Business

Starter Kit
Design your
own business
TABLE
of contents

Intro: What is an entrepreneur? 2

Section 1: Develop your big business idea 4

Activity 1: Turn your hobbies into ideas 6
Activity 2: Brainstorm your business idea 8

Section 2: Make a business plan 14

Activity 1: Find your target customers 16
Activity 2: Set your business apart 18
Activity 3: Create your action plan 20
Activity 4: Craft your vision 22

Section 3: Design your brand 24

Activity 1: Name your business 26
Activity 2: Create a logo 28
Activity 3: Make business cards 33

Section 4: Make marketing magic 34

Activity 1: Create a print ad 36
Activity 2: Design your own merch 38

Section 5: Share and tell 40

Activity 1: Present and share your business 42

1
 What is an
entrepreneur?

An entrepreneur is someone who makes money

by running their own business. Some entrepreneurs sell
products like candles, jewelry, and notebooks.
Other entrepreneurs make money by doing tasks and
services, like DJs and dog walkers. And some make money
by creating content, like YouTubers.

Most of the entrepreneurs you know are likely

adults, but you can build a business at any age. Running
your own business is a fantastic way to earn
your own cash. Throughout the kit, you’ll read stories
from young entrepreneurs who started their own
successful businesses while still in school.

2
SPOTLIGHT ON
The Gill Brothers: Collin (13), Ryan (11), and Austin (8)

When the three Gill brothers asked their parents for money to buy Nerf Blasters and
a PlayStation 4, their Mom and Dad didn’t just hand over the cash. Instead, they said,
“Get a job — or start a business.” The boys decided to start a business hand-making and
selling candles, and Frères Branchiaux (which is pronounced “Frair bron-shee-oh” and
means Gill brothers) was born.

With the help of family, the brothers make and sell their products online. Those products
have now expanded to include room sprays and soaps too. The business’s success has
allowed the boys to buy their own toys and learn valuable life skills, like public speaking
and empathy (they donate some of their profits to the homeless). And Mom has even
added business lessons to their homeschool schedule.

“We get to make

our own money,
and we’re our own
bosses, too.”
– Collin

Frères Branchiaux
freresbranchiaux.com

Scan the QR code to read more inspiring

BONUS: stories on the Shopify Blog about kids like
you who have started their own business!

3
 Section 01

Develop
your big
business idea
Transform your interests into a business!

Start exploring your

interests, and think about
how they could help you
come up with a business
idea from scratch.

4
 Activity 1

Turn your hobbies

into ideas
What are you passionate about? Goal:
Identify your favorite hobbies

Start by thinking about what you enjoy doing Time it will take:
the most in your free time (after school, on the About 30 minutes

weekends, before school, etc.).

You’ll need:
• A pen or a pencil
Do you play sports? Do you make awesome art?
Or do you have the most fun in the kitchen
whipping up delicious treats?

Whether your favorite hobbies are playing

sports, creating art, or cooking — you can use
your interests as inspiration for your business. TIP:
What you circle will help you create
a business concept in Activity 2.
Focus on choosing activities,
Directions: interests, and products that you
Step 1: On the next page, circle the activities you think could become business ideas.

enjoy the most.

Feel free to write down anything else you love doing

that’s not on the list.

Step 2: Once you’ve identified your favorite activity,

sketch it out.

6
Activities Interests Products
Baking Animals Accessories
Camping Astrology Beauty
Coding Astronomy Board games
Cooking Construction Books
Crafting Engineering Building blocks
DJing Geography Cellphones
Dancing Health Collectibles
Doing yoga Inventing Fashion
Drawing Nature Haircare
Gardening Pets Plants
Hiking Podcasts Puzzles
Journaling Pottery Robotics
Listening to music Science Skincare
Making videos Tech Toys
Painting YouTube Video games
Playing an instrument
Playing sports
Playing video games
Reading
other activity other activity
Running
Sewing
Skiing
Snowboarding other activity other activity
Surfing
Swimming
Taking photos
Volunteering
Walking
Watching sports
Writing

7
Activity 2 Activity 2 Activity 2 Activity 2 Activity 2 Activ

Brainstorm your
business idea
Have fun making money. Goal:
Create a mind map and
identify a business concept
Now you have a list of your favorite hobbies and
activities. It’s time to think about how you could turn Time it will take:
30 minutes – 1 hour
the thing you love most into a business.
You’ll need:
Using your favorite interest, create a mind map by • A pen or pencil
following the steps on the next page. • Stickers

8
Directions:
Step 1: In the middle circle, write out the name of your favorite activity.

Step 2: Use the smaller circles to write ideas that connect to the activity you chose.
Include the gear, tools, and accessories you need for your chosen activity. For example,
if the activity in the middle circle is “arts + crafts,” you might draw smaller circles related
to that, like art supplies, art galleries, and YouTube tutorials.

