Teen Entrepreneurs Defy High Youth Unemployment by Creating Their Own Jobs in London

Youth Unemployment Sparks Entrepreneurial Spirit

As youth unemployment in Canada remains stubbornly high, a group of London teenagers is taking matters into their own hands by starting their own businesses instead of competing in a crowded job market.

A Youth-Led Vendors' Market

More than a dozen young entrepreneurs showcased their products at a youth-led vendors' market in London, Ontario, organized by 17-year-old Yusef Moustapha and his team.

"In the past, there haven't been many opportunities for youth entrepreneurs," said Moustapha, who runs a business selling life-sized coloring pages with his younger brothers. "We decided to start this market to give young people a platform to explore entrepreneurship."

The Reality of Youth Unemployment

Youth unemployment for those aged 15 to 24 rose to 13.3% as of December, down from a 15-year high of 14.7% in September (excluding COVID-19 pandemic periods). Moustapha noted that many of his friends struggle with job applications competing against thousands of others.

Young Entrepreneurs Share Their Stories

Erica Walcott: From Pandemic Hobby to Business

Erica Walcott started her handcrafted loom company at age 10 during COVID-19 lockdowns. Now 16, she uses Instagram and Etsy to promote her business and has learned valuable skills.

"You learn about customer service, money management, advertising, and marketing," Walcott said. "With every purchase, I save some money for my business and personal needs."

Challenges of Youth Entrepreneurship

Despite the benefits, young entrepreneurs face significant hurdles:

• High costs: Vendor fees, insurance, equipment, storage, and travel expenses
• Low profit margins: Small businesses often don't generate consistent income
• Time management: Balancing schoolwork with business responsibilities
• Customer acquisition: Building a customer base without established networks

Julien Walcott, Erica's mother, explained: "It can be a bit of a cost for these youth entrepreneurs who have very small businesses that don't really bring in money on a daily or sometimes not even weekly or monthly basis."

Luna Ngo: Finding Serenity in Business

Sixteen-year-old Luna Ngo sells relaxation products through her company, Serenity. She appreciates the flexibility of entrepreneurship but acknowledges the challenges.

"Since our company is very small, it's very hard for us to actually sell our product," Ngo said. "We have to really go out and knock on doors. Our raw material cost is very high and we have to try to sell them at a very reasonable price, so expenses are also a problem."

Sabrynah Guitar: Building Toward a Dream

Sabrynah Guitar, 16, manages her business while pursuing her dream of opening a coffee shop someday. "There's a lot of stress especially with schooling and having to make things," she said, "but entrepreneurship kind of runs in my family. We are good hustlers."

The Future of Youth Entrepreneurship

Organizer Yusef Moustapha plans to host more youth-led markets to help young entrepreneurs network and gain independence. "I think it's a great avenue, especially looking at the current job market for youth," he said.

These young business owners demonstrate that despite the challenges of high youth unemployment, entrepreneurship offers an alternative path to gain valuable skills, financial independence, and real-world experience.