Young entrepreneurs may find it difficult to enter the world of entrepreneurship because they are young. It's easy to get discouraged and feel like adults or more experienced business owners look down on you, but when you find that entrepreneurial spirit and pursue it with passion and determination, success is certain. Gauri Singh can confirm this!
“Entrepreneurship has always been a part of me,” says the 11-year-old founder of Gowri's Gifts of Joy. “I have had a passion for selling and running my own business since a young age. I believe this was indirectly instilled in me by my parents and further nurtured by my school.”
an early start
Gauri's gifts of happiness in 2024. “My journey began by selling jewelery to family and friends, which marked the beginning of my entrepreneurial path. That experience sparked my love for bringing ideas to fruition and gave me the excitement of creating value through business.
“What started as a small idea soon turned into something much more meaningful.” She discovered how much I enjoy creating products that bring joy to others.
Overcoming challenges with plenty of support
As a young entrepreneur in school, Singh faces many challenges that teach him problem-solving and resilience. “One of the biggest challenges is when customers order items I don't have in stock. Balancing school work while keeping customers happy means finding creative ways to get products out quickly.
She considers her mother's support as an important solution in overcoming the challenges. “My mom plays a vital role in helping with these tasks, and having someone I trust ensures I can meet clients' needs, maintain credibility, and continue to grow my business while managing my studies.”
Her mother also helps in keeping track of expenses, income and her share in profits. “My mom manages the admin, especially because we supply larger businesses like Spar, Engen Garage, Mia Nails and Cellfix, who require proper documentation.
“I make a little profit, not much per gift, but right now it's all about the learning and the opportunity given to me. The profits are invested back into the stock, although I still get a cut of it.”
benefits of being young
Given that Singh is under 18 years of age, the law does not expect him to register, comply with taxes or meet certain formal requirements. But that doesn't mean she doesn't take consistently high standards seriously. Selling to retailers like Spar means Singh has to offer a quality product to his customers.
“The products we use for our gift bags come from reliable supplier Which are already in line with market requirements, because we do not manufacture them from scratch. This ensures that whatever we offer is appropriate for the market and meets the quality standards,” she explains.
“An assumption people often make when they hear I'm a business owner under 18 is that my products can't be of good quality because I'm young. That's not true. I take pride in sourcing from trusted suppliers who are already up to market standards, and I perform quality checks to ensure consistency. I also rely on feedback from customers and consultants to continue improving. Age doesn't define the quality of my work; commitment, standards And do passion.
“Mentorship and relationships play a huge role in my business. As a young entrepreneur, I rely on my mentors and those who have walked this journey before me for guidance on tax matters and the realities of running a business. Their support helps me grow responsibly while maintaining high standards.”
looking towards the future
They believe their business is long-term, durable Try to get him to continue his education in high school and beyond. “I have been given the platform by Spar and my school on which I want to express my gratitude to them and expand beyond my current customers and eventually market my own skin care, perfume and lip gloss to teens.
“Having a child myself gives me a natural understanding of what kids like; that's my secret. Plus, we listen closely to our customers, who provide budget and themes, and we create our products according to those guidelines. Combining my own insights with customer input helps me stay on top of what the market wants and deliver products that feel fresh, relevant, and exciting,” she concludes.