During its launch in 2014, it was the fastest growing children’s lifestyle brand in the UK.
The brand sells cards, nursery decor and wash bags around the characters in his book (yes, this 10-year-old kidpreneur also wrote a book). The Adventures of Sherb and Pip has been a
huge hit with customers in the UK and US, and now 15-year-old Henry has gone on to release an entrepreneurial children’s book called Young and Mighty.
What can we learn from Henry?
Henry believes it’s incredibly important for children today to learn about business, which is something we can definitely agree on. With school systems often failing to deliver vital lessons on the value of money and business, Henry’s book could be extremely useful for kids today.
Mikaila Ulmer
Like most children, Mikaila’s first stepping stone to entrepreneurship started with a lemonade stand outside her home in Austin, Texas. However, Mikaila found a niche in her lemonade stand at the age of 11. This niche came from a somewhat unfortunate week for Mikaila in which she was stung by two bees in the space of seven days!
After being stung, her curious side decided to research bees and discovered how important they are to our planet and ecosystem. After reading all about the plight of the world’s bees, she created a product to help save them.
Me & the Bees Lemonade is a flaxseed and mint infused lemonade drink that is sweetened naturally with honey from local honeybees. For every bottle she sells, Mikaila donates a percentage of the profits to charities working to save our bees.
What can we learn from Mikaila?
To succeed as an entrepreneur, find a niche that makes people passionate about your business or brand. Compassion can also go a long way on your journey to entrepreneurship.
Ollie Forsyth
At the age of 13, Ollie Forsyth created his first business Ollie’s Shop (an online gift shop for teenagers) after being inspired by British businessman, investor, author and philanthropist Richard Branson. Like Branson, Ollie is dyslexic and struggled at school, often being bullied and getting told by teachers he was lazy.
Since then, Ollie has founded The Budding Entrepreneur Magazine along with The Makers Podcast, a podcast featuring conversations with some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs.
What can we learn from Ollie?
Turn your biggest weakness into a success. Ollie told entrepreneur: “I see too many people with great ideas, but they do not pursue them as they are afraid to. Just get on and do it!”
Alina Morse
At just seven years old, Alina discovered her sweet tooth wasn’t so great for her health, so she sought a solution. From this, Zollipops was born – sugar-free lollipops that are actually fine for our teeth! With a 100% natural and vegan recipe, the sweets are sweetened with xylitol, maltitol syrup, beetroot juice and stevia.
Alina started the company using savings from her grandparents and soon started to sell the sugar-free lollipops online and in stores. Michelle Obama loved Alina’s idea so much that she was even invited to the White House – twice!
What can we learn from Alina?
If there isn’t a solution to your problem, why not create one? Alina told entrepreneur: “Always keep asking questions. You can do anything if you work hard, try and believe in yourself and never give up!”
Getting started with your entrepreneurial journey
If you’ve been inspired by kidpreneurs just like we were, and you’re ready to kick-start your journey to entrepreneurship, here are a few tips that could help you get on your way.
- Research and understand your market. Find a niche just like Mikaila Ulmer
- Put in the hard work. Nobody is saying it’s going to be easy, but it will definitely be worth
- Get the right support. Other businesses out there could prove essential to your success, such as an accountant. Accountants for entrepreneurs are extremely beneficial as they can help ease some of the financial pressure on you and your business.
- Listen to your customers or clients. After all, they’re the most important aspect of your business. Without them, your business is just an
