Inside the Mind of a 15-Year-Old Entrepreneur

Asher Vogt, Reporter

Business: it runs the world. That fish your neighbor got at the supermarket? Business. The burger your dad got from that restaurant? Business. Your uncle trying to sell his mixtape at the family dinner? Business.

Entrepreneurs around the globe are the reason why food is on people’s plates, how cars run. Some entrepreneurs even come out of the woodwork as children. According to a poll from Gallup, around 40% of children want to start their own businesses. Olivia “Fayth” Zierenberg (10) makes a striking example of a young entrepreneur, starting a company of her own at 15 years old.

Zierenberg runs her jewelry business, “Fayth & Mum Co.” with the help of her family, who she gives most of the credit to for the company’s success.

“I wouldn’t be in the position I am in if it weren’t for the help of my family,” Zierenberg said. “They basically helped package and sell my products to a massive extent which I am eternally grateful for. It means a lot to me.”

(On the left) Olivia Zierenberg (10) is on a rendezvous with her friends at a local cafe on a Saturday afternoon.

Her mother, father, and sisters are the main individuals who help her with the company.

“My parents and siblings all have companies of their own, which sort of inspired me to make my business too,” Zierenberg said. “They were really helpful, since they gave me a lot of background information that I wouldn’t have known without them.”

The price range in which Olivia sells her jewelry can normally range from $20-$30.

“Usually, with other mainstream jewelry companies, they usually price their items over $100, maybe even $1000,” Zierenberg said. “That price is way too expensive for most people, including me. That’s why with my company we decided to cut down prices to make our jewelry affordable and accessible to people who might not even have $100 to spend.”

Despite her current dedication and motivation to run her company, Zierenberg doesn’t show interest in running it for a long period of time.

“I think of my company as a stepping stone, I’m not going to run it forever and I know that as a fact,” Zierenberg said. “It’s truly a great experience, and I am proud of myself for how far I’ve come. One day I’ll start another company with more experience, which may or may not pertain to anything related to jewelry.”

The company is changing Zierenberg as a person.

“The way it’s changing me is so strange because I’m learning lessons in life solely through running a business, along with the help I’ve been given,” Zierenberg said. “Along with the positive things about business, the negative things taught me a lot too. It’s difficult for me to stomach when something doesn’t go right, whether it be disappointing sales, or just generally something that messes something up in the company. It’s really stressful, but it helped me learn where I could improve in the most brutal way possible, but at the same time the most effective.”

Zierenberg is aware that there are aspiring young entrepreneurs like herself.

“If I were to go back in time and tell myself something, I would say to myself that no matter how bad or disappointing the results of your company may be, don’t use it as a sign to give up. Instead, think of it as a lesson, and motivation to improve what you fell flat on.”