Student Entrepreneurs: The High Schoolers Turning Ideas into Income
The spirit of entrepreneurship is alive and well—and getting younger. In schools across the region, high school students are launching businesses, selling products, and offering services that are gaining real traction in the community.
From handmade jewelry and streetwear clothing lines to tutoring services and app development, students are turning ideas from class projects and weekend hobbies into full-fledged business ventures. Some operate through Instagram or Etsy, others create websites or partner with local stores for shelf space.
At Mansfield High School, a group of juniors started a sustainable skincare line using natural ingredients and eco-friendly packaging. At Wrentham’s King Philip Regional, a senior built a web-based tutoring platform for SAT prep that now serves dozens of students locally and beyond.
For many of these teens, their businesses began with a problem they wanted to solve—whether it was finding affordable gear for their sport, addressing a need in their neighborhood, or pursuing a creative passion. What’s changed is their access to tools and platforms that make launching a business not just possible, but realistic.
Schools are taking note. Several have introduced entrepreneurship electives or partnered with local business mentors to support student ideas. Community organizations and chambers of commerce have also begun recognizing teen business owners with scholarships and awards.
Parents say the experience teaches more than business skills. Students learn time management, accountability, and communication—skills that will serve them in any career.
The local response has been overwhelmingly positive. Teachers promote student ventures in class, and neighbors are happy to shop small when it supports a teen trying something new. It’s a reminder that innovation doesn’t always wait for a degree or job title. Sometimes, it starts with a notebook sketch or a side hustle after practice.
These student entrepreneurs may not be old enough to vote, but they’re already making their mark on the local economy—and showing classmates what’s possible when you bet on your own idea.
