If your child has big dreams and endless creative ideas, you might just be raising an entrepreneur!

An entrepreneur is someone who has a knack for spotting opportunities and turning them into profitable ventures. In fact, 27 million Americans, or about 51% of adults, are currently running or starting a business.

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Your child might already be a part of that group! Do they love creating or selling things? Or perhaps they have a natural interest in buying and selling for a profit?

A wonderful resource I found for understanding and encouraging these unique talents is 8 Great Smarts by Kathy Koch, which teaches how to identify and develop your child’s strengths.

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There’s even speculation around an “entrepreneur gene”—some individuals might be naturally inclined toward entrepreneurship, hard-wired for characteristics like innovation and resilience. However, while some might be born with entrepreneurial traits, exposure to the ideas, principles, and practices of entrepreneurship can shape anyone to think like an entrepreneur.

Signs of an Entrepreneur in the Making

Getting to know your teen’s personality is key—especially if they have an entrepreneurial spark. Pay close attention to how they behave, the things they talk about, and how they tackle problems. They may already be showing signs of entrepreneurial thinking, even if they don’t realize it yet. Watch for these common traits that many young entrepreneurs naturally display:

Risk-Taking

Entrepreneurs often have a high tolerance for risk, a trait that shows up even in young children. Some kids are drawn to challenges and thrill-seeking. Risk-tolerance can’t be taught—your child either embraces risk or they don’t.

Problem Solving

Does your child spot a need and figure out how to meet it? This is a crucial entrepreneurial trait, and it can show up in simple ways, like figuring out how to fix broken items or thinking of a new solution to an old problem.

Resourcefulness

Entrepreneurs tend to make the most of the resources they have, even when they’re limited.

Here’s an example from my own experience with my son, who was showing his entrepreneurial spirit as early as age 10. When he wanted a game console, he knew we wouldn’t buy it unless it was a special occasion, so he set out to buy one himself. He learned from watching me buy items on eBay and decided he could save money by purchasing a used console. Soon, with my supervision, he was buying and selling on eBay, along with selling candy and lemonade to earn extra cash. His goal was to save up enough to start his own skateboard brand!

In this experience, he showed natural entrepreneurial traits:

• Resourcefulness: He figured out how to get what he wanted by creatively using what he had.
• Problem-solving: He discovered ways to make money on his own, which motivated him and gave him a sense of independence.
• Confidence: The experience of earning his own money boosted his confidence and gave him a taste of the freedom that entrepreneurship brings.

Of course, these were the early days of the internet. Nowadays, with the complexities and dangers online, any budding business that involves the internet should be monitored carefully. We used parental controls, and as he grew, we set clear rules about computer use to ensure his safety.

Supporting Their Entrepreneurial Journey

If you see these entrepreneurial traits in your teen—or if they’re eager to start a business but lack certain characteristics—now is the perfect time to nurture and guide them. There are a plethora of books that will guide and encourage their journey. Books every teen entrepreneur should read.

Encourage Brainstorming and Independent Thinking: Help your teen come up with business ideas that fit their interests and personality. Keep it simple and age-appropriate so they don’t feel overwhelmed right out of the gate. Even a small idea can lead to big lessons.

Teach Planning and Consistency: One of the best things you can do is show them how to set a goal and stick with it. Help them break things down into steps, make a basic plan, and check in on their progress. It’s all about learning how to follow through.