Guide to Resources for Young Entrepreneurs

America's youth – including recent graduates as well as those still in school – are swelling the entrepreneurship ranks in the U.S. Teens and 20-somethings are discovering that being your own boss is a heck of a nice idea. And since they are often some of the most tech-savvy people around, young entrepreneurs are finding it increasingly easy to locate and use the vast pool of resources available online to start and operate a business. Beyond the basic business resources available to anyone, there's specialized help aplenty catering specifically to youth interested in business ownership. You'll find everything you need to:

1. Find ideas and start a business
2. Locate free help, mentoring and other learning programs
3. Connect with other young entrepreneurs in the U.S. and worldwide

Business.com's "What Works for Business" blog is a great way to keep up with the latest solutions, trends and strategies for small and medium business.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Become a business achiever with Junior Achievement (JA)

JA is one of America's oldest and most successful organizations supporting youth entrepreneurship and education.

I recommend: The Junior Achievement Student Center is a terrific place to find a helping hand for planning and starting your own business. Inspire yourself and others with teen business stories – student entrepreneurs across America.

Find Gen-X and Gen-Y help

Gen-Y helps young entrepreneurs develop their business ideas with feedback and community support.

I recommend: Gen-Y has help, no matter how big or small your business, or what stage you are in. Submit your idea in the Brainstorm section for analysis. Gen-X Startup is another place for ideas and inspiration. Young Entrepreneur is a Web-based community of (you guessed it) young entrepreneurs where you can share ideas and information.

Test your skills with an online business simulation or game

As virtual CEO, you match wits in the competitive, high-tech industry of the "Holo-Generator" set in the year 2035, and try to crush the competition.

I recommend: JA Titan is a great business simulation targeting high school students. Inside, you enter a world in which players are CEOs of their own companies and must master key business decisions such as pricing, production, marketing and capital investment. Arcade Annie's is JA's new Entrepreneur Center game. Hot Shot Business is a business simulation game created by Disney and the Kauffman Foundation. Opportunity City, in Disney World's Innoventions at Epcot, is based on this award-winning game.

Discover youth business camps, biz startup workshops and other resources

The mission of YoungBiz is to empower youth with entrepreneurial, business and financial skills through innovative education and real-world experience.

I recommend: YoungBiz talks to teens interested in starting a business. Read success stories, network with other teens, learn about business startup camps, shop for startup tools and more.

Tap entrepreneurial support for young people from low-income communities

The National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship supports entrepreneurship training for low-income young people ages 11 through 18.

I recommend: This standout organization has worked with over 65,000 kids worldwide. NFTE has offices in major U.S. cities.Other areas are served by program partners.

Cash in on entrepreneurial help for college kids

Entrepreneurial activities on campus are booming.

I recommend: Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization (CEO) provides support, inspiration and information for college students interested in entrepreneurship. CEO sponsors events, awards and has chapters at dozens of universities. Young Scholars Program is a summer course at the University of Maryland where students work in teams to design a new business.

Get online mentoring from successful and high-profile young entrepreneurs

JA has teamed up with the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) to find young stars of the business world to answer your questions.

I recommend: Check out JA's Online Mentor. Entrepreneurs' Organization, founded 20 years ago by young, energetic entrepreneurs, has 6,000 members at 120 chapters in 40 countries. See EO chapter locations. JA also hosts live, online mentor discussions, where students worldwide are invited to log in and ask business-related questions. Check Online Mentor for news and details on upcoming discussions.

See biz kids on PBS-TV

This hip PBS show is funded until 2010.

I recommend: Biz Kid$ is a hip, half-hour TV show that teaches kids financial basics. In July 2006, the National Credit Union Foundation pledged $2 million to produce it for three years.

Connect with other young entrepreneurs around the world

Several key groups promote youth entrepreneurship worldwide.

I recommend: ICSB, based at The George Washington University School of Business in Washington DC, holds periodic conferences on youth entrepreneurship. Check for upcoming events at the Web site. YouthActionNet spotlights "social entrepreneurs" – young people spearheading positive change around the world. The Canadian Youth Business Federation will link you north of the border.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• NFTE was founded in 1987 by Steve Mariotti, a former business executive and entrepreneur, while he was a public high school teacher in the South Bronx. Of special interest are NFTE's excellent guidebooks (available at the Web site), including The Young Entrepreneur's Guide to Starting and Running a Business, written by Mariotti.