For many people, one of the biggest challenges to successfully starting a new business is just starting in the first place. As adults, we can easily get caught up in and overwhelmed by our own fears to the extent that we get stuck in a comfort zone and never push ourselves to dream, to experiment, to achieve. Kids, however, are natural dreamers, experimenters, and achievers (at least, when they are left to their own devices). For this reason, it’s not surprising that many kids, even small ones, have been able to turn their ideas into profitable business ventures. Below are ten successful kid entrepreneurs all of whom started their businesses when they were under the age of 13.
Cory Nieves, Mr. Cory’s Cookies. He may only be 10, but Corey Nieves is already the CEO and head of distribution for Mr. Cory’s Cookies, which offers an assortment of all-natural, mostly organic treats. The Englewood, New Jersey native sells up to a thousand cookies each weekend, at about $1 apiece. His business has also led to an appearance on the Ellen Degeneres show and more than 30,000 followers on Instagram. Aside from the quality of his cookies (that he makes together with his mom in a rented commercial kitchen), and the obvious cuteness factor of Corey himself, much of the company’s success is due to the fact that the cookies are brought to local businesses where their customers already are.
Leanna Archer, Leanna’s Hair. Leanna Archer was a mere 9 years old when she began bottling and selling her own hair pomade based on her great-grandmother’s secret recipe. Archer’s line of all-natural hair products, has since expanded to include a variety of hair cleansers, conditioners and treatments. Now 17, Leanna serves as the CEO of her company and has been recognized by prominent business publications like Forbes and Success Magazine. She even started the Leanna Archer Education Foundation to help build schools and safe learning environments for underprivileged children in Haiti.
Juliette Brindak, Miss O and Friends. At age 10, Juliette Brindak created what is now Miss O and Friends. The site mostly targets pre-teen girls and has become one of the most popular girl-only online websites. Brindak has since launched a line of Miss O and friends books and other related products, all offering an assortment of self-esteem and confidence building content. The young woman is currently the CEO and editor of her site as well as the book line and has a net worth of $15 Million Dollars.
Lizzie Marie Likness, Lizzie Marie Cuisine. Lizzie Marie is a food mogul in the making. It all started when a 6-year-old Lizzie wanted to earn money in order to pay for horseback riding lessons. So, she began selling homemade baked goods at the local farmers market. Then, with a little help from her parents, she developed and maintained a healthy-cooking website compete with instructional videos showing kids how to make healthy food and snacks. That move led to cooking classes, an appearance on the “Rachael Ray Show,” and even her own WebMD video series, “Healthy Cooking with Chef Lizzie.”
Moziah Bridges, Mo’s Bows. Not happy with the bow ties he saw at the store, Moziah Bridges started making his own. Having learned how to sew from his grandmother, the fashion conscious 11-year-old began selling his creations on Etsy. A short while later, his ties made their way into several boutiques throughout the South East. So far, Bridges has earned over $30,000 from his bow ties. Next up: he plans to start a children’s clothing company.
Jaden Wheeler & Amaya Selmon, Kool Kidz Sno Konez. A couple of years ago, Jaden Wheeler (12 years old) and Amaya Selmon (10 years old) started making snow cones with a blender and an extension cord in front of their home in Memphis, Tennessee. After seeing how successful their small business was, their mother purchased for them a food truck, making them the youngest food truck owners in Memphis. Now, Kool Kidz Sno Konez offers an assortment of snacks including: hot dogs, nachos, and more than 20 snow cone flavors.
Anshul Samar, Elementeo (Alchemist Empire Inc.). At the age of 11, Anshul Samar combined his love for chemistry with his love for playing card games into a board-based game called Elementeo. In the game, various characters representing different elements on the periodic table compete against each other to “capture” electrons. Since the first version of Elementeo was released, Samar now 19, has continued to update the game and even created a grant fund for other aspiring young entrepreneurs.
Cameron Johnson. Cameron Johnson got his entrepreneurial gears going at the age of 9 making invitations for his parents’ holiday party. Two years later, Johnson had made thousands of dollars selling cards through his company Cheers and Tears. At age 12, he paid his sister $100 for her 30 Beanie Babies and sold them on eBay for $1000. He then purchased the toys directly from the manufacturer and earned a $50,000 profit within a year. He used that money to start an Internet business that brought in $3,000 per month in advertising revenue. By the time he turned 15, he had formed several businesses with total revenues ranging from $300,000 to $400,000 dollars each month.
Adora Svitak. Adora is a published author of three books, internationally acclaimed speaker, and advocate for causes including literacy, youth empowerment, and feminism. She’s been featured on Good Morning America, and her TED speech titled “What Adults Can Learn From Kids,” has generated 3.6 million views and counting. Oh, and she accomplished all of this by the age of 12.