How I Started: Lessons from Entrepreneurs to the Next Generation

Kids Markets
  • 4.9 (53)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

The Kids Markets team brings you inspiring ideas from entrepreneurs to help children explore, innovate, and become a builder in their own right. How I Started features conversations with founders and young entrepreneurs about building businesses from the ground up. Hosted by Connor Boyack, the show explores the lessons, pivots, and mentorship behind successful companies. Episodes include long-form founder interviews and Startup Standouts, short spotlights on teens launching their first ventures through Kids Markets.

  1. Chris Koerner on Starting a Business, Testing Ideas, and Growing Through Action

    4d ago

    Chris Koerner on Starting a Business, Testing Ideas, and Growing Through Action

    A small start can shape an entire founder journey, and this episode shows exactly how that happens. In this episode of How I Started, host Connor Boyack sits down with Chris Koerner to explore how entrepreneurship often begins with curiosity, quick action, and a willingness to test simple ideas before feeling fully ready. Chris shares how he started a business as a kid, how that mindset stayed with him over time, and how he learned to grow a business by moving fast, noticing overlooked opportunities, and learning from mistakes. The conversation also explores startup pivots, practical takeaways, and why youth entrepreneurship matters in a world where adaptability, mentorship, and action can change a trajectory. Things You Will Learn How to start a business by acting on opportunities that others ignoreWhy choosing the right type of business matters for long-term successHow testing ideas quickly can help founders learn and adapt fasterThe mindset that helps founders act on opportunities earlyHow to recognize which business models fit your strengths and which do not Tools & Frameworks Covered Bias for action: helps you move from idea to execution without waiting too longSurface area: helps you create more chances to learn by testing more ideasParkinson’s Law: helps you increase output by tightening the space available for tasks #Entrepreneurship #FounderJourneys #YouthEntrepreneurship #StartABusiness #GrowABusiness

    24 min
  2. Connecting People and Finding Passion in Your Work: Kinsley’s Kreations

    Jun 24

    Connecting People and Finding Passion in Your Work: Kinsley’s Kreations

    Kinsley has packed a lot of passion into her business. After realizing there was a need for heartfelt greeting cards, she built a business around the idea of connecting people through real moments, not just a text from your phone. Kinsley has built an incredible community at the Kids Markets, and has many lessons to share. In this episode, she shares her love for her business, advice she has received and given, and how to is expanding her business. Guest Links: https://kinsleyayn.com/ Key topics: Diversifying product offerings can attract a broader customer base. Enjoying your work is essential for long-term success and fulfillment. Building connections with others can enhance your business journey.#GreetingCardBusiness #YouthEntrepreneur #HandmadeProducts #SmallBusiness #OrlandoSmallBusiness #HandmadeArt

    14 min
  3. How Jeff Harmon Started and Grew Angel Through Entrepreneurship, Mentorship, and Solving Pain

    Jun 17

    How Jeff Harmon Started and Grew Angel Through Entrepreneurship, Mentorship, and Solving Pain

    Every entrepreneur has a starting point, and sometimes it begins with something as simple as a paper bag of potatoes. In this episode of How I Started, host Connor Boyack sits down with Jeff Harmon, Co-founder of Harmon Brothers and Chief Content Officer at the Angel Studio, to explore how a small childhood business eventually led to the creation of Angel. Jeff shares how he started selling potatoes at age eleven to pay for school tuition, what those early experiences taught him about solving problems, of mentorship, how founders learn through mistakes and pivots, and why noticing problems others ignore can open unexpected opportunities. Things You Will Learn How Jeff Harmon’s first small business became the beginning of a lifelong path in entrepreneurshipWhy noticing everyday problems can help entrepreneurs find opportunities to start a businessHow mentorship, persistence, and experimentation shape founder journeys Tools & Frameworks Covered Pain as a signal for opportunity: how problems often reveal the next business ideaTesting small ideas quickly: learning what works before scaling a businessRunway in entrepreneurship: balancing early work or side hustles while building something bigger #Entrepreneurship #FounderJourneys #YouthEntrepreneurship #Mentorship #StartABusiness

    31 min
  4. How to Build Connections to Grow Your Business: Tyler’s Rocks and Gems

    Jun 10

    How to Build Connections to Grow Your Business: Tyler’s Rocks and Gems

    Tyler Grant has always loved cool rocks, he’s been collecting them since he was just 5 years old. When he discovered Kids Markets, he realized his hobby could turn into a profitable business. But to make sales and make money, he needed to be able to grow his inventory at wholesale price. Tyler walks us through how he was able to build connections and offers advice to anyone looking to do the same. Guest Links: https://www.instagram.com/tylers_rocks_and_gems/ Key topics: Building a networkBuilding connectionsPersonal growthStarting a business at any ageThe importance of treating people with respect #Kidownedbusiness #YoungEntrepreneur #RocksandGems

