Starting a business as a teenager can feel out of reach but young founders say the first step is usually simpler than people think: start small, solve a real problem and learn as you go.
03 July 2026 | 3 min read
9 July 2026
- Capability, not ambition, is the missing piece for many teens
- Founders aged 13 and 17, both on business number two, available for interview
- NAB shares 11 simple tips for starting a business before you even finish school
Confidence and experience remain key barriers
More than four in 10 Australian teenagers would consider starting a business if they knew where to begin, new NAB research shows, highlighting a gap that could limit Australia’s next generation of entrepreneurs.
Teens – spanning the youngest Gen Zs and oldest Gen Alphas – are thinking about side hustles and business ideas earlier than ever. But a lack of practical skills, experience and confidence is stopping many from taking the first step.
That gap matters. Without clearer pathways into business ownership, Australia risks missing out on future innovators, employers and small business owners.
Entrepreneurs Eliana Saad,13, and Amy Manole,17, are both on their second business.
Read about entrepreneurs Eliana Saad,13, and Amy Manole,17, and their advice for other teens here.
NAB Small Business banker Nikola Nanayakkara said the findings show a generation ready to have a go - but not always sure how to get started.
“Today’s teenagers think differently about work, opportunity and backing themselves,” Ms Nanayakkara said.
“The ambition is there. The challenge is helping young people turn an idea into action.”
The research also shows that ambition is not evenly realised. More boys plan to start a business, while fewer girls see that pathway for themselves, pointing to an opportunity to build confidence, visibility and access for more young Australians.
Turning a business idea into reality
To help bridge the gap between ambition and action, NAB’s Small Business team is sharing simple, practical steps young Australians can use to get started based on what they see work every day with customers.
“Starting a business doesn’t have to be complicated,” Ms Nanayakkara said.
“It’s about starting small, learning as you go and building confidence along the way.”
The findings are reflected in the experiences of teenage entrepreneurs Amy Manole and Eliana Saad, who both started young by backing a simple idea and are now each on their second business.
Teenage business owners leading by example
Amy, 17, launched I Heart Hoops in 2024 after spotting a niche in basketball-inspired jewellery for female players. She grew the business through social media and word of mouth, reinvesting profits to expand.
“For a lot of young people, the ambition is there, but it can feel like there’s no clear place to start but you learn by doing,” Amy said.
Eliana, 13, started activewear brand La Forte after identifying a gap in clothing for her age group. What began as sketches at 11 during Covid has grown into a business she runs alongside school.
“I’ve been part of every step, from design to packing orders,” Eliana said.
“It’s shown me what actually goes into building something, not just having the idea. My goal is to have a standalone La Forte store.”
The NAB Economics survey of 400 Australian teenagers found limited resources and lack of practical experience are the biggest barriers to achieving their goals after school.
Ms Nanayakkara said schools, families and industry all have a role to play but simple, practical steps can make an immediate difference.
“If we want more young Australians to turn ambition into action, we need to make the first step clearer,” she said.
NAB's 11 simple tips for starting a business before you even finish school
- Start with a problem you understand
Look at your own life. What’s missing or could be better?
- Keep it small
Don’t set out to “launch a business”. Try a simple idea and test it.
- Make your first version quickly
Done is better than perfect. You’ll learn by doing.
- Test before you spend money
Ask people if they’d buy it or take pre-orders first.
- Start with people you know
Friends, family and school networks are your best first customers.
- Use what you already have
Your phone, social media and friendship network are enough to begin.
- Learn from others
Find someone doing something similar and mirror the basics.
- Know your numbers
What does it cost? What will you charge? Are you making anything?
- Reinvest your first earnings
Use early money to improve or grow the business.
- Ask questions and get help
Speak to people who’ve done it. Most are willing to share advice.
- Expect things to go wrong
That’s normal. Every mistake helps you learn.