Step 3: As you fill out the circles, ask yourself, “What else can I add to the map that
relates to this activity?” Use each connection line to think of more ideas. Notice how
one idea can lead to another.

Online Scrap Paints

booking
Paint
In-person
brushes

Art class Art supplies

Arts + crafts
Rocks
Pottery
+ gems

Found
Art galleries
object art

Picture
Sculpture YouTube frames
tutorials

DIY DIY
resin art jewelry

9
10
11
 Step 4: Use your mind map to pick out and organize your top business ideas.

Organize your ideas with the star stickers in this kit:

• Put the green stars on products you could sell
• Put the orange stars on services you could create
• Put the pink stars on themes you could use for recording content for a podcast
or YouTube channel (things like sports, fashion, or crafts). Note: Make sure you
have your parents’ permission to use social media before creating or posting any
content on social media.
• Put the yellow stars on the ideas you like best

Step 5: Put it all together! Write down your

favorite concept for a business idea in the box
below and use stickers to dress it up. Now, you’ll
use this business idea to build a plan for your
very own business.
BONUS:
Use a tablet or phone with internet
access to scan this QR code and
Tips: visit the Shopify blog. There you’ll
discover some back-to-school
• Your big business idea can be a service, business ideas.
product, or content idea.
• Your business idea doesn’t have to be brand
new. It’s okay if your idea already exists — many
entrepreneurs start businesses to improve
existing products, like creating a softer stuffed
animal or candles with different scents.

12
More business ideas

Are you feeling stuck? No worries, here are some business ideas
to get you started. There are so many things you could try:

Bake cupcakes and cookies to sell to your neighbors, family,

and friends.

Buy items and resell them for a higher price. Host a garage sale to
sell some of your old toys and clothes. Or check out second-hand
stores to find affordable items to resell.

Make natural beauty products like homemade lip balms and soap.
Need help creating your beauty products? There are a lot of great
tutorials online.

Help take care of your friends’ and families’ pets.

Create handmade gifts like candles or greeting cards.

Wash cars for neighbors.

Tip:
If you’re having trouble developing your business idea,
remember that the best businesses help people solve a problem.
For example, washing cars helps your neighbors transform their
cars from dirty to clean, and creating greeting cards help people
celebrate important events.

13
 Section 02

Make a
business
plan
The blueprint for your business

Clarify your idea, research

your ideal customers and
your competitors, and build
your confidence.

14
What is a business plan?

A business plan is a document that describes your business — what you’ll sell, how you’ll
earn money, and how you’ll be successful.

15
 Find your target
customers
Who are your customers? Goal:
Create a picture of who
your customer is and what
To make money, you need customers. It’s easier to they’re like
get customers when you get to know them and
Time it will take:
understand what they want and need. Outlining
30 – 45 minutes
who your customers are and what they like makes it
easier to make products or services that they’ll like You’ll need:
and advertisements that will grab their attention. • A pen or pencil
• Stickers

Directions:
Step 1: Think about who your perfect customers are and draw their faces below.

Step 2: Answer the questions about your customers on the next page.

16
How old are they? (Teenagers, infants, toddlers, What do they do for work?
elementary school students, young adults, What do they spend their money on?
seniors. etc.)

Where do they live? (Which country and region

do they live in? Is it a big city, a small town, or in
the countryside?)

Where could you advertise to them? What are their hobbies and
(Could you place advertisements at the library? favorite activities?
Or in mailboxes? Those may be excellent places
to advertise your business)

17
 Activity 2

Set your
business apart
What makes your business special?

A unique selling proposition (USP) is what makes Goal:

Find out what makes your
a business stand out from competitors. For
business unique by learning
example, think of how many different juices are
about your competition
at the grocery store. These companies all sell the
same product (juice), but they stand out in different Time it will take:
ways. Some juices are organic, some have bright 1 – 1.5 hours
and fun packaging, and some contain low sugar.
USPs can include eco-friendly ingredients, cool You’ll need:
• A pen or pencil
packaging, and healthy ingredients.

You can make your business stand out by

researching your competitors. Learn more by
searching online, or by talking to friends and
family about them.

