Raising the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs: Why Financial

---

A successful entrepreneur needs to understand what it costs to operate a business, how to price products and services, how to manage cash flow, how to save, how to separate personal and business finances, and how to make informed financial decisions.

These are financial literacy skills.

Consider a young entrepreneur who earns $1,000 selling products.

It may feel like they made $1,000.

But what did it cost to produce those products? What was spent on supplies, marketing, shipping, equipment, or other expenses? How much should be saved? What portion may need to be set aside for taxes?

That distinction is simple, but understanding it can fundamentally change how a young entrepreneur thinks about money.

We Shouldn’t Wait Until Adulthood

Too often, financial education begins after young people have already made major financial decisions.

They graduate from high school and encounter credit cards, student loans, car payments, rent, taxes, and employment decisions—sometimes without having learned the fundamentals of managing money.

Why wait?

Instead of talking about marketing, let them develop a social media strategy for their business.

Instead of simply discussing saving, challenge them to establish a savings goal using a percentage of their business income.

Learning becomes more powerful when it is connected to real life.

This is where educators, parents, business leaders, community organizations, and financial institutions can play an important role.

Young people need access to information—but they also need access to people who can help them navigate the journey.

Entrepreneurship Builds More Than Businesses

There is another reason youth entrepreneurship matters.

The benefits extend beyond business ownership.

Entrepreneurship teaches young people how to identify problems and develop solutions. It encourages creativity, communication, resilience, accountability, and leadership.

You have the ability to create something of value.

That mindset can influence how young people approach school, careers, finances, and their communities.

Not every young entrepreneur will become a lifelong business owner—and that’s okay.

The goal isn’t necessarily to turn every young person into an entrepreneur.

The goal is to help young people develop the skills, confidence, and financial capability to recognize opportunity and make informed decisions about their future.

From Entrepreneurship to Economic Opportunity

There is also a larger economic conversation we need to have.

When young people learn how businesses work, they begin to understand how wealth is created.

They see the relationship between an idea and income. They learn about ownership, investment, credit, savings, and reinvestment. They begin to understand that building wealth can involve more than earning a paycheck.

For communities, investing in youth entrepreneurship can also mean investing in the next generation of business owners, employers, innovators, and community leaders.

It can be part of a broader economic development strategy.What Would It Look Like If We Started Earlier? Imagine a young person entering high school already understanding the basics of budgeting and saving.

Imagine that same student learning how credit works, creating a business plan, developing a product, pitching an idea, and opening their first business bank account before graduating. Imagine them having a mentor who has actually built a business and can help them understand the mistakes that don’t show up in a textbook.

By the time that young person enters college, the workforce, or entrepreneurship, they aren’t starting from zero. They have experience. They have confidence. And, perhaps most importantly, they have a financial foundation.

The Future Is Already Here. The next generation of entrepreneurs is already creating. They’re selling. They’re building brands. They’re making videos. They’re designing products. They’re solving problems. They’re finding customers.

Our responsibility is to meet them where they are and give them the tools to go further. Youth entrepreneurship teaches young people to create opportunity. Financial literacy teaches them how to manage it.

We need both.

At Juene Consulting, we believe that preparing young people for the future requires more than traditional education. It requires creating opportunities for young people to develop the confidence, skills, and knowledge to navigate an increasingly complex economic world.

Because the next generation shouldn’t just be prepared to find a place in the economy.

They should be prepared to help shape it.

⸻

What would happen if we stopped asking young people when they were going to get a “real job” and started asking them what problem they wanted to solve?

That may be where the next generation of entrepreneurs begins.

A new school year is a great time to think about what you want to accomplish. Maybe you want to improve your grades, join a club, make new friends, explore a career interest, or simply become more confident.

Set goals that challenge you—but don’t make perfection the goal.

There will be difficult assignments, disappointing grades, busy weeks, and days when you don’t feel motivated. That’s normal. What matters is learning how to regroup, ask for help, and keep moving forward.