    15 min
  5. What Robert Irvine Learned After Starting His First Business at 31

    Jun 3

    What Robert Irvine Learned After Starting His First Business at 31

    Some of the most valuable business lessons don’t come from success but from the companies that don’t survive. In this episode of How I Started, Connor Boyack sits down with chef, entrepreneur, and business builder Robert Irvine, who shares how a love for home economics and understanding unit costs became the foundation for his first companies. Robert walks through his early seasoning business, the lessons learned from failure, why knowing your numbers matters more than motivation, and how discipline, mentorship, and product differentiation shape long-term success. Listeners will learn how entrepreneurial thinking applies far beyond startups, and why progress, not perfection, is what truly compounds over time. Things You Will Learn How understanding costs early can prevent common founder mistakesWhy product differentiation matters more than passion aloneHow entrepreneurial thinking applies beyond running your own businessTools & Frameworks Covered Unit Cost Analysis – helps founders price products sustainablyMarket Differentiation Thinking – clarifies why your product existsEarly Market Testing (Fairs & Pop-Ups) – validates demand before scaling #Entrepreneurship #FounderJourney #BusinessLessons #StartupMindset #HowIStarted

    21 min
  6. How Completely Changing Her Product Saved Her Business: The Bead Borough

    May 27

    How Completely Changing Her Product Saved Her Business: The Bead Borough

    However, it soon became apparent she needed to make a significant change in order to continue to grow her business. Sawyer shares the stories of her very first sales and how she learned a whole new skill for the sake of her business, The Bead Borough. Guest Links: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091766717247https://www.instagram.com/p/DX4zQr_iefc/Key topics: Youth entrepreneurshipCrochet businessLearning new skillsMaking the first sale#BeadBorough #YouthEntrepreneur #CrochetBusiness #MarketVendor

    13 min
  7. How Christina Tosi Started and Grew Milk Bar

    May 20

    How Christina Tosi Started and Grew Milk Bar

    Building something meaningful often begins with a small win, a lot of doubt, and the decision to keep going anyway. In this episode, Connor Boyack sits down with Christina Tosi, founder of Milk Bar and bestselling cookbook author, to talk honestly about how her love for baking slowly turned into a real business. Christina shares the early moments that shaped her confidence, the lessons she learned working for others before betting on herself, and the hard decisions that helped Milk Bar stand out in an industry crowded with look-alikes. This conversation is a reminder that success isn’t about following a perfect path, it’s about paying attention, adjusting when things don’t work, and staying true to what makes your idea worth building. Things You Will Learn How to differentiate in a crowded market without reinventing the categoryWhy early validation and competition can shape long-term entrepreneurial thinkingHow goal setting creates clarity while still leaving room for flexibility Tools & Frameworks Covered White Space Thinking – Helps founders adapt strategy without abandoning the visionGoal-Post Method – Turning long-term dreams into achievable short-term targetsDifferentiation Framework – Creating value in industries filled with similar products #FounderJourney #EntrepreneurMindset #StartupStories #CreativeEntrepreneur #HowIStarted

    26 min
  8. Turning Passion and Perseverance into Profits: The Vintage Violet

    May 13

    Turning Passion and Perseverance into Profits: The Vintage Violet

    Kenzleigh Reed-Wynn goes into depth about her journey with her small business, The Vintage Violet. Kenzleigh shares the heart and story behind her unique offerings, including build-your-own bouquets, homemade sugar scrubs, and simmer pots. Her challenges, accomplishments, and stories from the markets make for an excellent listen for entrepreneurs of all ages. Guest Links: https://www.instagram.com/kenz.thevintageviolet/ Key topics: Selling make your own bouquets Turning personal restrictions into product ideasYoung entrepreneurshipFacing weather challengesOvercoming shy tendencies#youthentrepreneurship #kidsmarkets #flowerbusiness #youngentrepreneur #smallbusiness #handmadeproducts #marketchallenges #personalgrowth #adviceforkids #floralarrangements

    18 min
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4.9
out of 5
53 Ratings

About

The Kids Markets team brings you inspiring ideas from entrepreneurs to help children explore, innovate, and become a builder in their own right. How I Started features conversations with founders and young entrepreneurs about building businesses from the ground up. Hosted by Connor Boyack, the show explores the lessons, pivots, and mentorship behind successful companies. Episodes include long-form founder interviews and Startup Standouts, short spotlights on teens launching their first ventures through Kids Markets.

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