Do you remember your first lemonade stand? Or selling Girl Scout cookies?
For many kids, their first job is a way to make a few dollars (which they will later spend when the ice cream truck drives by), but for others it is a window into their future.
CNN.com posted an article featuring several young female entrepreneurs, and for me, one really stood out from the rest. The youngest entrepreneur on the list: Lizzie Marie Likness. I was most impressed with her and her success at such a young age. Starting her entrepreneurial career at the age of six to pay for her own horseback riding lessons, Lizzie sold homemade breads and cookies at local farmers markets. In 2007 Lizzie asked her dad to create a website for her so she could “teach people how to have fun cooking healthy with [her] cooking videos.” -LizzeMarieCuisine.com
Now, 11 years old, her website which offers cooking tips, recipes, and product reviews has received serious recognition and has helped Lizzie expand. Not only does she have a website:
“Her ‘Tasty Tidbits’ food education project won a grant in 2007 from DoSomething.org. This past January, Likness appeared with four other young grant winners in The Kindness Challenge, a philanthropic competition run by DoSomething.org, USA Today and the Rachael Ray Show. Likness also appeared on a panel at Digitas’ NewFront 2011, discussing new media and how it affects relationships with friends and family.” –CNN.com
This amazing young entrepreneur is currently creating her own cookbook and hoping to produce her own line of food products, (or join a chefs known brand), in the near future. Lizzie has accomplished a great deal already and is just getting started – she dreams of hosting her own TV cooking show one day.
Being home schooled has helped Lizzie to focus on her blog, videos and cooking skills. She is able to take time off for events and catch up (or get ahead) when she doesn’t have as much going on with her cooking career. Not everyone has this kind of flexibility at such a young age, but that shouldn’t stop them.
Lizzie’s advice for young entrepreneurs? Don’t be afraid to ask for help, start small, and if you encounter doubters, “that’s their own problem.” –CNN.com
How can you get started? Find something you enjoy and spend time with it. Share your experience with others and take advice when advice is given. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, everyone makes them (even if they don’t like to admit it)!
Do you know any other amazing young entrepreneurs? Please share with us!
*All food images used are from LizzieMarieCuisine.com












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