RAISING THE
ENTREPRENEURS
Chances are, most teenagers today will eventually go to work in a small business. And more than half of millenials ages 18 to 34 plan to start their own businesses at some point or have already given
entrepreneurship a shot, according to research by the Kaufman
Foundation.
“The values of younger people are more centered on defining
their own path vs. following the career path that a corporation
or others determine for them,” says Steve Millard, president
and executive director of COSE. “They have been brought up
to believe more strongly in their own abilities, and they value
the autonomy associated with entrepreneurship.”
But what are we doing as business owners to grow young
entrepreneurs? In an economy that is increasingly reliant on the
success of small businesses, are we doing all we can to raise the next
generation of leaders?
Some of the basic entrepreneurial lessons can start in school,
in courses such as Hudson High School’s entrepreneurship
class, or in the Hudson High School Business Club, which
gives students opportunities to connect with local entrepreneurs
and to sharpen their business savvy with activities like its Apprentice Day, modeled after the hit TV show.
