Creative Side Hustles for Teens: Empowering Future Entrepreneurs

Rachel Rodgers shares innovative side hustle ideas for teens, empowering them to cultivate confidence in pursuing their passions.

We all desire success, happiness, and financial security for the young people in our lives. However, achieving financial independence today is more challenging than ever. With rising living costs and economic shifts, traditional advice like “go to college and get a stable job” no longer guarantees a secure future. As a result, many teens are exploring side hustles to develop entrepreneurial skills and understand the value of investing early.

On a recent podcast, financial expert Jean Chatzky spoke with Rachel Rodgers, a strong advocate for teens to engage in side hustles. As the CEO and founder of Hello Seven and author of Future Millionaire: A Young Person’s Step-by-Step Guide to Making Wealth Inevitable, she emphasizes the importance of these ventures.

Why Traditional Jobs Fall Short for Gen Z

Jean Chatzky: Gen Z faces significant financial stress. A recent BankRate survey revealed that nearly half of Gen Z feels money adversely affects their mental health. Additionally, 40% report falling behind on retirement savings, leading them to feel unprepared for their future. What’s contributing to this mindset, and how can we assist them?

Rachel Rodgers: Gen Z is struggling more than previous generations. They face student debt, lower wages, and inflation, diminishing their buying power compared to their parents in similar stages of life. Many are still living at home, highlighting that simply advising them to get a job isn't sufficient anymore. We need a new approach — teaching them to become owners and investors. While getting a job is part of the equation, using earnings to invest or launch a side hustle is essential in today’s economy.

Encouraging Kids to Be Entrepreneurs

Jean Chatzky: Should everyone embrace entrepreneurship in some capacity?

Rachel Rodgers: Absolutely. Entrepreneurship fosters freedom. Young people must recognize their greatest asset is themselves — their skills, creativity, and interests. We should focus on monetizing these abilities.

For example, my daughter is an artist who crochets purses and earrings, selling them to friends and family during gatherings. Identifying natural talents and exploring how to market them within personal networks is the first step.

Empowering the Next Generation

Jean Chatzky: You define million-dollar decisions as those that enhance your time and energy for pursuing goals. Can you share an example?

Rachel Rodgers: Certainly. A million-dollar mindset is expansive. For instance, if someone wants to start a side hustle but feels uncertain, that’s not the end. Instead of thinking, “I can’t do this,” consider how you can learn and grow from this desire.

What resources do you have? Do you know any entrepreneurs? Can you read books about starting a business? Shift from feeling stuck to embracing the possibility of learning. This mindset shift will guide them toward the wealth they seek.