Kids all over Canada are increasingly becoming young entrepreneurs, with many starting their own businesses at a very young age. One such example is Jayden Karlee Castillo, who began selling toys in front of her house at the age of six and has since expanded her product range and customer base. Castillo recently participated in the Kids Markets event in Millarville, Alta., where she sold various items, including self-made bracelets, earrings, and 3D-printed toys, as well as sourced products like hand sanitizers and squishies. She has managed to save money for a trip to Japan and the Philippines and plans to treat her parents to a nice dinner.

Various programs across Canada support young entrepreneurs, such as BizKids Market in B.C., Kid2Kid in Toronto, and the Children’s Business Fair in Brandon, Man. Jodi Letkiewicz, a finance professor at California State University, notes a growing trend of young entrepreneurs in recent years, citing factors like increased exposure to entrepreneurship through social media and accessible learning platforms like YouTube.

Lemonade Day Calgary, a program that encourages kids to run their own lemonade stands, saw a significant increase in participation, indicating a growing interest in entrepreneurship among youth. Letkiewicz explains that factors like rising living costs and children’s natural curiosity are contributing to this trend.

Childhood offers a unique opportunity for kids to explore their entrepreneurial spirit without the fear of failure that often comes with age. Atley Ma, known as SodaKid, started his business at nine years old and has successfully funded his university education through his venture. Ma attributes part of his success to being a child entrepreneur, which he believes gives kids a competitive edge.

Apart from financial gains, young entrepreneurs also acquire valuable skills like financial literacy, problem-solving, and teamwork, as noted by economist Ross Levine. Family support plays a crucial role in nurturing kid entrepreneurs, providing resources and encouragement for their ventures.

Building a website for his business sparked Ma’s interest in computer engineering, showing the diverse learning opportunities that come with entrepreneurship. He envisions passing on his business to another young entrepreneur to continue its growth. Ultimately, young entrepreneurs like Ma are encouraged to seize the boundless possibilities available to them and learn important life skills while making some money along the way.