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February 6, Denver– Nearly 20 youth businesses plan to showcase their products at the Colorado State Capitol on Tuesday, February 11, preceding a committee vote on Senate Bill 19-103 which would legalize minors’ businesses.
If passed, Senate Bill 19-103 would prohibit any county, municipality, city and county government or any agency of a local government from requiring a license or permit for a youth business, one operated by a person 18 years old or younger, if it operates on an occasional basis and if it is located a sufficient distance from another commercial entity. The bill is sponsored by Senators Angela Williams and Jack Tate and by Representatives James Coleman, Terri Carver, and Kevin Van Winkle.
Hannah Reyes, age 12, sells products at YouthBiz Marketplace hosted by Young Americans Center for Financial Education. She looks forward to showcasing her business HER Design Store at the Colorado State Capitol building on February 11.
Among the businesses participating on Tuesday is HER Design Store, created by 12-year-old Hannah Reyes. Hannah started HER Design Store three years ago, motivated by how much her friends and family loved her products. She creates Rosette hair clips, silk pens, and pot holders, and she thinks that this bill could really help young entrepreneurs. “This bill will help encourage young kids, like me, to use their creative skills to start their own business,” says Hannah. “No one is too young to start learning about business. Today’s young entrepreneurs will be tomorrow’s business leaders.”
Advocating for the billis Young Americans Center for Financial Education which offers dedicated youth entrepreneurship programs, YouthBiz. Since 1992, Young Americans Center has been giving youth the tools to experiment with business creation opportunities. “We believe that entrepreneurship is a key to a successful future,” says Richard E. Martinez, Jr., President and CEO of Young Americans. “Running a business teaches so many useful skills—problem solving, creativity, responsibility, money management to name a few—and we should encourage, not limit participation in business endeavors by today’s youth.”
