Want to be your own Boss?
We know how challenging it can be to choose a career path or find a job that is aligned with your interests and values, so we created a program that offers you another option – TeenBoss™.
If you’re age 13-18 and have a Business idea you’re serious about – TeenBoss™ can help you take it to the next level!
TeenBoss™ is a training program for 13-18 year olds with a Business idea they wish to explore.
Let’s find out WHO is interested in buying what you’re selling; who your competitors are AND why your potential customers NEED your product or service. WHERE your potential customers usually shop - not everyone shops online! Would selling from a studio work best, or can you work remotely and operate the business from anywhere in the world? How much money comes in and how much money flows out of a business. TeenBoss™ gives you the opportunity to answer these and many other questions.
Training
We offer face to face training sessions with a Business Trainer. You will complete a series of worksheets while exploring your business idea with the trainer and your peers.
Business mentor
We will match you with a Business Mentor who will work with you online in between your training sessions.
Pitch your idea
At the end of the training sessions present your business idea to a small panel of Business Mentors who will score your presentation pitch. Just like SharkTank, you get to ASK for something (not money) that you need to help you progress your business to the next level.
Our Groups
We work with teenagers from a range of education and non-education settings across SE Melbourne including: mainstream schools; homeschools; youth groups and the NDIS. We keep our groups small to ensure our students receive one-on-one support.
We will be extending our reach to rural areas in 2025 through our online course.
Are you the next Nick Molnar (Afterpay) or Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht (Canva)?
This program is designed for teens looking for another option for their future income and lifestyle.
The TeenBoss™ team has years of experience when it comes to running a business. There are many moving parts to a business and not all of them fit into a business plan! It can be a lonely road sometimes when you are the only one that can see your vision. We show you some of the secrets that help to build a successful business …
Confidence
You’re not the only one who sometimes feels unsure about your business idea, most business owners have had moments of not feeling good enough, not feeling they deserve to have money, and even wonder if they’re doing the right thing!
There are many successful business owners who didn’t even finish school like Richard Branson. Mark Zuckerberg dropped out of Uni and Steve Jobs dropped out of college. This doesn’t mean you should, but it helps to know that ‘anyone can start a business’. Believing in yourself and your idea will drive you and your business forward.
Support
Having a support team around you can be invaluable. Finding the people who believe in you, who listen to your crazy ideas and understand how passionate you are about your business idea might take time but its an investment you will benefit from greatly. Your support team may only be one person, for others it may be 4 or 5, the number doesn’t matter. Your team may include a good friend; a family member; a mentor or another business owner. Make a conscious effort to find your support team.
Connections
Nobody has all the answers, that includes Business Mentors! If you want to open a hair salon, go and work or volunteer in a local salon to observe how things are done, ask questions, ask the owner if they would mentor you.
Most Councils run monthly networking meetings where lots of local business owners meet and get to know each other. The more business owners you know, the more people you have to ask for advice.
Apply to be a TeenBoss™
For our 2025 program register your interest below.
*Parental or guardian consent required if you are successful
The TeenBoss™ Team
TeenBoss™ is a social enterprise set up to support teenagers on their transition from schooling to working and generating income.
The TeenBoss™ Team is made up of Business Trainers and Mentors, all of whom own their own business or work in the field of supporting business owners.
Our aim is to encourage you, inspire you, motivate you and support you through the early stages of exploring your business idea.
Thanks to our generous Partners, Sponsors and Supporters.
Partners
Sponsors
Supporters
FAQs
We've listed the groups planned for 2025. If you register, please indicate which group you are interested in attending.
2025 Cranbourne West in Partnership with Pegasus Tuition (Term 2)
- Session #1 Saturday 26 April 11-2pm
- Session #2 Saturday 10 May 11-2pm
- Session #3 Saturday 24 May 11-2pm
- Session #4 Saturday 7 June 11-2pm
- Presentation Saturday 21 June 11-2pm
2025 Frankston (Term 2)
- Session #1 Tuesday 29 April 4-8pm
- Session #2 Tuesday 13 May 4-8pm
- Session #3 Tuesday 27 May 4-8pm
- Session #4 Tuesday 10 June 4-8pm
- Presentation Tuesday 24 June 4-8pm
2025 Mornington (Term 2)
- Session #1 Thursday 1 May 4-8pm
- Session #2 Thursday 15 May 4-8pm
- Session #3 Thursday 29 May 4-8pm
- Session #4 Thursday 12 June 4-8pm
- Presentation Thursday 26 June 4-8pm
*Please note, parental or guardian consent is required if you are selected. Also, price varies depending on group size and location.
You will attend 4 face to face training sessions (dates in FAQ)
You will be allocated a Business Mentor who will work with you in between the training sessions
After the training you will present your final idea to a small panel of mentors
At the presentation you can ASK for something (not money) to help you drive your business forward (like Shark Tank)
*Please note, parental or guardian consent is required if you are selected.
If you are 13-18 years old with a serious Business idea you would like to explore, complete and submit the registration form below.
When we receive your registration form we will email you.
If your application is successful you will be invited to attend an online meeting where your Business idea will be discussed in more detail.
If you are successful, parental or guardian consent is required before you can start.
If you are not successful this time, we will give you some suggestions and encourage you to apply again next time.
*Please note, parental or guardian consent is required if you are selected.
No. Running a business does not require a qualification, however some business services require you to be qualified.
- If your idea is to be a hairdresser - you need a hairdressing qualification.
- If your idea is to be a massage therapist - you need a massage qualification.
- If your business idea is to be a gardener - you do not need a qualification.
- In some cases you will require safety training to use certain tools or equipment.
You can still join TeenBoss™ but cannot start your business until you have the relevant qualification or training to operate your business legally. Without these you will not be able to get business insurance which we strongly encourage you to have.
*Please note, parental or guardian consent is required if you are selected.
More information coming soon.
Please note, parental or guardian consent is required if you are selected.
After you complete the TeenBoss™ training and pitch your Business idea to the panel of Mentors you have a choice.
You can either end your journey with TeenBoss™ , hopefully knowing much more about running a business! Or, you can continue to work with a TeenBoss™ Business Mentor for a further 2 months to research and develop a full TeenBoss™ Business Plan for your business venture.
More information about Phase 2 will be available after your business pitch.
Apply to be a TeenBoss™
Registering does NOT guarantee you a place on the TeenBoss™ program. You must be available to attend all training sessions and the presentation pitch. See FAQ for dates.
*** Please note, this program will NOT give you money to start a business.
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