Entrepreneurship all starts with mindset. Young people need to be aware of the possibilities and their ability to start a business and to understand there are various paths to financial freedom and the benefits of being your own boss. A good place to start would be sharing examples of young people who have started businesses, and at different levels from small service providing businesses, simple trading businesses and up to those who have scaled up and have employees and shareholders. They all started with a vision and belief that it was possible. Then they started!
To create a healthy mindset, self-belief plays a huge part, as is realising that starting a business is possible for everyone, and, that much of the learning is done on the journey. Starting is the biggest thing, and on that journey, you will win and you will learn which will lead to winning even more.
Schools and colleges should be encouraging young people to start businesses and support them with the basic training. Starting school clubs, visiting speakers and work placements are also extremely beneficial. Anything that encourages and helps a young person believe what is possible, and gives them basic training and exposure to a range of real live businesses. Adopting a creative, pro-business culture will help more young people explore their ideas and realise the power they have, to make it happen.
Facilitating mentorships with successful businesses to help young people start and grow their businesses is key. It can be a lonely journey as an entrepreneur and having someone to mentor you can not only make you feel supported, but can also be invaluable in terms of practical insight and increasing the probability of success.
Tax breaks for teen businesses should be implemented and grants made available for teen start-ups. We need to incentivise young people which all starts with a culture that promotes and celebrates youth entrepreneurial activity. That way teenagers understand that there are many paths to ‘making a living’ and that selling your labour and getting a job is only one.
Encourage media owners to offer free advertising opportunities for young people to help promote their businesses. This will help young people get exposure for their products or services and should be seen as valuable for the media owners being associated with such positive encouragement and support for young people. Media owners could sponsor teen businesses, awards and scholarships.
Anyone can start a business and there has been no better time! Technological advancements mean we can start a business from our phone and in our bedroom and access all the resources we need. Many have and we can encourage many more with the right encouragement and culture and support.
Alan is paving the way for promoting effective and practical holistic coping strategies that can be done on your own. For more information about Alan Lucas and how to get copies of his latest book - Realise Your Power: 7 Steps to Sort Your Self Out, visit https://www.youdontneedtherapy.com/