Example
A dog walking business’ competitors are:

• Other dog walkers

• Local doggy daycares
• A dog walking app

18
Once you’ve found two competitors, answer the questions below.

Competitor 1 (list their business name):

What do they do well?:

What don’t they do well?:

What can I do that is better or different?:

Competitor 2 (list their business name):

What do they do well?:

What don’t they do well?:

What can I do that is better or different?:

19
 Activity 3

Create your
plan of action
Let’s get down to business. Goal:
Design a detailed plan for
your business

Time it will take:

My business idea is: 1.5 hours

You’ll need:
• A pen or pencil

My product/service is:

What will make my business stand out from others?

Who are my target customers?

20
Where can I advertise? (I.e., on social media, the local newspaper, posters?)

Where will I sell?

How much will the product or service cost?

Tip:
A good rule is to set your price at least Other things to think about:
twice the amount it takes to create your • The cost of advertising your business
product. If you provide a service, think • The cost of paying people to help you
about the cost of any supplies you need with your business
to do your job and how long it will take to
complete your task.

21
 Craft your
vision
Build the business of your dreams. Goal:
Create a vision board for
your business
Now that you have your big business idea, create a
vision board. Time it will take:
1 – 2 hours
A vision board is a collection of images, illustrations,
You’ll need:
and words representing your goals and dreams.
• Pens, pencils, crayons,
Vision boards are a great way to stay inspired as a
and markers
business owner. • Stickers
• Cardstock included with
Your board can include: the kit
• Products you might sell
• Colors you like Extra materials
(optional):
• Why you are excited to start your business
• Magazine clippings
• Anything else that fits the vibe of
• Printed images
your business • Color, pattern, or fabric
samples
• Tape or a glue stick

Check out Burst, Shopify’s free stock photo

BONUS: site, for fun images you can download and
print for your vision board.

22
23
 Section 03

Design
your brand
Build something special

Creating a memorable
brand is important because
it helps connect what you’re
selling with who you’re
trying to reach.

24
Think about the products, logos, colors, and fonts that make a business unique — all of
those factors are a part of a brand’s identity. Now you’ll create your very own brand for
your business!

Can you find the following items in the graphic above? See if you can find a dice, snake, apple, dollar sign, dollar bill,
and the Shopify logo.

25
 Activity 1

Name your
Goal:
Create a business name

business The time it will take:

30 minutes – 1 hour

You’ll need:
Create a business name customers • A pen or pencil
will remember. • Stickers

Your business name is one of the most important branding pieces of your business
because it’s the first thing customers will see and hopefully recognize.

Tips:
• Your business name should be simple so that customers can easily remember it.
• Your business name should be easy to pronounce, spell, and search for.
• Avoid making your name too specific. For example, the name “Taj’s Cupcakes”. Taj’s
Cupcakes is a great business name, but what if you eventually want to sell more
than just cupcakes? Maybe the brand name becomes “Taj’s Baked Goods.” Giving
your business an inclusive name helps set your business up for the future.
• Your brand name should be unique to your business and stand out.

Directions:
Step 1: Write out nouns (person, place, or thing) that describe your business (if you were
selling gems, these words could be rocks, gems, stones).

Step 2: Write out adjectives (words that describe the nouns like cool, creative, sweet,
salty, vibrant) to describe what you will sell.

Step 3: Look at all the words and develop creative ways to combine your nouns and
adjectives. Play around with different adjectives until you find a name you love!

Check out the Shopify business name

BONUS: generator if you’re stuck or need some
inspiration.

26
 Nouns

Adjectives

Name ideas
and combinations

Select the best option for your business name and write it below.
You can use stickers to add emphasis:

27
 Activity 2

Create a logo
It’s time to get visual and design Goal:
Create a logo for
a logo. your business

The key to creating a good logo is making it unique Time it will take:
1 – 2 hours
and simple enough for customers to remember. A
well-designed logo connects with your business and
You’ll need:
helps people remember and recognize it. • A pen or pencil
• Colored pencils
In this activity, you’ll sketch a few different versions • Markers
of your logo before designing the final one. You’ll
flex your creative muscles and spend some time
dreaming up as many different options as possible.

Need some inspiration? Check out some of your

favorite brands online and look at their logos.
Examine the colors, words, shapes, and images,
and ask yourself why you think they chose those
specific details. What can you learn and borrow
from their designs?

BONUS:
Check out Hatchful, Shopify’s online logo maker, to generate
some ideas or create a digital version of your logo.

28
29
 Step 1: Write your business name. Next, write your Tip: Play with different fonts for
your logo. For example, you can
business name in different layouts by stacking the words
use block letters, bubble letters, or
and/or letters. Another way you can get creative with your
cursive if you think the style relates
logo is by putting the words on a curve or around a shape well to your brand.
(such as a circle, rectangle, or square).

