How Russian Teenagers Build Their Businesses

The number of student entrepreneurs in Russia is steadily increasing, growing by more than 11% annually, according to the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI).

What is it like to earn $316,000 at the age of 14? To create a renovation holding company at 17?

Or to receive your first patent at 13? Seven underage entrepreneurs shared their stories with us.

According to Russian law, teenagers can register as individual entrepreneurs from the age of 14, though until they reach adulthood, each transaction must be signed with the written consent of their parents. If a child starts a business before obtaining a passport, the legal entity is registered in the name of a parent or guardian.

An exception is made for 16-year-old students; they can become entrepreneurs without parental consent if a court declares them competent or if they are already married.

Without registering as an individual entrepreneur, from the age of six, it is allowed to make small household transactions (the exact amount is not specified, but they should not be systematic), profit from them, use copyrights, and open bank deposits.

"It is not interesting for me to live on someone else's money" —
Young entrepreneurs explained why they started their businesses.

Children entrepreneurs shared their motivations and experiences in starting their own businesses, emphasizing their desire for independence, creativity, and the pursuit of their passions.

Darya Kuznetsova, 11, founded an online store for mismatched socks.

The idea of mismatches socks came in the summer when I was at the camp.

We found a manufacturer, designed patterns, and launched sales in December 2020.

Darya Kuznetsova, 11 years old

Our first 100 boxes sold out in less than two weeks, earning over 200,000 rubles. We used this to cover production, website creation, accounting, and hired an employee for orders and support.

We are now developing a new collection, including socks for children based on submitted drawings. To date, we've sold 296 boxes, with a total profit of around 200,000 rubles.

We reinvest our monthly earnings of 30,000 rubles into further development.

Next, we plan to enhance production with new ideas, conduct a professional photoshoot of our socks, and try Instagram promotion.

Maxim Kraynov, 12, invented peppercorn packets for easy cooking.

Maxim Kraynov, 12 years old

My grandmother often made soup with peppercorns, which I found unpleasant. I looked for a solution to prevent peppercorns from ending up in the soup but found none.

So, I started making peppercorns in tea-like bags that could be easily removed after cooking.

Photo: personal archive
Currently, my customers are friends and acquaintances, and I sell pepper bags at events. At the "Startup Alley" of kinderMBA, I sold 20 bags in 30 minutes, earning around 3,000 rubles. I plan to open an Instagram shop and offer spice delivery.

I enjoy being an entrepreneur. It's challenging but fulfilling, and with dedication, it can become more than just a job.

Darya Beskrovnaya, 14, runs an online confectionery school and bakery.
Confectioner, founder of Dori School online confectionery school, finalist of the show "Confectioner"

I've loved baking since childhood, despite no family background in it. At 12, I took pastry courses which inspired me to start an Instagram page and take orders. My first order was a failure, but I persisted and gradually improved.

By September 2020, I began supplying desserts to the Jikon cafe, a significant milestone. Growing demand led me to move to a dedicated workshop with an assistant.

Darya Beskrovnaya, 14 years old

My income comes from dessert sales, online courses, and Instagram ads, earning over 150,000 rubles monthly. I've always valued having my own money and independence.

Baking has transformed my life, not just financially. Many adults struggle to find their passion, but I know baking brings me joy, and I want to do it for life. True fulfillment comes from doing what you love, not just earning more.

Veronika Loginova, at 17, is making waves in the fashion industry as both a fashion blogger and entrepreneur.

She is the founder of a successful clothing brand that caters to modern fashion trends and a comprehensive educational project that empowers young designers and fashion enthusiasts.

Her journey began with a passion for style and a desire to share her vision, leading her to build a platform that not only showcases her designs but also educates others in the fashion community.

Veronika's brand is celebrated for its innovative designs and her commitment to nurturing new talent.

Yuri Morozov, 16, Inventing Headphones for the Hearing Impaired at 16.

The idea to create headphones came during a 3D modeling class in 10th grade. Our lessons were online during the lockdown, and our teacher had two hearing-impaired children who couldn’t use regular headphones with their hearing aids. Inspired to solve this problem, I created special headphones compatible with hearing aids using a 3D printer.

At 16, I developed a nearly market-ready product, requiring medical certification, which I'm working on. My invention won a prize at the SberZ school accelerator (you can participate only if you are going to Russian School or University), which I joined to gain entrepreneurial skills.

With support from my parents and education at one of Moscow’s top schools, I transitioned to an engineering IT class, leading to various project presentations and competitions.

Generation Z is the "do-it-yourself" generation. They are characterized by independent thinking, flexibility, and self-reliance. It’s no surprise that they have sparked a boom in young entrepreneurship worldwide.

Read More about Young Entrepreneurs Around the World.