Stuck? These 5 Roadblocks Are Holding You Back From Starting a Business

Have you ever had a GREAT idea to make money—like selling something cool, offering a service, or turning a hobby into cash—but then, something gets in your way? Maybe you don’t have enough money to start, or you feel like no one would buy from you. Maybe you're thinking, "I'm just a kid, how do I even start?"

I get it. I’ve been there. And guess what? So has every successful entrepreneur EVER. The difference between them and everyone else? They didn’t let obstacles stop them.

So today, I’m going to tell you the 5 biggest roadblocks that stop kids and teens from starting a business—and exactly how to break through them.

By the end of this episode, you’re gonna feel PUMPED to take action. No more waiting. No more excuses. Let’s go!

Hey, Cash Kids! Welcome back to the Cash Kid Podcast where I’m on a mission to teach  my generation (and some adults) how to earn, save, and invest money earlier in life. This season we’re focusing on kid and teen entrepreneurs. If you aren’t already, please subscribe to our show and share with a friend. Leave a comment from wherever you are listening and head to our website to purchase some Cash Kid merch to help fund our show. This is the best way for us to continue to grow and change the financial direction of the next generation.

Alright, now let’s get into the top roadblocks we face in starting a business. Let’s break it down starting with number 1.

Roadblock 1: Not Knowing Where to Start

Okay, let’s be real for a second. Starting a business can be overwhelming. With so many options, it’s tough to know where to begin. You might think, “Should I sell cookies? Or start a tutoring business? Or maybe create a YouTube channel?” It can feel like there’s just too much to choose from.

Here’s the thing—I’ve been there, too. I spent weeks thinking about what I should do, and then I realized that the best place to start was with something I already loved. Do you have a hobby or a skill you’re passionate about? It could be anything—from baking, drawing, or even gaming! The key is to build your business around something you already enjoy. Trust me, that passion will make it so much easier to stick with it when things get tough.

And listen, don’t overthink it. I know it sounds like a lot, but sometimes the best business ideas come from the things you already do every day. Do people ask you to help with their homework? Maybe you could start tutoring! Do you love animals? Maybe it’s time for a dog-walking business. The key is to solve a problem—whether that’s helping someone with their homework or providing a service people really need.

Rockblock 2: Not Having Enough Money to Start
Now, let’s talk about something that trips up a lot of young entrepreneurs—money. It’s true that many businesses need some upfront costs, whether it’s supplies, marketing, or tools. But here’s a secret: you don’t need to spend a ton of money to get started.

Let’s use the classic lemonade stand business venture. Most kids who set these stands up don’t have much cash or budget. But they figured out they could use things they already had at home: cups, a table, some lemonade mix, and a pitcher. That was it! They didn’t need fancy branding or a high-end website—just a simple idea and a little bit of effort.

If you want to start a business that requires almost no money, consider service-based businesses like tutoring, babysitting, or offering to do yard work like raking leaves. These kinds of businesses have zero startup costs, and you can start making money right away. And once you earn some cash, you can reinvest it into your business to make it even better.

Also, if you need a little extra cash to kickstart your idea, don’t hesitate to talk to your parents. Maybe they can help with a small loan to get