Many young people would like to start their own business, and more of them are doing so while still teens. With your own business, you can serve your community and acquire the skills you need to maintain economic independence in a changing, flexible economy.

General Resources

Department of Labor website with information on high growth economic areas.  Find out which businesses and industries are most in demand, and structure your entrepreneurial venture around goods and services you know are needed.

Hot Shot Business
Animated, online game where you can create and run your own small business. Introduces players to business skills such as marketing, pricing, keeping track of costs, staying up to date on customer needs, and watching the competition.

Small Business Association's (SBA) Teen Entrepreneur Website
Information to help teens start and run a viable small business. Includes resources on the fundamentals, such as brainstorming, evaluating the feasibility of an idea, developing a business plan, learning from successful young entrepreneurs and making sound financial decisions. Also points teens to SBA's entrepreneurial development partners and services.

United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USHCC)
Organization committed to providing innovative programs and services to give Latino youth "alternatives for life preparation." Includes information on the USHCC's BizFest, a national youth entrepreneurship training camp.

Youth and Work: Young Entrepreneurs Share Their Stories (Mosiac, Winter 2003)
Articles on and by youth entrepreneurs around the globe who are committed to using their talents and skills for community projects and improvement.

Youth Venture
Organization that helps young people across the U.S. start youth-created, youth-led organizations that bring "lasting benefits for their schools, neighborhoods or communities."

School-based Resources

Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE)
"Guided by distinguished faculty advisors and supported by businesses around the globe, SIFE Teams teach important concepts through educational outreach projects, including market economics, entrepreneurship, personal and financial success, and business ethics to better themselves, their communities and their countries."

Junior Achievement (JA)
Organization that uses hands-on experience to introduce young people to the concepts of business and free enterprise, including entrepreneurship.

DECA, Inc.
Association of high school and college students with an interest in marketing, management and entrepreneurship that aims to give students the skills and competence they need to succeed in future careers.