Whether you’re a parent who runs a business, or someone who simply wants to nurture a forward- thinking mindset in your kids, teaching a child to be business-minded goes far beyond running a company. It’s about helping them learn to plan, understand the value of money, and tapping into their creativity to see what they can do.
The entrepreneurial spirit can often begin during childhood, where imagination runs wild and every “why?” and “how?” opens the door to a new idea. In a world full of possibilities, helping your kids build confidence, creativity, and problem-solving skills can set them on a path to becoming tomorrow’s innovators.
Here are some top tips on how to raise a future entrepreneur:
1. Encourage curiousity
Curiosity is often the first spark to honing the entrepreneurial spirit. Remember: no question is ever a silly one. Invite your child to ask “why” and “how,” and take the time to answer their questions thoughtfully. Their curiosity, paired with your guidance, sparks a desire to explore and experiment. Even mistakes can become valuable learning moments, helping them develop a mindset of discovery and resilience.
Don’t be afraid as well of encouraging constructive ways to challenge the norm; after all, entrepreneurship involves taking risks and often, asking questions that disrupt the status quo. Ask your children: what do they think needs to change, and why? What potential alternatives could they consider instead?
2. Hone their problem-solving skills
Instead of giving your children immediate solutions, give them the space to figure things out on their own. Simple puzzles, small challenges, or everyday dilemmas can teach them to think critically, and find creative solutions. Problem-solving is a key skill for entrepreneurs, and letting them practice early on helps to build their confidence and independence.
3. Introduce basic concepts about money
Money is more than numbers; it’s a tool for planning, saving, and making thoughtful choices. Teach your kids the value of money through fun, hands-on activities. For example, have them save toward a goal in a jar, plan out how they’ll spend their money, or even organise a small project on their own, such as a mini bake sale. These experiences help them understand budgeting, earning, and responsibility in a practical, engaging way.
4. Involve them in making decisions
Confident decision-making is a must for every entrepreneur. Encourage your child’s ability to make decisions for themselves from an early age. Whether it’s picking their meal options or their clothing for the day, allowing them to make their own choices helps to instil greater autonomy and a sense of pride in their decision-making. Involving your child in decisions that you make, and discussing these decisions with them thereafter, also shows them that every action has a consequence and why it’s vital to take responsibility for the choices that we make.
5. Lead by example
Children learn a lot from their parents and they will invariably mimic us. Try sharing your process on how you plan for certain situations, the ways you consider issues that could be faced, and how you solve problems along the way. Seeing you in action reinforces the behaviours and mindsets you hope to instil, from creativity to perseverance.
Mistakes are often opportunities for growth, and your child also needs to know how you faced challenges, and why it’s so important to try again after failing. If they encounter setbacks themselves, offer constructive criticism by brainstorming solutions together, weighing the pros and cons, and helping them practice their skills for future attempts.
6. Celebrate their efforts
Finally: don’t forget to celebrate your child’s little wins during their learning process. By validating effort over end results, you help to build their confidence and resilience. Try journaling positive moments to review together during less successful days, or setting up a small reward system to celebrate their mini milestones along the way. In doing so, you are showing your child that their small, consistent steps can lead to longer-term success.
Goodday KidSTART: Malaysia’s first and largest kidpreneur platform
Looking for tangible ways to help turn your kids into mini CEOs? Launched in 2022, Goodday KidSTART is a nationwide initiative by Goodday Milk that celebrates young innovators and entrepreneurs. The programme gives children a stage to pitch real business ideas, fostering creativity, resilience, and financial literacy through mentorship and real-world learning.
2025 marked its third iteration and an exciting step forward for the programme in the form of a reality-style TV series, with a nationwide telecast on Astro, one of Malaysia’s biggest children’s and education channels. makchic had the chance to speak to some of the guiding minds in support of the programme, as well as the young winners of Goodday KidSTART 3.0:
Amy Gan, Vice President of Marketing at Etika Sdn. Bhd.
According to Amy, the inspiration for the programme actually emerged during the Movement Control Order (MCO) in 2020 and 2021. Many people earning decent incomes were living hand-to-mouth due to poor financial planning and this reality underscored a crucial realisation: that financial literacy is critically lacking in Malaysia and is not adequately taught in schools.
This solidified Amy’s belief that teaching children the fundamental concepts of money is vital.
It’s not just about becoming an entrepreneur, or doing business. It’s about understanding the concept and importance of money, managing your finances, and of course, during the journey, building your confidence level and getting you ready for the real world.”
When asked about her advice for young entrepreneurs, Amy had this to share:
Just like how we started, just take the first step; don’t wait. You just have to commit, and do it. Set the goals, and work towards it. The moment you start doing it, things will fall into place.
Datin Lisa Surihani
Beloved local actress, host and businesswoman, Datin Lisa Surihani, who served as a judge for Goodday KidSTART 3.0, shared her top tip for facing obstacles and challenges:
Don’t look at “fail” with the negative lens. Look at F.A.I.L. as an abbreviation with a positive lens – a “First Attempt In Learning“. The mistakes are the awesome part, where you get to learn [and] make better out of the situation.
The young winners of Goodday KidSTART 3.0
Pearl Liang, from SJK(C) Serdang Baru 1, Selangor, walked away with the RM20,000 grand prize with her innovative idea, “AI Unicon,” a customised, AI-powered solution designed to help students find the right school uniform size. The idea was inspired by her own experience of struggling to find off-the shelf uniforms that fit properly and her desire to help other children with similar challenges feel confident at school.
Second-place winner, Mohammad Nukman, from SK Sungai Ara, Pulau Pinang, won RM10,000 for his eco-focused idea, “Food Rescue Hub,” a concept that uses AI and drones to collect surplus food and turn it into organic fertiliser.
When asked about the biggest lesson they learned during their time in the programme, both young winners cited the importance of not giving up, and staying the course.
Practice makes perfect and you have to listen carefully,” shared Pearl, while Mohammad Nukman added, “You have to focus; to achieve something is not easy, so you have to stay focused and keep practicing.
If you’ve ever thought your child had an amazing idea that can turn into something big, make sure to keep an eye out for GoodDay KidSTART 4.0 in 2026!
By Nuril Junaidi and Kimberly Lee
