Become a Kid Entrepreneur: A New Series for South Bay’s Youngest Business Owners

What if your kid’s big idea could become a real business?

At Sun & Sea, we spend a lot of time supporting small businesses. We help entrepreneurs get in front of new customers, build their brands, grow their communities and, of course, set up shop at our local markets.

But lately, I’ve been thinking about the next generation of small business owners.

The kids who are constantly making things.

The ones setting up lemonade stands in the driveway, making bracelets for their friends, drawing pictures they think someone should definitely pay $5 for, baking cookies, walking dogs or coming up with their next “million-dollar idea” from the backseat of the car.

So this fall, we’re giving them a place at Sun & Sea, too.

Introducing: Become a Kid Entrepreneur

In September, we launched a new weekly Instagram series called Become a Kid Entrepreneur, designed to teach kids the basics of starting their very first business.

Every week, I’m sharing one bite-sized entrepreneurship lesson created especially for kids. Parents can simply pass over the phone, grab a notebook for their child’s Business Idea Journal, and let them follow along.

And these aren’t just activities to keep kids busy. We’re introducing them to real concepts that business owners use every day, just explained in a way young entrepreneurs can understand and actually use.

Here’s what we’ve learned so far:

Lesson 1: What Is an Entrepreneur?
We started with the basics: What exactly is an entrepreneur?

Kids learned the difference between working for someone else and creating a business of their own. Their first Business Idea Journal assignment was to write down three things they love and three things they’re really good at.

Because some of the best business ideas start with something you already love doing.

Lesson 2: Turn Your Talents Into a Business Idea
Next, we took those interests and talents and started turning them into actual business ideas.

Kids learned to ask: What could I MAKE, DO or SELL using something I already love or am good at?

They brainstormed five possible businesses, narrowed them down to their favorites and started asking potential customers a very important question:

“Would you buy this? Why or why not?”

Because a great business idea isn't just something you like, it's something another person would want or need, too.

Lesson 3: Will My Business Idea Work?
This week, we introduced our young entrepreneurs to a real business tool: a SWOT Analysis.

Kids learned how to look at the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats surrounding their idea.

What are you really good at? What could be difficult? Where could your idea grow? What might get in your way?

One of my favorite parts of teaching kids about entrepreneurship is realizing just how capable they are of understanding these concepts when we give them the chance.

And we're only getting started (!!!)

What We’re Learning Next

Over the next several weeks, we’ll keep building these businesses one step at a time.

We’ll talk about what makes a business stand out, identify the customer they’re actually selling to, learn about costs, pricing and profit, create a brand, learn how to market it and practice actually talking to customers and making a sale.

The goal isn't just to teach kids how to make something and sell it. It’s to teach them to think like entrepreneurs, and to notice problems and find solutions. To try an idea, get feedback and make it better. To understand money. To communicate confidently. To create something they're proud of and have the courage to put it out into the world.

Those are skills they'll carry with them long after their first business.

And Something Bigger Is Coming November 6…

The Instagram series has also been a little sneak peek at something I've been working on behind the scenes.

On November 6, Sun & Sea will launch a brand-new Become a Kid Entrepreneur program, giving kids the tools to go much deeper than we can in a weekly Instagram Reel. It will guide young entrepreneurs step-by-step from: “I want to start a business…” all the way to: “I have a business and I'm ready for my first customer.”

There will be a lot more to share soon… but if your kid has been following along with the Instagram series, they're already getting a head start. And November 6 is going to be an especially exciting day because...

Kid Entrepreneur Market Applications Open November 6!

Learning about entrepreneurship is one thing. But actually standing behind a table, talking to customers, selling something you created and earning your own money is where it gets really fun (and real!)

This holiday season, Sun & Sea is creating two opportunities for Kid Entrepreneurs to set up shop alongside our small-business community.

Sunday November 29th
Sun & Sea Holiday Market
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

Our regular holiday market will include a special area dedicated to Kid Entrepreneurs, giving them the chance to set up their own mini businesses and sell to real customers.

Saturday December 5th
Sun & Sea Holiday Market
Promenade on the Peninsula in Palos Verdes

We'll do it again the following weekend with another opportunity for young entrepreneurs to bring their businesses to life.

Applications for BOTH Kid Entrepreneur Markets will open November 6.

That gives kids the month of October to follow along, learn, brainstorm and start building, and then November to get ready to SELL.

Kids do not have to complete the upcoming program in order to apply for a market. The Instagram series and program are resources to help them feel prepared and confident when they get there.

Want Your Kid to Join Us?

Start now!

Head over to the Sun & Sea Instagram and look for the Become a Kid Entrepreneur series. Start with Lesson 1, grab a notebook to use as a Business Idea Journal and work your way through the lessons together. A new lesson drops each Friday. :)

Then mark November 6 on your calendar, thats when we will reveal the next big piece of this series AND open applications for our November 29 and December 5 Kid Entrepreneur Markets.

Your kid doesn't need to have a business yet.

They don't need a logo.

They don't need a perfect idea.

They just need somewhere to start.

Let's see what they build!!