5 Roadblocks Kids and Teens Face When Starting a Business (And How to Overcome Them)

5 Roadblocks Kids and Teens Face When Starting a Business (And How to Overcome Them)

Starting a business or side hustle as a kid or teen can be an exciting way to make money, gain independence, and learn valuable life skills. But let’s be real—there are some challenges along the way. The good news? These roadblocks are totally manageable with the right mindset and approach. Here are five common obstacles young entrepreneurs face and how to tackle them head-on.

1. Not Knowing Where to Start

The Challenge

You have the motivation to start a business, but you’re stuck on the big question: What should I do? With so many possibilities, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

How to Overcome It

• Start with what you love. Think about hobbies, talents, or skills you already have. Do you love baking, coding, designing, or organizing? Your business idea could be hidden in something you already enjoy.
• Look for common problems. Businesses exist to solve problems. If people often ask you for help with something—like tutoring, pet-sitting, or designing birthday signs—that could be your perfect business idea.
• Start small. You don’t need to launch a full-scale business overnight. Start by offering your product or service to friends, family, and neighbors to test things out.

2. Not Having Enough Money to Start

The Challenge

Many businesses require some upfront costs—whether it’s buying supplies, creating a website, or marketing. But most kids and teens don’t have hundreds of dollars lying around to invest in a startup.

How to Overcome It

• Start with what you have. Instead of spending money upfront, look for a business idea that requires little to no investment. Service-based businesses like babysitting, tutoring, or yard work have almost zero startup costs.
• Reinvest your earnings. Use profits from your first few sales to grow your business instead of spending them right away.
• Ask for support. If your idea requires some funding, consider asking your parents for a small loan or pitching your idea to friends and family for donations or pre-orders.

3. Not Having Enough Time

The Challenge

Between school, homework, sports, and social activities, finding time to run a business can feel impossible.

How to Overcome It

• Create a schedule. Treat your business like any other commitment. Set aside specific times each week to work on it, even if it’s just an hour.
• Start small and scale up. You don’t need to go full-time right away. Focus on a few customers or one product at first, then grow as you get better at managing your time.
• Use tools to stay organized. Free apps like Trello, Google Calendar, or Notion can help you keep track of tasks and deadlines.

4. Not Knowing How to Market the Business

The Challenge

You have a great idea, but how do you get people to actually buy from you?

How to Overcome It

• Leverage social media. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook are great for spreading the word. Create short, engaging content that shows off your product or service. (But get approval from your parents about using social media. Many times parents will be willing to post on their social channels for you, instead of creating your own.)
• Word of mouth is powerful. Ask family, friends, and neighbors to help promote your business. Happy customers can be your best advertisers.
• Offer a “first-time” deal. Discounts or promotions for first-time customers can encourage people to give your business a try.

5. Fear of Failure

The Challenge

Many young entrepreneurs worry about making mistakes, failing, or looking bad in front of others.

How to Overcome It

• Shift your mindset. Instead of seeing mistakes as failures, see them as learning experiences. Every successful entrepreneur has faced setbacks!
• Start with small risks. Instead of diving in with a huge investment, test your business idea in small ways first.
• Find a mentor. Talking to someone who has experience in business—whether it’s a parent, teacher, or another young entrepreneur—can help boost your confidence and guide you through challenges.

Final Thoughts

Starting a business as a kid or teen isn’t always easy, but every challenge has a solution. If you push past these roadblocks, you’ll gain more than just extra cash—you’ll build confidence, problem-solving skills, and a mindset that will help you succeed in any area of life.

Want to hear real stories from teens who have started their own businesses? Check out the Cash Kid Podcast for inspiring interviews and tips. Cash Kid, out!