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From Summer Hustle to Big Wins: How Teens Can Grow Their Ventures

Last week, we met Richard—a 15-year-old from the Bronx who isn’t just dreaming big, he’s tuning his ambition to the beat of the future. Armed with musical chops and entrepreneurial grit, Richard turned his summer into a test lab for side hustles: think digital music lessons, TikTok-worthy track production, and community collabs that hit the high notes. But once that first gig is in the rearview mirror, what’s next?

How does a teen with talent and a Venmo account go from “just vibing” to building something that lasts?

This follow-up offers a practical, no-fluff game plan to help teens like Richard scale their ventures, sidestep common landmines, and build skills that not only impress college admissions but also confuse the robots trying to automate them out of the job market. Because in the age of AI, early entrepreneurship isn't just a résumé booster—it's a resilience builder, a creative playground, and yes, even a crash course in capitalism.

So, what if that scrappy summer gig is more than a fleeting moment? What if it’s the first domino in a long chain of future wins?

#1 Parents Are Key to Youth Mental Health Recovery Post-Pandemic, Study Finds

This Medical Xpress article discusses a 2025 study showing parents’ critical role in supporting teens’ mental health post-pandemic. It highlights how parental involvement, like open communication and shared activities, reduces anxiety and depression in youth. The study suggests practical steps, such as weekly family check-ins and co-creating coping strategies, to foster resilience. It’s particularly relevant if you are navigating ongoing mental health challenges with your teen and you need to support your teens’ emotional well-being.

 Parents Are Key to Youth Mental Health Recovery Post-Pandemic, Study Finds. Medical Xpress, 29 Apr. 2025.

#2 The Latest Kids’ Tech Parents Should Know About in 2025

TechRadar’s article explores new tech trends for kids in 2025, including AI-powered learning apps and smart toys, and their implications for parenting. It offers parents guidance on selecting age-appropriate tech that fosters creativity and learning while setting boundaries to prevent overuse. Tips include co-using apps with your kids to monitor engagement. It’s a practical guide for navigating 2025’s digital landscape.

Brown, Sarah. “The Latest Kids’ Tech Parents Should Know About in 2025.” TechRadar, 15 May 2025

#3 The Dumbest Phone is Parenting Genuis

A recent article in The Atlantic highlights how some parents are opting for landline phones over smartphones for their children to reduce screen time and foster better communication skills. Caron Morse, a mental health provider in Portland, Maine, chose a landline for her 9-year-old daughter, encouraging other parents in her community to do the same. This initiative led to the formation of a "landline pod" among 15 to 20 families, promoting real-world interactions and independence among children. Psychologists support this approach, noting that delaying smartphone use can help children develop stronger interpersonal skills and healthier tech habits. This strategy offers a practical solution for parents aiming to balance technological exposure with their children's emotional and social development.

Morse, Caron. “The Dumbest Phone Is Parenting Genius.” The Atlantic, 17 June 2025.

Stories on War: The Untold, The Unseen, The Unforgettable

War is brewing in corners of the world once again. This week, I found myself wondering: how much do our kids really know about the last great war?

If you're still putting together a list of intentional summer reads for your kids, here’s a great selection—curated for all ages. Pick one (or a few), and don’t forget to grab a second copy for yourself. Read alongside your child, and keep the conversation going—whether you’re in the car, at the store, or winding down at the end of the day.

Picture books:

Twist, Tumble, Triumph: The Story of Champion Gymnast Agnes Keleti by Deborah Bodin Cohen and Kerry Olitsky, illustrated by Martina Peluso, grade 1-3

Violin of Hope by Ella Schwartz, illustrated by Juliana Oakley, grade 2-4

Middle grades:

Scattergood by H.M. Bouwman, grade 4-7

Fighter in the Woods: The True Story of a Jewish Girl Who Joined the Partisans in World War II by Joshua Greene, grade 3-7

When We Flew Away: A Novel of Anne Frank Before the Diary by Alice Hoffman,
grade 3-7

Lifeboat 5 by Susan Hood, grade 4-8

At Last She Stood: How Joey Guerrero Spied, Survived, and Fought for Freedom by Erin Entrada Kelly, grade 4-8

Safiyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Khan, grade 5 and up

The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story by Daniel Nayeri, grade 3-7

The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin, grade 6-10

Wolves at the Door by Steve Watkins, grade 5 and up

Tweens and Teens

The Ballerina of Auschwitz: Young Adult Edition of the Choice by Edith Eva Eger, grade 8 and up

The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II by Candace Fleming, grade 8 and up

Wrath Becomes Her by Aden Polydoros, grade 9 and up

Graphic novels:

Pearl by Sherri Smith, illustrated by Christine Norrie, grade 7 and up

Song of a Blackbird by Maria Van Lieshout, grade 10 and up

“Life During Wartime: A Curated List of Untold World War II Stories” in School Library Journal, June 2025 (Vol. 71, #6, pp. 42-45)

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