Homeschooling Your Entrepreneurial Child

If your teen has big dreams and endless creative ideas, you might just be raising an entrepreneur!

An entrepreneur is someone who has a knack for spotting opportunities and turning them into profitable ventures. In fact, 27 million Americans, or about 51% of adults, are currently running or starting a business.

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Your child might already be a part of that group! Do they love creating or selling things? Or perhaps they have a natural interest in buying and selling for a profit?

Research suggests that environment can trigger genetic tendencies, bringing out traits that might otherwise remain hidden. So, if your teen is showing signs of entrepreneurial talent, you might be seeing a blend of nature and nurture at work. They might have been born with these traits, and by nurturing the right environments, you can help bring them to life!

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A wonderful resource I found for understanding and encouraging these unique talents is 8 Great Smarts by Kathy Koch, which teaches how to identify and develop your child’s strengths.

There’s even speculation around an “entrepreneur gene”—some individuals might be naturally inclined toward entrepreneurship, hard-wired for characteristics like innovation and resilience. However, while some might be born with entrepreneurial traits, exposure to the ideas, principles, and practices of entrepreneurship can shape anyone to think like an entrepreneur.

Signs of an Entrepreneur in the Making

Being a student of your teen’s personality is essential. Pay attention to their behavior, conversations, and problem-solving approaches—they might already be showing traits of an entrepreneur, even if they’re still young. Here are a few classic characteristics that many young entrepreneurs demonstrate:

1. Risk-Taking

Entrepreneurs often have a high tolerance for risk, a trait that shows up even in young children. Some kids are drawn to challenges and thrill-seeking. Risk-tolerance can’t be taught—your child either embraces risk, or they don’t.

2. Problem Solving

Does your child spot a need and figure out how to meet it? This is a crucial entrepreneurial trait, and it can show up in simple ways, like figuring out how to fix broken items or thinking of a new solution to an old problem.

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3. Resourcefulness

Entrepreneurs tend to make the most of the resources they have, even when they’re limited.

Here’s an example from my own experience with my son, who was showing his entrepreneurial spirit as early as age 10. When he wanted a game console, he knew we wouldn’t buy it unless it was a special occasion, so he set out to buy one himself. He learned from watching me buy items on eBay and decided he could save money by purchasing a used console. Soon, with my supervision, he was buying and selling on eBay, along with selling candy and lemonade to earn extra cash. His goal was to save up enough to start his own skateboard brand!

In this experience, he showed natural entrepreneurial traits:

• Resourcefulness: He figured out how to get what he wanted by creatively using what he had.
• Problem-Solving: He discovered ways to make money on his own, which motivated him and gave him a sense of independence.
• Confidence: The experience of earning his own money boosted his confidence and gave him a taste of the freedom that entrepreneurship brings.

Of course, these were the early days of the internet. Nowadays, with the complexities and dangers online, any budding business that involves the internet should be monitored carefully. We used parental controls, and as he grew, we set clear rules about computer use to ensure his safety.

Supporting Their Entrepreneurial Journey

If you see these entrepreneurial traits in your teen—or if they’re eager to start a business but lack certain characteristics—now is the perfect time to nurture and guide them.

• Encourage Brainstorming and Independent Thinking: Help your teen come up with business ideas that match their interests and abilities. Encourage them to start with something manageable for their age, so they don’t get overwhelmed.
• Teach Planning and Consistency: Entrepreneurship requires setting goals and working toward them consistently. Show them how to create a simple plan and track their progress.
• Build Collaboration Skills: Whether through group projects or collaborative problem-solving activities at home, help them learn to work with others—a key skill in any business. For example, assign them a home repair task but limit the tools they can use. This forces them to think creatively and work together if you have multiple kids working on it.

These kinds of activities not only develop their entrepreneurial mindset but also bring a fun twist to chores and academics. And remember, even if your child doesn’t become the next big entrepreneur, these skills—confidence, independence, resilience, and creative thinking—will benefit them in any path they choose.

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From Hobby to Hustle: Teaching Teens the Path to Entrepreneurship was our newest webinar added to  Confidently Homeschooling Teens Membership for Moms. Often, expert speakers are invited to share their insights and knowledge on homeschooling teens, providing valuable guidance and inspiration. Take a lott at all CHTM has to offer you!

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Enjoying the Journey.

Michelle

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FREE 7-Day Entrepreneurship Challenge for Teens! Get your Free Leadership Foundations Guide when you sign up

• Discover their "Why"
• Embrace the power of Grit
• Choose a Business Idea

This email-based challenge is a great way for students to explore entrepreneurship and build lifelong skills

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