Like many entrepreneurs, I launched my first business venture in the basement of my parents’ house. I was ten years old. My best friend and I were stuck inside on a cold winter Saturday. We were bored—until we had an idea.
Looking around at the games and sports equipment that filled the basement of my house (note the ping pong table in the background!), we thought we could turn the whole playroom into an indoor carnival. We created our own games of skill and chance and decided that each carnival guest would pay a small fee to play. However, it wasn’t about making money. We had decided to donate all the money we earned to charity. What we wanted most was to create something of our own and see if anyone would want to come and enjoy it.
It was a small carnival, but for us, it was a big success. Our friends came, we raised some money, and most importantly, we had a blast. That one afternoon didn’t launch an ongoing business, but it sparked something deeper: the excitement of building an idea from scratch and the chance to do some good as a result.
The spark that drove my friend and me to turn my basement into a carnival is the same spark that fuels innovators, leaders, and changemakers. Curiosity, ingenuity, and creativity are instincts children already have—and they need to be encouraged, challenged, and refined as children grow. Entrepreneurship education does just that. It’s not about drafting business plans or calculating profit margins; it’s about cultivating a mindset that embraces possibility, tackles problems from fresh angles, and sees opportunities where others see obstacles.
Entrepreneurial education helps students of all ages develop the skills and mindset that will benefit them both in the classroom and in life, today and in the future, in so many ways.
It Builds an Entrepreneurial Mindset—with Purpose
Entrepreneurship encourages students to think beyond the classroom—to notice problems and imagine possibilities. But it also asks a powerful question: “Who am I helping?”
An entrepreneurial mindset grounded in empathy helps students become not just creators, but changemakers. It teaches them to consider the needs of others and how they might make a difference in their communities and beyond.
It Makes Learning Relevant and Hands-On
Experiential learning brings academic subjects to life. For example, when students work on real-world science challenges, they get excited to tackle environmental problems they care about, such as improving water quality, reducing pollution, or slowing global warming trends. This type of challenge makes school more engaging and helps students see the “why” behind what they’re learning.
It Builds Flexibility and Resilience
When students generate ideas, test them, and learn from failure, they build persistence and resilience. Entrepreneurship education helps students understand that setbacks are part of the process—and that they need to adapt, adjust, and try again. Technology innovation is an area where this is especially important. Students who build websites, mobile apps, and online games learn that testing and revising are a critical part of the development process.
It Strengthens Problem Solving, Creativity, and Compassion
Through entrepreneurship, students learn how to approach real-world challenges from multiple angles. They brainstorm, test ideas, and solve problems creatively—but they also learn to listen, observe, and design with others in mind. One area where students have lots to add is on the topic of teen mental health struggles. Young people feel deeply and see their friends struggle with increasing levels of anxiety. Innovative solutions such as “a time-out lounge within the school building” or an “Empathy AI” mobile app that’s accessible and private are a few of the new and different ideas we’ve heard from young people on this topic.
It Prepares Students to Be Innovators and Global Citizens
The world needs problem-solvers and innovators who can adapt, collaborate, and work together through points of difference. Entrepreneurial skills such as teamwork, flexibility, and persuasive speaking are key. By learning to think and work like entrepreneurs, students will be ready to tackle important challenges now and in the future–whether they’re facing a boring Saturday afternoon or the opportunity to create an innovative life-saving technology.
A Sweet (and Sour) Classic
A lemonade stand is an easy way for kids as young as five years old to have their first entrepreneurial experience. A lemonade stand is simple yet requires you to consider all the important components of starting a business–product, price, promotion, location, and competition. Of course, you’re not limited to lemonade—selling muffins, cookies, and other baked goods is an easy addition. We suggest that parents or teachers provide a small start-up budget and require children to pay back their start-up costs before earning any money.
No Business is Too Small
We encourage middle and high school kids to start their own small businesses. We often call them micro-businesses, and it doesn’t matter whether kids run their business for a day or a year. There’s a lot to learn either way. Handmade product businesses offer kids the chance to make their own inventory and sell it at a local event, farmers market, or even online. Baked goods, handmade jewelry, soap, and candles are a few examples. Many kids enjoy starting a service business like mowing lawns, tutoring, giving music lessons, and babysitting. Social media and online selling give kids the chance to test their products against competitors in the same field or product category.
Pitch Perfect
There are many entrepreneurial contests that offer school-age kids the chance to present an entrepreneurial idea and win great prizes. Elevator pitch challenges or big idea contests give kids the experience of brainstorming an original business opportunity and presenting it in the form of a pitch presentation or video, without ever having to start the business.
Opportunities are Everywhere
Junior Achievement, Scouting America, Girl Scouts, 4H, DECA, school spirit stores, and many, many more local and national organizations allow kids to learn about and experience entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurial learning starts with giving kids the space to be curious, the encouragement to try, and the support to keep going when things don’t work the first time. When adults nurture these instincts, students gain more than business skills—they develop confidence, empathy, and a lifelong mindset for growth and problem-solving. Or at least the neighborhood’s best carnival!
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