Young entrepreneurs might find it hard to break into the entrepreneurial world simply because they are young. It’s easy to become discouraged and feel like adults or more experienced business owners look down on you, but when you discover that entrepreneurial spirit and pursue it with passion and determination, success is sure to follow. Gauri Singh can attest to that!
“Entrepreneurship has always been part of who I am,” says the 11-year-old founder of Gauri’s Gifts of Joy. “I’ve had a passion for selling and running my own business from 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 Joy in 2024. “My journey began with selling jewellery to family and friends, which marked the start of my entrepreneurial path. That experience sparked my love for building ideas into something tangible and showed me the excitement of creating value through business.
“What started as a small idea quickly grew into something more meaningful.” She discovered how much I enjoyed creating products that brought happiness to others.
Tackling Challenges with Much Support
As a young entrepreneur in school, Singh faces many challenges that teach her problem‑solving and resilience. “One of the biggest challenges is when customers order items I don’t have in stock. Balancing schoolwork while keeping clients happy means finding creative ways to source products quickly.
She credits her mom’s support as a key solution to overcoming challenges. “My mom plays an important role in helping with these tasks, and having someone I trust ensures I can meet customer needs, maintain credibility, and continue growing my business while managing my studies.”
Her mom also helps to keep track of expenses, income and her share of the profit. “My mom manages the admin, especially because we supply big businesses like Spar, Engen garages, Mia Nails, and Cellfix, which require proper documentation.
“I make a bit of profit, not much per gift, but at the moment it’s more about learning and the opportunity I’ve been given. The profit is reinvested back into stock, though I do get a share from it as well.”
The Perks of Being Young
Seeing as Singh is under 18, the law doesn’t expect her to register, comply with taxes or meet certain formal requirements. But this doesn’t mean that she doesn’t take consistent high standards seriously. Selling to retailers such as Spar means Singh has to offer quality products to her customers.
“The products we use for our gift bags come from credible suppliers who are already compliant with market requirements, since we don’t manufacture them from scratch. This ensures that everything we offer is fit for the market and meets quality standards,” she explains.
“One assumption people often make when they hear I’m a business owner under 18 is that my products can’t be good quality because I’m young. That’s simply not true. I take pride in sourcing from credible suppliers who are already compliant with market standards, and I carry out quality checks to ensure consistency. I also rely on feedback from clients and mentors to keep improving. Age doesn’t define the quality of my work; commitment, standards, and passion do.
“Mentorship and relationships play a huge role in my business. As a young entrepreneur, I lean 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 to the Future
She believes that her business is a long-term, sustainable endeavour that she will continue in high school and beyond. “I have been given the platform by Spar and my school, which I would like to show them my gratitude and expand beyond my current clients and eventually market my own skincare, perfumes and lip gloss for teens.
“Being a child myself gives me a natural sense of what kids love; that’s my secret. At the same time, we listen closely to our clients, who provide budgets and themes, and we build our products around those guidelines. Combining my own insight with client input helps me stay on top of what the market wants and deliver products that feel fresh, relevant, and exciting,” she concludes.
Young entrepreneurs might find it hard to break into the entrepreneurial world simply because they are young. It’s easy to become discouraged and feel like… Read More
