Jayden Karlee Castillo embarked on her entrepreneurial journey at the age of six, selling toys in front of her residence.
Now, three years later, she continues her business, expanding her product range and reaching out to more customers.
Recently, Castillo participated in the inaugural Kids Markets event in Millarville, Alta., near Calgary, showcasing items like self-made bracelets, earrings, and 3D-printed toys, alongside hand sanitizers and squishies sourced from wholesalers.
Having saved money for a trip to Japan and the Philippines, Castillo has additional plans, including treating her parents to a special dinner.
The Kids Markets program, enabling children aged five to 17 to sell their products, is just one of the platforms supporting young entrepreneurs in bringing their ideas to fruition.
Kids Markets Calgary recorded an average of 16 youth-run businesses at each market event since its launch in June this year.
In British Columbia, children can engage in selling through BizKids Market, while Toronto hosts an annual marketplace known as Kid2Kid. Additionally, events like the Children’s Business Fair in Brandon, Man., offer similar opportunities nationwide.
Jodi Letkiewicz, a finance assistant professor at California State University, observes a growing trend in young entrepreneurship, attributing this surge to various factors.
Lemonade Day Calgary, a program supporting kids in running lemonade stands, attracted 792 participants this year, signifying a significant increase from the 164 participants during its 2023 inception in Calgary.
Letkiewicz notes that while there isn’t a single reason for the rise in youth entrepreneurship, social media plays a vital role in exposing children to peers engaged in business ventures.
Accessible online platforms like YouTube offer children avenues to learn about entrepreneurship, supplemented by AI tools aiding in various business aspects such as idea generation, branding, market research, and basic financial management.
Jodi Letkiewicz, an assistant professor of finance at California State University, focuses on parental influence on children’s financial knowledge and behaviors.
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