URGENT UPDATE: A remarkable teen entrepreneur, 17-year-old Nathan Yin, has transformed his passion for barbering into a thriving business, generating nearly $3,000 in just one year from his parents’ garage. With minimal startup costs, this innovative student from Haileybury College has tapped into the lucrative side hustle trend, providing haircuts to around 40 friends and classmates.
Yin launched his business, Yinny Fadezz, after investing only $100 in clippers instead of paying a barber $50 for a simple cut. His cuts quickly gained popularity, leading to an influx of requests for styles like the burst fade. “They liked it and then asked for another cut,” Yin explains, highlighting the organic growth of his venture.
This trend isn’t isolated. At Mansfield Secondary College, students are also stepping into entrepreneurship with funding from the state government. In April, the school received $6,250 to help students launch small businesses, including a successful car wash and the clothing label Summit Society, which recently sold beanies.
Teachers like Jade O’Connor, head of the VCE Vocational Major program, report impressive results. “That’s been the business which we put the least amount into, and yet it’s turned the biggest profit,” O’Connor states, reflecting the hands-on learning approach that is shaping future leaders.
The entrepreneurship programs at both schools emphasize the importance of resilience and problem-solving, essential skills for today’s youth. Anna Sever, a deputy principal at Haileybury, notes, “When you’re teaching students to get everything right, you have to have a way of teaching them that getting things wrong is fine.” This approach fosters essential skills that students will carry into their futures.
Yin credits his barbering experience with teaching him valuable lessons in time management and commitment. “It’s about being committed and not slacking off,” he shares, illustrating the dedication that drives his success.
As these young entrepreneurs continue to thrive, their efforts are not just about profit; they are also about community impact. Julie Anderson, head of senior school at Mansfield, believes these experiences will create lasting connections, saying, “These are the kids who are going to coach footy, they’re going to donate prizes for things, they’re going to join Rotary.”
This surge in student-led businesses exemplifies the changing landscape of education, where practical experience is just as valuable as academic success. With increasing interest in entrepreneurship among high school students, the future looks promising for these young innovators, and their journeys are just beginning.
Stay tuned for more developments as these students pave the way for a new generation of entrepreneurs, proving that with creativity and determination, anything is possible.
