{"id":9993,"date":"2025-03-18T11:21:21","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T10:21:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thestudententrepreneur.org\/?p=9993"},"modified":"2025-03-18T11:22:23","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T10:22:23","slug":"sarah-hernholms-top-5-questions-for-young-entrepreneurs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thestudententrepreneur.org\/?p=9993","title":{"rendered":"Sarah Hernholm\u2019s Top 5 Questions for Young Entrepreneurs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Sarah
5 Key Questions to Ask Before Starting\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Teen entrepreneurship <\/a>is booming! More young people than ever are turning their ideas into businesses. 66% of teens plan to start their ventures as adults. Colleges are paying attention too, entrepreneurial <\/a>experience now boosts admissions chances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But before diving in, young founders need to ask themselves a few key questions. At WIT (Whatever It Takes),<\/strong> Sarah Hernholm has helped over 10,000 teen entrepreneurs build successful businesses since 2009. She shares the five most important questions to consider before launching a business or passion project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sarah Hernholm\u2019s First Question: What Problem Am I Passionate About?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The best businesses solve real problems, ones that truly matter to the founder. Forget trends or what looks good on college applications. A strong connection to the problem keeps entrepreneurs going when challenges arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example:<\/strong> A teen who cares about sustainability could launch a fashion brand that upcycles second-hand clothes. This business isn\u2019t just about making money, it\u2019s about making a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Skills Do I Have, and What Do I Need to Learn?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many teens underestimate their own abilities. The truth? They already have valuable skills! The key is identifying strengths and pinpointing areas for growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With 30% of teen entrepreneurs diving into tech businesses, digital skills are a major asset. But every business is different. A photography venture requires creative and editing skills, while an online shop might need social media marketing know-how.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example:<\/strong> A teen with an eye for photography could start a portrait business using just a smartphone. They may need to learn pricing strategies and client management, but they\u2019re already halfway there!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Will This Fit Into My Schedule?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Balancing school, extracurriculars, and a business takes planning. Entrepreneurs who map out their time in advance avoid burnout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social media plays a massive role, 60% of teen entrepreneurs say it\u2019s crucial to their success. But posting content, engaging with customers, and managing orders take time. A well-structured schedule makes it all possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example:<\/strong> A teen launching a YouTube channel could plan weekly videos instead of daily ones. Filming on weekends leaves room for schoolwork during the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who Can Support and Guide Me?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even the most independent entrepreneurs need a support system. Finding mentors, advisors, or even peers makes a huge difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most teen businesses are self-funded (only 4% receive outside funding), so financial advice is key. Groups like WIT and entrepreneur meetups guide without the need for investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example:<\/strong> A teen running a small lawn care business could ask a local entrepreneur for tips on pricing and budgeting. Small insights can lead to big improvements!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does Success Look Like Beyond Money?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sure, making money is great, but real success comes from impact. Some entrepreneurs want to build leadership skills, help their communities, or create change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For young female founders, success often means breaking barriers. Nearly 60% of teen entrepreneurs are female, proving that young women are shaping the future of business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example:<\/strong> A teen tutoring students could measure success by how much their clients\u2019 grades improve. Seeing real progress can be more rewarding than a paycheck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to Start? Take These First Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Create a simple one-page business plan.<\/strong> Outline the problem, solution, and target audience.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Build a minimum viable product.<\/strong> Launch a basic version of the business to test the idea.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Find three initial customers.<\/strong> The first users provide crucial feedback.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Set a work schedule.<\/strong> Consistency matters more than long hours.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Join a business community.<\/strong> Connect with like-minded entrepreneurs for support.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Final Thought: Start Now With What You Have<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    There\u2019s no such thing as the perfect time. The best way to start? Just do it.<\/strong> Asking these five questions helps teens build businesses that matter while gaining skills that last a lifetime.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Teen entrepreneurship is booming! More young people than ever are turning their ideas into businesses….<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[78,79,77,76,75],"class_list":["post-9993","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-starter-kit","tag-gen-z-entrepreneurs","tag-starting-a-business","tag-passion-projects","tag-young-founders","tag-teen-entrepreneurship"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t