How to Start a Youth Entrepreneur Program

To start a youth entrepreneur program, strike a balance between establishing a well-organized program and one that can truly be exciting for young people. Starting a business at a young age is an extraordinary venture that can set youth up for a lifetime of success.  

1. Establish a group of leaders for the program. This may be a solo venture on your part or you might bring together a few others who can partner with you in creating the vision and structure.

2. Create a youth entrepreneur program vision statement. In a few sentences, describe the hopes for your program by thinking about your ultimate goals. Your goal may be to empower youth to be creative and establish themselves financially, starting at a young age.

3. Identify entrepreneurs in the community to assist you. Ideally, these are successful individuals who would be willing to give workshops and mentor young people to follow in their footsteps.

4. Find a meeting venue. Your program might take place in a local school, community center, an entrepreneur's office or another location. Make it a place the youth can easily access using public transportation, if necessary.

5. Market the entrepreneur program to adolescents and their parents. Give presentations in schools, extracurricular activities and community centers about the goal of the program. Invite successful entrepreneurs to speak to inspire the teens and their parents.

6. Start with a core group of young adults. Starting small will allow you to make adjustments as you progress. Use successes of the youth to generate greater interest in the program by asking them to speak at future community events, and to spread the word about your program.