Among the many statistics that come with the end of the year, my eye fell on a message on the Dutch NOS news site: More and more enterprising teenagers start a business. In 2018 over 3500 Dutch youngsters between 13 and 18 years old registered with the Chamber of Commerce. A 30% growth compared to the year before. The young entrepreneurs sell clothes via internet, produce online videos or make websites. According to the Dutch Chamber of Commerce the entrepreneurial spirit of youngsters has multiple causes: ‘’This generation has more guts, is more curious ánd more stubborn. The internet brings the world at their feet and they have many idols like dj’s and vloggers who have their own enterprise‘‘.
Like Justin van Dongen, 16 year old, with a portfolio full of websites. ‘’It started as a hobby, but then I was looking for a creative way to earn money, I did not want to be a newspaper boy’’. He registered his company JKC Media with the Chamber of Commerce a couple of years ago. The young entrepreneur is also a student in vocational education. ‘’I have also worked in paid employment, but working for myself is much more fun. And it pays better as well’’. Now that the orders become more serious and the number is growing he has recruited a telephone operator who answers the phone when he is in school. He also has two freelancers to whom he gives assignments ‘’for example when I have exams’’.
78% of the young entrepreneurs are boys but also girls start their own business. Elles Bouwmeester for example, at age 16 she started her company El-Decoration with which she prints textiles and makes stickers. Elles’ bedroom is her office and besides her business she studies market communication in vocational education. Elles earns about €1000 euro a month with her company. She invests a lot of the money that she earns in new machines.
The Dutch Chamber of Commerce expects that more youngsters will register with their own company in 2019.
Most probably teenage entrepreneurs are not unique for the Netherlands. Have you heard about it in your country or in other countries? According to you, what are conditions that promote young people to become entrepreneurs? And what are obstacles? Let me know by commenting to this blog.
I wish you all an entrepreneurial and creative 2019!
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