The tasks and challenges involved in starting a business apply to
everyone who does it, regardless of age. People who have proved
it is possible to start business empires at a tender age include Richard
Branson, who started publishing student magazines aged 16, and
airline entrepreneur Martin Halstead, who started Alpha One Airways
using the proceeds of the sale of the computer flight simulation
business he started at the age of 15. Trading on eBay has become
a very popular way for children and young people to try their hand at
enterprise.
However, there are certain financial and legal restrictions that apply
to people under 16 years old. This factsheet explains some of the
specific obstacles entrepreneurs aged under 16 may face, and
outlines some of the support organisations and schemes that may be
able to help.