Empowering Teens to Think Like Entrepreneurs: Building Leaders for a Global Future
By Otilia Qaraman
The first time I saw a 14-year-old stand before a panel of investors, presenting a bold idea for a sustainable restaurant business, I realised this was more than just a class project. His voice quivered at first, but his vision was clear, his figures were sound, and his passion illuminated the room. By the time he finished, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind — this teenager was a leader in the making. That moment was not a fluke. It is a glimpse of what occurs when you give young people the opportunity to think like entrepreneurs.
Why Entrepreneurial Thinking Can’t Wait Until Adulthood
We live in a world where industries change overnight, technology rewrites the rules of success, and global challenges require innovative solutions. Yet, in many classrooms, we are still preparing children for a world that no longer exists.
Entrepreneurial thinking is not just about starting a business — it’s about fostering a mindset:
- Seeing opportunities where others see obstacles.
- Taking action without having all the answers.
- Learning from failure without fear.
- Collaborating across cultures and perspectives.
When teenagers develop these skills early, they become adaptable, confident, and solution-oriented — qualities that will benefit them whether they become CEOs, scientists, social activists, or artists.
The Vision Behind Excellence Online Academy
I founded Excellence Online Academy with a simple but ambitious mission: to prepare the next generation for a globalised world. I wanted to create an environment where children, regardless of their socioeconomic background, could access the leadership, creativity, and entrepreneurial training often reserved for adults in elite circles.
Our Entrepreneurship for Youth programme was born from this vision. It is fully online, connecting students from different countries and cultures. Over several weeks, they work in teams, tackle real-world problems, design business solutions, and present their ideas to experienced entrepreneurs and investors.
The transformation we witness is truly inspiring.
From Shy Beginners to Bold Leaders
I remember a teenager who joined our programme almost reluctantly. On day one, they kept their camera off, spoke only when called upon, and doubted they had anything valuable to say or contribute. By the end of the course, they were leading their team’s pitch with confidence, answering challenging questions from investors, and speaking about their business model as if they had been doing it for years.
Another student, from a very different background, struggled with English as a second language but refused to let that be a barrier. They became the creative powerhouse of their team, designing an innovative mobile app and presenting with such conviction that the judges couldn’t help but be impressed.
These are not just “school achievements”; these are life-changing shifts in self-confidence and ability.
Why This Matters on a Global Scale
When we teach children to think like entrepreneurs, we’re not just preparing them for the job market. We are preparing them to lead.
A generation of young people equipped with problem-solving skills, cultural awareness, and the courage to take risks will be able to:
- Start businesses that create jobs.
- Lead initiatives that tackle social and environmental challenges.
- Collaborate across borders to find solutions that work for everyone.
The ripple effect is immense. One empowered teen can inspire a school, a community, even a country.
The Role of Adults in Shaping the Next Generation
As parents, mentors, and educators, we have a unique opportunity to influence the leaders of tomorrow. Many of us know firsthand what it feels like to face challenges, adapt to change, and turn obstacles into opportunities.
We can pass these lessons on. When children see adults leading with confidence, resilience, and integrity, it sends a powerful message: You can do this too.
A Call to Action
The future does not start when today’s teenagers turn 25 or 30. It is happening right now. If we delay teaching leadership, adaptability, and entrepreneurial thinking until they reach adulthood, we’ve waited too long.
It’s time for us, as a global community, to invest in our youth. Not just with resources, but with our belief in their potential. Let’s give them platforms to share their ideas, opportunities to test their skills, and mentors to guide their journey.
Because here’s the truth:
The world will always face challenges. But if we equip the next generation with courage, creativity, and the confidence to lead, the world will also find solutions.
I often think back to that teenage boy who wanted to run a sustainable restaurant. He finished the programme with a business plan, driven by the belief that he could make a difference. That belief is what entrepreneurship, at its heart, really teaches. And it is why I will never stop working to empower young people to think like entrepreneurs.
Because when they do, they don’t just change their own lives. They change the world.