30
Step 2: Draw some symbols and shapes that represent Tip: You can use different symbols
and shapes to represent ideas. For
both your business idea and the words in your
example, you can use a sketch of the
business name.
sun to express “bright” and “happy”
thoughts and feelings.

31
 Step 3: Put it all together! Combine your favorite design Tip: You may want to sketch a few
different options before landing on
for your business name with the symbols and shapes you
the final version of your logo. Take
like best. Try putting the logo inside a container shape,
your time and have fun with the
like a square or circle. Once you’ve created a logo you designs!
love, feel free to add some color to it.

32
Make business
cards
Take your business on the go. Goal:
Make business cards

Bring your creative ideas together on business cards Estimated time to complete:
that you can share with friends, family, or new 1 – 2 hours
people you meet (who could turn into customers).
Materials you’ll need:
• A pen or pencil
Directions: • Stickers
• Tear-apart business card
Use the tear-apart cardstock to create ten business paper (included with
cards that include your name, business name, and the kit)
shiny new logo.
Extra Materials
(if you have them):
Tips: • Colored pencils
• Markers
If you ever want to create a website and/or email
address for your business, think about including that
information on the cards as well. Make sure to check
with your parents first!

NOTE The tear-apart business cards are

included with this kit.

33
 Section 04

Make
marketing
magic
Attract customers for your business

Let the world know your

business exists so you
can find new customers and
make some sales.

34
What does marketing mean?

Marketing includes different activities and methods designed to promote and grow your
business. Marketing is key to attracting customers and letting people know your business
exists. Marketing activities include making print and web ads, posting flyers, sending
emails, and more.

SPOTLIGHT ON
Kamaria Warren (12)
Brown Girls Stationery
brown-girls-stationery.myshopify.com

When Kamaria was looking for role models, strong Black women and girls were hard to
find in pop culture. She decided to do something about it — and started a business.

With the help of her mom, Kamaria launched Brown Girls Stationery, a brand of school
supplies featuring faces that reflected her own — and other kids from underrepresented
communities. Between jazz, acro, and musical theater, the busy 12-year-old is learning to
be a boss, too.

“Go for your

wildest dream.
Do whatever you
want to...”
– Kamaria

35
 Activity 1

Create a
print ad
Goal:
Create a print ad

Estimated time to complete:

How do you want your print ads to 1 – 2 hours

look and feel? You’ll need:

• Writing utensil
• Stickers
Create a print ad designed to attract new
• Print ad space (provided)
customers. The format and where you want to post
them are up to you. After all, you are your own boss! Extra Materials
Think about where your print ad could attract the (if you have them):
most customers. Some ideas could be your local • Colored pencils
newspaper, on a community mailbox, local bulletin • Markers
boards, or think big and create a billboard ad. • Paints
• Magazine clippings
• Printed images
Create your ad with markers, magazine clippings,
• Photos
or whatever materials you have available. Use the
space provided as a canvas for your ad.

Directions:
Step 1: Use the space on the next page to sketch
Tip:
out some ideas for your poster and/or magazine ad.
Use this page as a workspace to play around. Don’t forget to include your brand
name and logo. If you’d like, get
creative and write some headlines
Step 2: Use the cardstock provided (hint: it came
to include in your ads.
with the kit) to finalize your ads. The paper includes
mock-ups you can use to see what your ads may
look like in real life.

36
Sketch out your first draft
Sketch your ideas on this page, grab the poster that came with your kit, and create your
polished ad.

37
 BONUS:
Design your
own merch
You’ve put in so much work, and Time it will take:
1 – 2 hours
now it’s time to make it official.
You’ll need:
• White or light clothing item (100%
Use the provided materials to show off your cotton or poly/cotton blend)
amazing work by creating some branded • A heat-resistant surface
merchandise. • A household iron
• A smartphone with a camera
• An inkjet printer
Use the iron-on paper included in your kit to
• A computer
put your business logo on a t-shirt, tote bag, • A large cotton pillowcase
or whatever clothing you have available.

Tips to get the best results:

DON’T:
• Use a laser printer.
• Use the steam setting for the iron. Note:
• Use an ironing board, glass, granite, concrete, or other
This is a bonus activity. If you
heat-sensitive surfaces.
prefer, you can skip this activity and
head to Section 5 of the workbook.
DO:
The final step of building your
• Empty all water from the reservoir and put the steam
business is to share your business
setting OFF.
with others.
• Use the iron-on paper in a well-ventilated area.
• Use white or light-colored fabrics.
• Use a cotton or poly/cotton blend fabric.
• Iron on a heat-resistant surface, such as a wooden table.
• Follow washing instructions before wearing.

38
 You need a hot iron to use the iron-on paper.
NOTE Make sure you have the permission (and help) of
your parent or guardian.

