Kidpreneurs are kids who have the impetus and ideas to create a business venture at a young age. From Henry Patterson’s “Not Before Tea”, “Zellie” and “Young and Mighty” to Ava Dooley’s “Ava’s Pet Palace“, there are a plethora of examples of these young entrepreneurs defying the norms and showcasing their creativity, determination, and innovative spirit. And I’m totally here for it.

It’s the energy and perspective of it all that’s exciting; the enthusiasm, resilience, solutions-focused thinking and can-do-ness. We live in a world where the overriding approach/consensus is that we teach our young ones. I think the opposite is actually true. They teach us. Especially, kidpreneurs – there’s a lot we can learn from them.

Kidpreneurs stay creative

There’s a fearlessness that comes with youth. That magical stage before the world starts impressing its limits, oughts and shoulds on us. It looks a lot like unabandoned freedom. From this space, we are our most creative. Educationalist, Ken Robinson, famously said “We don’t grow into creativity, we grow out of it. Or, rather, we get educated out of it”. You see this evident in the drawings, stories and questions of young ones – the way they express ideas, blending several at once. Everything seems and feels possible because, to them, the world is rich with endless possibilities. Their ideas and approaches are rich in ingenuity because they’re so unlimited and unshackled by the limits we collect as we age.

The lesson: to try to recapture our own fearlessness and reclaim the boundless creativity we once possessed. Kidpreneurs remind us that creativity thrives in a mindset free from the limitations and expectations imposed by the world.

Kidpreneurs are comfortable with failure

It’s all they’ve known, really. They’ve overcome so many failures to be walking and talking beings. Those clumsy first steps. The grazed knees. That mumbo-jumbo as they attempt to speak their first words. The free-flowing scribbles as they try to grasp control of crayons before they can begin to write. As their carers, we celebrate it all with glee. We’re encouraging, proud, and kind. Our young people are empowered to make mistakes, knowing that they’ll overcome them and be supported to do so.

The lesson: to understand that failure is not the end but a natural part of growth and progress. Kidpreneurs remind us that embracing mistakes and setbacks with resilience and a supportive mindset can lead to valuable lessons and eventual success.

Kidpreneurs are thirsty learners

From the moment they’re born, our young ones are on the steepest of all learning curves. From complete dependence, they start growing in independence at the rate of knots, soaking up learning experience after learning experience.

Just like sponges, they absorb information from their surroundings, exploring, experimenting, and eagerly embracing new challenges. Every moment is an opportunity to discover something new, and they approach each day with an insatiable curiosity that reminds us of the joy of learning. Whether it’s understanding how a simple machine works or uncovering the mysteries of nature, kidpreneurs are living proof that a thirst for knowledge alongside a growth mindset is one hell of an asset.

The lesson: to remember to stay curious, open-minded, and eager to acquire new skills and knowledge throughout our lives. Kidpreneurs teach us that learning is not just a means to an end but a fulfilling and enriching journey in itself.

Kidpreneurs are supported

There’ll undoubtedly be areas of business these kidpreneurs will have needed help with; opening bank accounts, taxes, buying domains and supplies. This is where their support networks kick in. These supportive networks often include family members, friends, teachers, and mentors who offer invaluable guidance, wisdom, and practical assistance. Their role is not unlike that of a backstage crew ensuring a smooth performance on the entrepreneurial stage.

It also goes beyond the technical finicky aspects. Kidpreneurs thrive because they’re in environments conducive to their blooming. Where ideas aren’t poo-pooed and every obstacle is seen as an opportunity to learn and grow, together. This endless supply of positive reinforcement doesn’t half bolster confidence and nurture resilience.

The lesson: as adult entrepreneurs, we can often experience loneliness and isolation. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can reach out, join and/or actively build support networks to help us through the seemingly unnavigable and we can be that support for others too. Kidpreneurs show us that with the right support, any dream, no matter how young or ambitious, can take flight.

It’s all too easy to collect baggage as we age. We see minor mistakes as evidence against why we shouldn’t be doing something or another. We lend weight and credence to the opinions and judgements of others. We quite often get in our own way. Whilst it might have been a long while since we’ve allowed ourselves the freedom of our younger years, we can make intentional steps to create slices of time where we allow ourselves that unshackledness again. For me, that’s having pockets of time in my week which are set aside for creating whatever takes my fancy in those given moments with no pressure nor expectation that it has to be ‘perfect’ or ‘seen’.