Teen entrepreneurship continues to grow, with 66% of teens aged 13-17 saying they’ll likely start a business as adults. This interest spans genders – 61% of teen girls and 54% of boys have considered launching ventures. The timing is perfect, as colleges now value entrepreneurial experience more than ever in admissions decisions.
Starting a business shows initiative, demonstrates practical skills, and helps applicants stand out. For teens ready to join this movement, asking the right questions before starting can make the difference between success and frustration.
At WIT (Whatever It Takes), we’ve worked with over 10,000 young entrepreneurs since 2009. We recommend these five questions to help teens build strong foundations for their business ideas or turn their passion into a side-hustle.
1. What problem am I genuinely passionate about solving?
The best teen businesses start with real interests rather than what might impress college admissions officers. This matters especially since 58% of teen entrepreneurs are more likely to start a business if it connects to a social cause.
Many young entrepreneurs chase trendy opportunities instead of focusing on issues they care about. This approach often leads them to quit when challenges emerge. Genuine interest helps teens continue when obstacles appear – a critical skill since colleges increasingly value resilience and initiative in their admissions decisions.
Example: A teen passionate about sustainability might start an upcycled fashion business on Depop or Poshmark, transforming second-hand clothes into unique fashion pieces. Their authentic interest in fighting fast fashion waste gives them purpose beyond profits.
2. What skills do I already have, and which ones will I need to develop?
Young entrepreneurs often underestimate their existing talents while thinking they need more preparation. While the average age of startup founders has decreased to 28, many successful entrepreneurs start much younger—13% of adult entrepreneurs launched their first business at 18 or younger.
Teens should list their current abilities, then identify what they still need to learn. The entrepreneurial process itself teaches many necessary skills. With nearly 30% of teen entrepreneurs starting businesses in technology fields, digital skills prove particularly valuable, but specific ventures may require different capabilities.
Example: A teen with photography skills might start a portraiture or event photography business using their smartphone and basic editing apps. They can use their eye for composition immediately, but might need to develop client management and pricing skills as they grow.
3. How will this fit into my current commitments?
Managing business responsibilities alongside school presents a real challenge for teen entrepreneurs. Before launching, creating a realistic schedule with specific times for business work helps prevent burnout.
This planning matters especially since 60% of teen entrepreneurs consider social media very important to their business success—a platform that requires consistent attention and content creation. Balancing these demands with academics requires careful time management.
Example: A teen interested in content creation might start a YouTube channel focusing on weekly uploads rather than daily content. They could film and edit on weekends, leaving weekdays free for schoolwork. During exam periods, they might prepare content in advance to maintain consistency.
4. Who can support and guide me through this process?
Every entrepreneur needs advisors. Before starting, teens should find potential mentors who can help navigate challenges.
This support becomes especially important considering only 4% of teen entrepreneurs receive outside funding. Most young founders self-fund their ventures, making careful financial guidance crucial. Organizations like WIT and entrepreneurship competitions connect teens with experienced business owners who offer valuable ideas without financial investment.
Example: A teen starting a local lawn care or car washing service might connect with a family friend who runs a small business to learn about pricing, customer service, and basic accounting. They could also join local young entrepreneur meetups or online communities for peer support.
5. What does success look like to me, beyond money?
Financial returns matter, but focusing only on profits often disappoints teen entrepreneurs. Young business owners should define personal success measures that match their values.
For many teens, success includes building leadership abilities, gaining confidence, or creating positive change. With female representation strong in teen entrepreneurship (nearly 60% of teen entrepreneurs are female), success often includes breaking barriers and creating new opportunities for underrepresented groups in business.
Example: A teen starting a tutoring service might measure success not just by hourly rates, but by the academic improvement of their students. They might track confidence levels, grade increases, and positive feedback as meaningful indicators of their business impact.
Getting Started: First Concrete Steps
After answering the five questions, teens should take these practical actions:
- Create a simple one-page business plan: Outline the problem, solution, target customer, and basic financials on a single page. Keep it simple but specific.
- Build a minimum viable product: Create the simplest version of your offering that solves the core problem. For a tutoring business, this might mean creating a basic flyer and starting with one subject.
- Find your first three customers: Focus intensely on getting three people to try your product or service. These early adopters provide crucial feedback.
- Establish a consistent work schedule: Block specific times each week for your business—even if it’s just 3-5 hours. Consistency matters more than quantity.
- Join a community: Connect with other teen entrepreneurs through programs like WIT, local business clubs, or online communities. The peer support is invaluable.
College Admissions Advantage
The entrepreneurial experience provides unique advantages for different types of colleges:
For Ivy League and highly selective schools: Entrepreneurship demonstrates initiative and impact. Harvard, Stanford, and similar institutions look for applicants who’ve taken risks and shown leadership. Your business provides concrete examples for both.
For liberal arts colleges: These schools value creative thinking and interdisciplinary approaches. A business venture shows how you connect different fields and think critically—traits these colleges prioritize.
For public universities and state schools: These institutions increasingly value practical experience and career readiness. Your entrepreneurial background demonstrates that you’re prepared for the real world.
When writing college essays, focus on what you learned from failure, how you adapted to challenges, and the impact your venture had on others. These reflections impress admissions officers more than financial success.
Start Now With What You Have
Perfect preparation doesn’t exist. The best approach is to begin with your current resources and position.
By asking these five questions, teens build ventures that enhance college applications and develop practical skills lasting a lifetime. Colleges value entrepreneurial experience because business ventures demonstrate initiative, real-world skills, and time management. Starting a business helps applicants stand out while providing rich material for personal statements and essays.
Many universities now emphasize innovation and entrepreneurship in their values. A teen’s business experience can align perfectly with these priorities, especially when the venture creates positive economic or social impact. The entrepreneurial approach—tackling challenges, learning from mistakes, and taking action—prepares young people for success in college admissions and far beyond their first business.
Ready to help a teen in your life start their entrepreneurial journey? These five questions provide the perfect starting point. The most important step is simply to begin.