Progress is more important than perfection.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

If you don’t understand something in class, ask a teacher. If you’re struggling to balance school and everything else happening in your life, talk to a counselor, parent, mentor, coach, or another trusted adult.

Asking for help isn’t a sign that you aren’t capable.

It’s a sign that you’re committed to becoming better.

Connecticut has educators, libraries, youth organizations, colleges, nonprofits, and community programs that want to see students succeed. 

Take advantage of the resources available to you.

Surround yourself with people who encourage you, celebrate your accomplishments, challenge you to grow, and want to see you succeed.

And remember that being a positive influence matters, too.

A kind word, an invitation to sit with someone at lunch, helping a classmate, or encouraging a friend who is having a difficult day can make a bigger difference than you realize.

Use Technology as a Tool—Not a Distraction.

Technology is an important part of education and everyday life. This school year, challenge yourself to use it intentionally.

Use technology to research, create, collaborate, learn new skills, explore careers, and stay organized.

At the same time, give yourself permission to put the phone down.

Your attention is valuable. Protect it.

Start Learning About Your Future Now

It’s never too early to begin thinking about financial independence and your future career.

Surround yourself with people who encourage you, celebrate your accomplishments, challenge you to grow, and want to see you succeed.

And remember that being a positive influence matters, too.

A kind word, an invitation to sit with someone at lunch, helping a classmate, or encouraging a friend who is having a difficult day can make a bigger difference than you realize.

Use Technology as a Tool—Not a Distraction.

Technology is an important part of education and everyday life. This school year, challenge yourself to use it intentionally.

Use technology to research, create, collaborate, learn new skills, explore careers, and stay organized.

At the same time, give yourself permission to put the phone down.

Your attention is valuable. Protect it.

Start Learning About Your Future Now

It’s never too early to begin thinking about financial independence and your future career.

Learn how money works. Understand budgeting and saving. 

Explore scholarships, financial aid, internships, apprenticeships, and career pathways.

If you’re interested in starting a business someday, start learning about entrepreneurship.

If college is your goal, learn about the application and financial aid process early.

If you’re interested in a career that doesn’t require a traditional four-year degree, explore Connecticut’s many workforce and skilled-trade opportunities.

There is more than one path to success.

The important thing is finding a path that aligns with your strengths, interests, and goals.

❤️ Take Care of Yourself

Success isn’t just about working harder.

It’s also about taking care of yourself.

Get enough rest. Eat well. Move your body. Make time for family and friends. Find healthy ways to manage stress. And don’t be afraid to talk about how you’re feeling.

You are more than your grades.

Your mental, emotional, and physical well-being matter.

Make This Your Year

A new school year gives you 12 months of possibilities.

You may make a new friend.

You may discover a new passion.

You may overcome something that once felt impossible.

You may meet a teacher or mentor who changes the way you see your future.

You may surprise yourself.

So as you walk into your classroom this year, don’t focus only on what you want to achieve.

Think about who you want to become.

Be curious. Be courageous. Be kind. Take chances. Learn from your mistakes. Celebrate your wins. And remember that your future is still being written.

Here’s to a new school year in Connecticut—and a year filled with learning, growth, opportunity, and possibility.

Welcome back, students. You’ve got this! 🎓📚✨

This book opens the door for important conversations about:

• Self-esteem and confidence
• Cultural pride and identity
• Diversity and inclusion
• Friendship and belonging
• Emotional growth
• Finding beauty in differences
• Turning fear into strength

Through characters like Harmony, Gia, Ms. Zuri, and Jabari, readers are surrounded by examples of encouragement, mentorship, and community support. Together, these characters help show the

importance of uplifting young voices and creating spaces where children feel seen, valued, and understood.

The title itself carries an important message. 

Black is often unfairly associated with fear, negativity, or absence. This story challenges that idea by presenting black as:

• A symbol of resilience
• A connection to ancestry and culture
• A source of creativity and strength
• A color filled with depth, possibility, and beauty

Kenzie’s journey teaches readers that understanding ourselves often begins when we confront the things we have been taught to fear.