Programs Helps Teen Entrepreneurs

It’s time to take the lead from young people. Aspiring teenage entrepreneurs are simply too optimistic to let this economy get them down.

Sharon Sharon Lechter is the founder of YOUTHpreneur, a member of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy, and co-author of the international best-selling book Rich Dad Poor Dad. She encourages us to check out www.youthpreneur.com, which provides teens a social network to connect with each other, share ideas and potentially form ground breaking partnerships.

April is Financial Literacy Month. According to Lechter, parents find success when they use current situations or “teachable moments” to explain important things or life skills to their children.

In Phoenix YOUTHpreneur partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of and a local drugstore to create a gumball machine business pilot program. Dozens of kids participated in the test program with the goal of placing their gumball machines in a local business, monitoring success, maintaining the product and competing with each other to generate the most revenue.

The program, which funded other Boys & Girls Club programs also taught participants about business etiquette skills and the importance of giving back to the community.

“We all learn best through experiential learning and it shows kids they can start small and then grow,” Lechter said.

I used to teach a Junior Acheivement economics Class to Kindergarteners. We learned all about donut production with stickers and cut outs. It was terrifically fun – for me anyway! And it’s never too early to learn about money!

Image Credit: Carly Jane1, Flickr