Iron-on transfer instructions:

Logo:
Step 1: Prepare your logo
• Take a picture of the logo you created in Section 3, Activity 2.
• Make sure to flip your logo. It may be easiest to flip your image on a
mobile device before sending it to the computer.
• Send your picture to a computer connected to a printer.
• Check your printer settings; single-sheet feeding is recommended.
• Test print your design on plain paper to ensure the design looks accurate.

Flipped logo:
Step 2: Print logo
• Insert the transfer sheet into the feeder (remove all other paper).
• Print your image/logo on the white imaging side of the transfer sheet
(vs. the side with a pattern).
• Trim your printed image before preparing to iron.
• Optional: For best results, use an image with rounded edges to avoid
corners lifting off after washing.

Step 3: Iron printed logo

• Preheat iron to the hottest “cotton” setting. No steam.
• Prepare a hard, heat-resistant surface, such as a wooden table. Do not use an ironing board.
• Place a pillowcase or t-shirt between your hard surface and your garment. Place your iron-on paper (pattern up)
on the area of the clothing you’d like to add it. With firm pressure, press and move slowly across the garment.
Holding each press for 45 seconds, ensure all edges and corners are firmly pressed and overlapped.
• Continue to press over the entire logo/image again, holding for 45 seconds until the entire image has been
pressed. Total ironing time should be 5-6 minutes.
• After pressing, slowly peel off the iron-on paper from the garment. Use caution. The iron-on paper will be hot.

Step 4: Leave finished item for at least 24 hours

• After 24 hours, fabrics may then be machine washed separately, inside out, in cold water.
• Do not use bleach, bleach-additive detergent, or fabric softener.
• Dry at normal setting.
• Do not dry clean.

Step 5: Wear your fantastic new creation!

39
 Section 05

Share
and tell
Show off your brand new business

You’ve built the foundation

of a great business. Now, it’s
time to share your idea with
family and friends.

40
Congratulations, you’ve put in the work and accomplished designing your own business!
• You created a business concept.
• You named and branded your business.
• You developed creative work for print ads.

Time to share it with the world!

eB scguoaoer kaet

anshcce epek a

neses fo muohr

nad ermbemre ot

tpu nfu onti

teyvengrih oyu od

remember into to of courageous

WORDS do chances put take keep Be humor
sense fun a everything and you

41
 Activity 1

Present and share

your business
It’s time for show and tell! Goal:
Share your business

You made it! Congratulations on completing the Time it will take:

Business Starter Kit. 1 – 2 hours

You’ll need:
Now it’s time to present your brand to those around
• This kit
you. Gather your parents, guardians, siblings, and • Your business cards
pets, and walk them through all the work you’ve • Your merchandise
done. Make sure to bring your business cards and • Digital slides (optional)
merchandise!

If you want to host a digital presentation for a wider

audience, create some digital slides, host a video
call, and schedule the presentation with more of
your family and friends.

What’s next now that you’ve completed your kit?

Great job completing all of your activities; now, the

rest is up to you — whether you’re ready to dream up
another business idea or start putting this business
plan into action. Good luck, and most importantly,
have fun!

42
SPOTLIGHT ON
Riley Kinnane-Petersen (11)
Gunner & Lux
gunnerandlux.com

When Riley was five years old, she loved playing dress-up. Her two dads asked friends
and family to donate their old necklaces for her to play with. But Riley did something
unexpected: she took them apart and designed her own. That’s when her family had the
idea to sell them at Riley’s annual lemonade stand.

When Riley’s dad John posted photos to Instagram, his friends asked where they could
buy her necklaces. So he set up an online store called Gunner & Lux. Six years later,
Riley’s still in charge of design, and now she has staff helping her make jewelry and ship
thousands of orders to people worldwide. That leaves Riley with plenty of time to swim
and read and to, well, just be a kid.

“When I grow up,

I want to continue
my business. But
if not, then I might
become a chemist.
Or a vet.”
– Riley

43
 ABOUT
SHOPIFY
Shopify is built for the next generation
of dreamers. This company was created
by a young entrepreneur named Tobi who
wanted to sell snowboards online. He
couldn’t find the right tools to create an
online store, so he ended up writing
software to build his own. Tobi realized
that his software could help a lot of
other people sell online, too, so he made
it available to other people, and he
called it Shopify. That technology now
powers more than 1.7 million businesses
worldwide, helping them sell their
products online and in stores.

Shopify’s goal is to make entrepreneurship

available to more people so they all have
the chance to be their own boss.

44
make cool!
cool!
something
new

yes
you
can

yay!
yay!