Youth Entrepreneurship: The Future is Now

The entrepreneurial mindset takes hold young in California. The Future Is Now video series tells the stories of some of California’s youngest – and most driven – startup founders. We hope that learning about their journeys will inspire entrepreneurs of all ages across California.

Email suggestions of youth entrepreneurs for consideration in future episodes as well as other youth entrepreneurship programs to: thefutureisnow@gobiz.ca.gov

Jimenez Sisters Ranch

Madelyn, Abigail, and Olivia Jimenez are the dynamic founders of the Jimenez Sisters Ranch in Riverside California. When demands for their goat milk dried up during the pandemic, these resilient young entrepreneurs pivoted to creating all-natural goat milk bath and body products. From handcrafted soaps to nourishing skin care, their dedication to quality and sustainability is setting new standards in the beauty industry. You can now find Jimenez Sisters Ranch products online and in stores in more than 20 states throughout the country.

Visit the Jimenez Sisters Ranch online, here.

ChalkWild

One day, an insightful 11-year-old boy, Hien Ho, was at his local skate park and noticed his classmates drawing their own unique designs in permanent ink on their school backpacks. This sparked an idea to create erasable canvas backpacks. Now his company has sold thousands of backpacks to school districts and after-school programs with the goal of helping students overcome anxiety through art and promoting success in academics and life.

Check out ChalkWild online, here.

Youth Entrepreneurship Training Programs

Build.org

A national non-profit with programs designed to ignite the power of youth in under-resourced communities to build career success, entrepreneurial mindsets, and opportunity. The BUILD program was founded in the Bay Area in 1999, and now serves over 1,500 students annually throughout the state of California.

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The Rosie Network

The Rosie Network is a non-profit founded to help teach entrepreneurship to transitioning veterans and military families. The Military Kidpreneur Camp empowers the next generation of military entrepreneurs through an interactive curriculum and daily small group mentoring by inspiring critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative brain-storming techniques.

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Berkeley Business Academy For Youth

Organizes an annual two-week summer curriculum for middle-school and high-school students to work in teams on projects drawn from the real world. Students learn tools and skills–from Excel spreadsheets and financial models to PowerPoint and persuasive communication–that entrepreneurs around the world depend on.

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The Temecula Youth Entrepreneur Program

Hosted by the Temecula Valley Entrepreneur’s Exchange, the program offers two-weeks of training every summer for high school students between 14-18 enrolled in Inland Southern California schools between 14 and 18 years of age. Students are equipped with foundational skills essential for achieving success in their entrepreneurial endeavors.

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Project Echo

Project Echo (Entrepreneurial Concepts Hands On!) trains middle-school and high-school teachers to create project-based innovative and equitable entrepreneurship programs. Teachers learn multiple teaching programs including in-class programs, after-school activities, and clubs. Project Echo also organizes an annual, national High School Entrepreneurs’ Business Plan competition.

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