How the Rise of Teenagers as Entrepreneurs is Changing the Landscape
Zhuangting He, Latin School of Chicago, Junior, Fall 2025
With the rapidly changing world of business, traditional ideals of entrepreneurship are being reshaped, and new groups of people are setting the stage: Millennials and Gen-Z. Traditionally, entrepreneurship has often been associated with only experienced professionals or business leaders. However, a growing number of teens are starting their own businesses. According to a survey, “3 in 5 American teens (60%) would be more interested in starting their own business than having a traditional job” (Junior Achievement, 2021).
The rise of teen entrepreneurs can be due to the technology advancements and the rise of artificial intelligence, which can inspire business model ideas, market the business, or even sell products online, all from the comfort of their own home. Marge Johnsson, an award-winning serial entrepreneur and educator, explains the increase is due to “the ease of use and ready access to technology and the related infrastructure used to launch online businesses. From social media platforms, to podcasts, to online retailers (Amazon, Etsy, etc.), there are so many opportunities to start selling something.” With AI and technology, teens turning their creativity into a business venture are far faster than previous generations and can provide instant research of ideas and access to global markets.
“Young entrepreneurs (18–34 years) also were more likely to prioritize sustainability (61% vs. 47%) and take steps to minimize environmental impact (66% vs. 44%) and maximize social impact (55% vs. 36%) than older entrepreneurs (35–65 years)” (Beato, Babson College, 2024). As more teens launch ventures, there is a growing shift towards mission-driven impact with less focus on just making a profit.
Teen entrepreneurs are even launching non-profit ventures. Arden Brown, a high school student and founder of Living Outside, which is dedicated to supporting people experiencing homelessness through providing care bags, says, “I saw how instrumental the care bags had been at initiating the connections that drastically changed my perspectives, and I wanted to share that with as many people as I could.” Her story emphasizes how global issues are not insurmountable if an individual can introduce an entrepreneurial solution.
The rise of entrepreneurship among teens is not just a trend but a way to change businesses’ traditional profit-only focus; teens are using creativity and their values to inspire what modern entrepreneurship can be.
Statistics:
Interviews:
Arden Brown, High School Student and Founder of Living Outside
Marge Johnsson, Assistant Professor-Management
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