ARTrepreneurs: Teens Bring Their Small Business Dreams to Life!

What is ARTrepreneurs?

ARTrepreneurs is a program hosted by San José Public Library, through the Dr. King Library’s TeenHQ and Youth Services. It is designed to help bring teens dreams of being a small business owner to life. The program offers basic business lessons, seed funding, and an end of program Craft Fair so teens can earn money directly.

In the Beginning

ARTrepreneurs has changed several times since it began as a Teens Succeed grant from the California State Library in 2022. It began as a program to help teens learn financial literacy skills and start working towards financial independence. The grant goals then came together with an existing partnership with WeThrive. After three sessions in 2019, 2023 and 2024 with WeThrive, the Library started hosting its own edition of the program. In 2025, ARTrepreneurs has been offered twice a year, once in early Spring and during the Summer.

Who Can Participate in the Program

The ARTrepreneur program is designed for those currently in or who are going into high school. The Spring sessions accept current 8th graders, while the Summer sessions accept rising 9th to 12th graders. Teens must be able to attend 6 in-person learning sessions and the Craft Fair at the end of the program.

What Does the Schedule Look Like?

Learning Sessions

The learning sessions are broken into 6 days, and each day focuses on different topics relating to business ownership.

Session 1: Defining Entrepreneurship, Social Impact
Session 2: SWOT Analysis, Products vs. Services, Identifying Opportunities, Solving Real Problems, Purchase Ordering
Session 3: Supplies, Suppliers, Costs, Channels of Distribution, Target Audience, Differentiation
Session 4: Product Price Analysis, Receiving Payment, Portfolio
Session 5: Marketing & Outreach, Branding, Social Media, Logos
Session 6: Portfolio Presenting, Fair Registration, Preparing to Sell

Seed Funding

All businesses created through ARTrepreneurs receive $75 in seed funding. Teens do not receive this money directly. Instead, teens create purchase order forms for items amounting up to $75 that will be ordered on their behalf. Teens keep these supplies after the completion of the program to continue their business if they choose.

Product Creation & MakerSpace

After the last Learning Session, teens will have approximately one month to work on their products or services that they’re hoping to sell.

All participants will have access to the TeenHQ MakerSpace to help create their products and services. The MakerSpace includes: 3D printers, button makers, a laser engraver and cutter, poster printer, sewing machines, and other supplies.

Craft Fair

The Craft Fair is the final step where teens show off all their hard work and have a chance to sell their products and services to the general public. Craft Fairs are hosted in TeenHQ, on the Mezzanine. They are normally held during other large events, such as TeenHQ Theater Plays and Summer Learning Kick-Off events. This helps give the ARTrepreneur teens a fair shot at making sales.

ARTrepreneur Goals (as of April 2026)

The goal of the ARTrepreneur program is for teens to learn about running a small business in a safe space where it is okay to fail without consequence. Teens receive funding as if it were a loan that they do not have to pay back. Ultimately, we want them to “break-even;” make enough money at the Craft Fair that they could repay a loan if they had to.

As of April 2026, 56% of business are able to “break-even” after their first Craft Fair.
After teen’s first Craft Fair, teens have made anywhere from $8 to $294.

ARTrepreneur Success

The Numbers (After 5 Sessions/April 2026)

46 teens have created 31 solo businesses and 5 group businesses.
The library and other sources have invested ~$2,300 as seed funding for supplies as part of ARTrepreneurs. Teen participants have made nearly $4,500 in take-home cash from that investment.
Teens who make at least $30 at their first Craft Fair are 39% more likely to return to sell at a second Craft Fair.
Teens who sold at a second Craft Fair were 60% more likely to make more money at that Fair than at their first.

Feedback Numbers

When asked if teens who completed the program would consider continuing their business after the ARTrepreneur program, 74% said Yes, 26% said Maybe, and only 4% said No.
96% of teens who completed the program said they would recommend the program to other teens interested in starting a small business.
96% also said they were more interested in becoming a small business in the future whereas only 4% were unsure.

Quotes from Participants

“One thing I liked about the program is the amount of support and infrastructure it provides for small businesses. It has connected me with other small business owners, provided me seed funding, and helped me kick off and become fully independent. From this program, I have established a successful pen sale business, with nearly 100 eco-friendly pens sold so far!” - Jazl Jalin

ARTrepreneurs has been such a fun opportunity to connect with students from other high schools! Interacting with customers at markets has enhanced my public speaking and social skills as well. I’m so lucky to have this chance to participate, and as someone who had no experience selling, I’d recommend this program everyone!! - Ashley Abuda

"ARTrepreneurs is an amazing experience where you learn the entirety of starting a business. The kind librarian always helps us with invaluable advice and anything we could need. This program really helped me start my business, channel, and inspired my passion project!" - Ayra Adnan

Quotes from Parents

The outcome of this program has surpassed our expectations. I didn’t imagine my daughter’s willingness to learn to craft has challenged not just her creativity but gained practical lessons how to market, price and eventually manage her finances. Ms. Lundin’s dedication and efforts to find opportunities for these teens to test out their craft in a marketplace and find customers have been critical to their success. - Doddie Abuda

Featured Past Craft Fair Seller Photos

Interested in Joining the Program?

Here are somethings any teen should know before registering for the ARTrepreneur program:

Teens cannot resell items they did not previously own and/or did not modify.
Teens can only purchase supplies from specific places, such as: Amazon, Michaels, and Target. Some exceptions have been made but are at the discretion of the Librarian.
Teens cannot sell food or beverages, regardless of source.
This program is centered around crafts, arts, and hand-made items. Other types of small businesses are not the primary focus, but the Librarian can work with teens to fit their goals into the framework of the program.
Not all businesses have to earn money. We have had a non-profit started as a small business in the past.

Ready to Register?

Check the sjpl.org/events listings in late December for 8th to 12th grades and in mid-April for rising high schoolers to pre-register for the next program. Programs are usually run from January-March and June-August depending on the Librarian’s schedule.

Want to Learn More?

Feel free to reach out to Jessica Lundin by email at jessica.lundin@sjlibrary.org, for more information.