This kit contains the 26 best resources on the YouthLead website related to youth in entrepreneurship. They are a great starting point for anyone who wants to learn more about the life of an entrepreneur and what starting a business requires. These resources are useful to all young changemakers and groups with a desire to tackle social issues through innovative business. As a result, the kit is broken up by resources that are useful for current and aspiring entrepreneurs, institutions and policy makers and social entrepreneurs. Fellow YouthLead members also share their experiences through YouthLead Ambassador led Webinars, as well as their responses to the question "How can you transform your own local community through entrepreneurship?"
YouthLead Ambassador led Webinars:
General Toolkits/Resources for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Youth Entrepreneurship - An Overview - This article explains the importance of youth entrepreneurship in relation to youth unemployment.
Creating a Business Plan Toolkit - This informational tool teaches the basics about starting a business plan.
Developing and Marketing Product Toolkit - This toolkit teaches the basics about developing and marketing a product.
Planning and Writing a Budget Toolkit - If you need to learn how to write a budget, this toolkit will show you what budgets are and how to write them.
The Art of Pitching, How to Write a Mind Blowing Pitch? - This list presents tips and tricks on how to write the perfect pitch.
10 Funding Opportunities Young Entrepreneurs Can Apply for Now - This list of funding opportunities will surely help you find funds to start your business!
Tips/advice from fellow entrepreneurs
5 Things Young Entrepreneurs Should Know Before Starting A Business - Ever been curious about what you should know before starting a business? This list is a great place to start.
Five Tips For Young Aspiring Entrepreneurs - Starting a business can be challenging. This list presents some tips and tricks for when you’re starting out.
7 Proven Tips for Young Entrepreneurs to Start Off Strong - This list of proven methods will surely help you spell success for your business.
The 20 BEST Pieces of ADVICE Every Aspiring ENTREPRENEUR Needs to HEAR! - In this video, successful entrepreneurs share the advice they wish they knew when they started out.
Women at Work - Looking to get inspired? Learn about some successful business women and their stories.
Resources for Institutions/Policy Makers
5 ways governments can unleash the power of young entrepreneurs - This article examines ways that policy makers can create a healthy culture for young entrepreneurs.
Sustaining Entrepreneurship Through Corporate Innovation and Intrapreneurship - This blog post presents challenges and barriers to intrapreneurship and how those hurdles can be faced.
Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) Panel on the topic of Youth Entrepreneurship - This panel recording covers the issue of diverse paths for youth entrepreneurship.
Five ways to strengthen youth entrepreneurship - This blog post summarizes ways in which youth entrepreneurship programming can be strengthened.
Social Entrepreneurship
Social Entrepreneurship: How You Can Profit By Making A Difference - This article explains what social entrepreneurship is and how you can get involved.
How to Generate Social Entrepreneurship Ideas: 3 Successful Social Entrepreneurs and How You Can Make a Difference - This blog offers up examples of social entrepreneurship projects to inspire you to make a difference in your community.
5 Powerful Ideas for Global Impact from Social Entrepreneurs - This list of videos presents the impact of social entrepreneurship and a good case why youth should get involved.
The Entrepreneurial Attitude: Lessons From Junior Achievement's 100 Years Of Developing Young Entrepreneurs - This book is a great read for young entrepreneurs to be inspired by others who came before them.
20 Social Entrepreneur Books That Will Inspire You To Impact The World - This list will give you many book options that will inspire your entrepreneurial goals!
7 Steps to Becoming a Successful Social Entrepreneur - This article provides seven tips for young social entrepreneurs just starting out.
Entrepreneurship in Specific Regions
Everything you need to know about West African startup landscape [2019 Update] - This brief summarizes everything that young entrepreneurs need to know entering the West African startup landscape.
My Life as an Entrepreneur in Egypt - This blog paints a realistic picture of the entrepreneurship experience in Egypt.
Challenges and Prospects of Youth Entrepreneurship Development in a Designated Community in the Western Cape, South Africa - This study examines the startup climate in South Africa for youth.
Your Comments
We asked, "How can you transform your own local community through entrepreneurship?"
"I can transform my local community by providing skills training to members/youths of my community. With the skills acquired, I believe they will mindfully contribute towards community development by giving back to the community with the skills and knowledge gained." - Elton Dunn Yoko
"I can transform my community through entrepreneurship by offering a social enterprise that develops the capacity of the employees and clients served. Imparting a mind-shift from just earning for self but service and when it gets to a point when everyone is thinking of helping someone else, then we will have a transformative community." - Olivia Shaw
"First is to share ideas, principles, skills and knowledge in relation to entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is the foundation of all business from grass roots therefore, education and trainings are best aspects for transformation that can be shared, that is, training and education open or highlights principles and aspects of entrepreneurship and also awaken the skills and knowledge and also improving morale for them to involve and commit themselves." -Kgalalelo Tlalanyane
"By encouraging small start-ups and innovations to continue and for them to grow.Also encourage them to do their small business and also access funds from banks and microfinance institutions." -Collins Wambugu
"By involving young people in entrepreneurship and innovation seminars, which will equip them with necessary knowledge to start up SMEs. Also engaging authorities in such discussions / seminars with youths, so they can give full support." -Isaac Ngwata
So Now What?: Setting the Starter Kit in Motion
1. Read through the available material. Use the Business Plan Toolkit, Marketing Product Toolkit, and Budget Toolkit as jumping off points.
2. Use The Art of Pitching resource to develop a pitch to potential donors. Use the Fundraising Starter Kit to explore funding opportunities, including crowdfunding, grants, and fundraising events.
3. If working with a team, convene a team meeting to debrief on lessons learned and applicability to your organization. Incorporate lessons learned into your organization’s business strategy.
4. Evaluate your success using the SMART Goals: A How to Guide rubric, making adjustments accordingly.
