Endless free time, no responsibilities—ahh, to be young again. But wait. Kids today have been raised by the internet, wise to worldly issues beyond their years. They are concerned about the future and the kind of planet that will be left for them.
All eyes are on Gen Z and their coming-of-age Gen Alpha siblings. They are the future David Hoggs and Greta Thunbergs, and they are ready to take matters into their own hands. Some kids are even getting a head start.
Between soccer practice, schoolwork, and driving lessons, there are some kids who also run successful businesses, donating time and profits to helping others, and speaking up about causes close to their hearts.
Here, kid entrepreneurs share some of their favorite things—from sloths and STEM to bubble baths and beagles—and what it’s like being the boss of their own business.
Getting started as a kid entrepreneur
Kids with entrepreneurial dreams can get their start (with an adult’s help) before they’ve even hit middle school. While a lemonade stand is the quintessential first foray into entrepreneurship, technology has made it possible for young children to run different types of businesses.
Young people can invent products to solve world problems, sell handmade goods, or offer door-to-door neighborhood services. There’s a business idea for every kid’s personality.
Kids who struggle to learn in a typical classroom environment can learn life and business skills like managing money and speaking to the public. Parents can encourage kids to start their own business to help them gain confidence, build their résumés, and earn money for college.
24 business ideas for kids 💡Learn how your kids can start a company before graduation. Encourage your young makers, creators, and inventors to cash in on their talents and learn valuable skills.
Meet 8 inspiring kid entrepreneurs
Explore the lives of eight ordinary kids with not-so-ordinary hobbies. Find out how they made their dreams a reality and, with the help of the adults who believed in them, started their own businesses.
1. Riley Kinnane-Petersen, age 13
When Riley developed an interest in jewelry and dress-up, her two dads scrambled to gather cast-off necklaces from friends and family. Riley then dismantled these hand-me-downs to make her own designs—and sold them at front yard lemonade stands.
Seven years later, those re-worked necklaces are the basis for Gunner & Lux, a business that counts Nordstrom and J.Crew among its high-profile customers. The dad- and daughter-run store promotes girl power, too, through kids’ t-shirts with slogans like “All of my heroes are women” and “My dad is a feminist.”
Riley on future goals: “When I grow up, I want to continue my business. But if not, then I might become a chemist. Or a vet.”
Meet Riley
2. Oliver “Ollie” Fequiere, age 9
Ollie relies a lot on Mom and Dad to help him run his bath and storytime business, Fizzies & Fables. But don’t be fooled by his age—he’s involved in everything from ideation to product testing. When he’s not playing guitar or Minecraft, Ollie likes to help with making and wrapping bath fizzies. He’s not sure what he wants to be when he grows up, but he’s building an impressive résumé.
Ollie on relatable heroes: “I watched the Black Spider-Man in Into the Spider-Verse—I have seen it many times. He is brown, and he lives in New York. And I have the Spider-Man costume too. We have a lot of things in common.”
3. Jahkil Jackson, age 15
Jahkil is an active kid who loves basketball and tap dancing, but his empathy muscle is the one that gets the most flexing. At just 15 years old, he already has several years under his belt. When he was just five, he started Project I Am, an organization that provides the necessities of life to his local homeless community.
If that wasn’t impressive enough, Jahkil is also a published author, runs an online merch store, and loves being a motivational speaker at events across the country. He even once met President Obama.
Jahkil on getting started: “I wasn’t really scared. I actually had a lot of support, and I was all pumped to do it. I was like this super happy, energetic kid. Mom will probably disagree.”
4. Piper Williams, age 11
When Piper Williams was four, she didn’t like wearing underwear made for girls, preferring her brother’s boxers instead. That’s when she had an idea: start a clothing line and sell boxer shorts for girls. With the help of her older brother, mom, and dad, Piper’s idea bloomed into My Pipers, a business that keeps the whole family busy.
Piper on her brand’s biggest fans: “A lot of kids think it’s really cool, and we have teachers who have our hoodies. And a lot of our friends wear our boxer shorts.”
5. Lily Harper, age 9
One of the youngest kids on this list, Lily Harper started her business after her mother Chloe pulled her out of school during the pandemic. Traditional home-schooling proved difficult for her, and Chloe decided to help Lily start a makeshift business. When that business found an online community and actual customers, Lily and mom decided to upgrade from playing store to running a store.
Lily Lou’s Aromas is an online shop selling products sprung from Lily’s own imagination—candles and scents in all her favorite colors. While the brand has grown and Lily has a team of helpers, she’s still calling all the shots.
Lily on the future of her company: “My next big goal for my business is to own a warehouse and be in big stores!”