There are no limits!!! Once you are encouraged to try, you can accomplish anything. This book is designed to help girls, build confidence, take responsible risks, and learn new skills. Starting and running their own business has taught the young entrepreneurs in this book to believe in themselves, act independently, make decisions, and set and reach goals--all while earning the respect of their customers, parents, and peers. Now these girls have the confidence needed to continue exploring, growing, and achieving life skills that they will always profit from.

Stacey and Lindsay Elder Barbara Campbell Poppy King Excerpt from TIPS Ten Tips for Young Entrepreneurs Stacey and Lindsay Elder Thing-a-ma-dangles, Simsbury, Connecticut STACEY ELDER WENT FROM GIRL SCOUT TO ENTREPRENEUR when earrings she made for a scouting project grabbed the attention of everyone who saw them. Younger sister Lindsay joined in and Thing-a-ma-dangles was born. Stacey has been featured in Newsweek, spoke at the Junior Achievement Businessman's Hall of Fame, and recently passed the business on to Lindsay before heading off to college. While acknowledging that "you can't always be successful," Lindsay says, "you have to display an air of confidence in yourself and your product." --Top Of Page-- Barbara Campbell Addition and Subtraction Hair Firm, New York, New York AT 16, BARBARA DESIGNED AND MADE HANDBAGS. Later, she combined her knowledge of fashion, beauty science, marketing, and entrepreneurship to form her second company at the age of 23. Now, two years later, Addition and Subtraction Hair Firm has already met several of Barbara's goals, and she's thinking about expansion. Her advice: Knowledge is power. Having an education is crucial to the success of your business and to your success in life." --Top Of Page-- Poppy King Poppy Industries, Melbourne, Australia WHEN POPPY COULDN'T FIND THE KIND OF LIPSTICK SHE WANTED she thought there might be others like her looking for something that wasn't on the market. "I began to think, 'Imagine if I had ten dollars every time someone asked for a matte lipstick.'" She did her research, convinced an investor to take a chance, and, at 18, started her own company. Her lipsticks took off and in just two years she was able to buy out her partner and run the business herself. Poppy's advice: "The truth is that setting up [the company] was the easy part compared to what I'm doing now. The greatest challenge is to keep the momentum." --Top Of Page-- Ten Tips for Young Entrpreneurs 1. Treat all people honestly and fairly all of the time. 2. Set realistic goals for your business. No idea is too small. You don't want to take on too much too soon. 3. Take your time and pace yourself. Trying to expand too fast can backfire. 4. Don't expect riches. If you're thinking of starting a business for fast cash or for financial reasons only, STOP! It normally takes years of hard work before you start to see a real profit. 5. Use your time wisely. Remember to maintain a healthy balance of activities in your life. 6. Stay focused on your goals. Don't let temporary setbacks get you down. 7. Don't depend on family members and friends alone to be your customers. Find customers in your community, your state, or across the nation. 8. When interpreting detailed paperwork, don't be afraid to ask for help from an adult. 9. Be a professional. Dress neatly and be dependable, punctual, and courteous. 10. Reinvest some of your profits back into the business. Thinking long-range is a great way to ensure the continuous success of your business. Excerpted from GIRLS AND YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS: TRUE STORIES ABOUT STARTING AND RUNNING A BUSINESS PLUS HOW YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF by Frances A. Karnes and Suzanne M. Bean. © 1997, Free Spirit Publishing, Inc., Minneapolis, MN; 612/388-2068. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. --Top Of Page--