9 BEST BUSINESS MEMOIRS AND BIOGRAPHIES FOR KIDS AND TEENS
So many ‘lessons learned’ and actionable startup tips from these business books for kids and teens.
Authentic stories reveal many insights, and business memoirs and biographies are no exception. They narrate the life history of individuals who rock the business world and share what they went through to get where they are. The stories of startup founders can motivate aspiring kid or teen entrepreneurs to go from dreaming of the next big thing to planning and doing. So here are our recommended memoirs and bios that budding girl entrepreneurs can add to their to-read list.
Alice Waters Cooks Up a Food Revolution
Recommended for ages 4 to 8. Cultural entrepreneur and restaurant owner Alice Waters is profiled in this non-fiction picture biography, Alice Waters Cooks Up a Food Revolution. Alice, who kickstarted the slow food and farm-to-table movement, is a national public policy advocate for universal access to healthy, organic foods. Thanks to its eye-catching illustrations and straightforward texts, this biography is an easy read for kids under 9. Buy it on Amazon or Bookshop.
Born Hungry: Julia Child Becomes “the French Chef”
Recommended for ages 5 to 9. An excellent read for young readers who are aspiring chefpreneurs (we know one, girl boss and chef Simone Bridges), Born Hungry answers the question, “How did Julia Child become one of America’s most celebrated and beloved chefs?” Julia, considered a passionate entrepreneur, didn’t become a culinary expert until well into her adult life. However, this kid-friendly biography reveals how and why Julia made sure perseverance and grit were part of her recipe for success. Bonus: A recipe for Oeufs Brouillés (Scrambled Eggs) is included! Buy it on Amazon or Bookshop.
Rebel Girls Awesome Entrepreneurs: 25 Tales of Women Building Businesses (Rebel Girls Minis)
Recommended for ages 7 to 12. This biography compilation charts the respective starts and successes of influential CEOs, entrepreneurs, and founders who built women-led businesses. Part of the New York Times best-selling series Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, Rebel Girls Awesome Entrepreneurs also features biz tips for young girl entrepreneurs and showcases full-page portraits illustrated by female and non-binary artists from around the world. Buy it on Amazon or Bookshop.
Bee Fearless: Dream Like a Kid
Recommended for ages 10 to 13. This autobiography from Me & The Bees Lemonade founder and one of TIME Magazine’s Top 30 Most Influential Teens, Mikaila Ulmer, recounts how she was able to turn her lemonade stand and fear of bees into fascination, admiration, respect for bees and their honey and a national lemonade brand. Part memoir and part business guide for kid and teen entrepreneurs, Bee Fearless: Dream Like a Kid challenges young readers to face their fears so they can fearlessly pursue their startup dreams. Buy it on Amazon or Bookshop.
Girls Who Run the World: 31 CEOs Who Mean Business
Recommended for ages 10+. There’s no shortage of collections in our suggested list of books for kids and teens. This one, Girls Who Run the World, celebrates the lives and business smarts of the diverse women who launched world-renowned companies, brands, and organizations. It’s also one of the top motivational books for kids and teens that we’ve suggested in the past. Buy it on Amazon or Bookshop.
Marley Dias Gets It Done: And So Can You!
Recommended for ages 10+. With an introduction by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay, Marley Dias Gets It Done tells the story of 17-year-old social entrepreneur, author, and activist Marley Dias. The girl behind the #1000blackgirlbooks campaign, Marley shares her personal experiences with activism, social justice, and volunteerism through her book. She also teaches kids and teens how to use social media for good and turn any passion into purpose. Buy it on Amazon or Bookshop.
Recommended for ages 11 to 14. The summary of this business memoir says it all: A young person’s guide to starting your own business written by a successful kidpreneur! And this successful kidpreneur is Moziah Bridges, founder & CEO of Mo’s Bows, who launched his bow-tie business when he was 9 years old after an appearance on Shark Tank. His book chronicles his entrepreneurial journey, including all the highs, lows, and business lessons along the way. Buy it on Amazon or Bookshop.
Girls Who Green the World: Thirty-Four Rebel Women Out to Save Our Planet
Recommended for ages 12 to 17. Another biographical collection of women entrepreneurs (plus environmental change-makers and activists), Girls Who Green the World has an important message for girls who dream of being leaders, founders, and inventors: “While you’re striving to be CEOs and world leaders, consider solving the biggest challenge of our lifetime, too—because you can do both at the same time, and here are 34 women doing just that.” We agree, and we, too, celebrate and applaud the women who green the world and those who will someday! Buy it on Amazon or Bookshop.
You Are More Than Magic: The Black and Brown Girls’ Guide to Finding Your Voice
Recommended for ages 12 to 17. Minda Harts, CEO and founder of The Memo LLC, a career development company for women of color, details her stories of success–from running for high school student council to starting her own company–and the mistakes that helped her grow as a businesswoman. Practical advice, thought exercises, and real-life anecdotes fill the pages of this autobiography. Buy it on Amazon or Bookshop.
And a bonus 10th book !
Idea Makers: 15 Fearless Female Entrepreneurs
Recommended for ages 12+. A biographical collection of the incredible stories of 15 women entrepreneurs from five industries: food, fashion and clothing, health and beauty, science and technology, and education. These amazing women took a risk on entrepreneurship and built companies worth billions of dollars and employing tens of thousands of individuals. Read how they did and get inspired to start your own company. Buy it on Amazon or Bookshop.
Our book recommendations don’t end here. We have several more if you and your girl are looking for the best ones on any topic. For leadership books, check out our list here. For money matters, these books teach kids and teens about economics and personal finance. For inspiring books with powerful and positive messages, we’ve got you covered with these suggestions. And, of course, we also know which books on entrepreneurship every young, aspiring girl boss should read.
Happy Reading!
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