Sneaker shoes and arrows pointing in different directions on asphalt ground, choice concept High school students with business dreams face unique challenges. Finding time to launch a business between biology homework, basketball practice, and family obligations seems impossible. But what if AI could help? AI usage among students is skyrocketing. Recent data from OpenAI's February 2025 research indicates that over a third of college students regularly use ChatGPT, with adoption varying significantly by region. Even more telling? Pew Research Center's January 2025 analysis shows that 26% of American teenagers now use ChatGPT for schoolwork—twice as many as in 2023. While artificial intelligence tools can’t replace the determination and creativity that entrepreneurship demands, they can significantly reduce the initial barriers that stop many teenagers from turning their ideas into reality. By acting as a personalized business coach, AI can help teens bypass weeks of uncertainty and jump straight to actionable planning. This article provides five specific ChatGPT prompts designed to help teens turn their business ideas into reality. School Rules vs. Business Tools Most schools have strict policies about using AI for assignments. Teachers want to ensure students develop critical thinking skills, not outsourcing their learning. But here's what many educators miss: using AI for business planning outside school hours is completely different from using it to write an English essay. One is cheating, and the other is smart resource utilization. MORE FOR YOU FBI Warns Chrome, Safari And Edge Users—Do Not Use These Websites ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3 Has Turned Out To Be Bad Tesla Stock Slides Another 6% As More Firms Warn Of Musk-Led Company’s ‘Sales Woes’ If schools restrict ChatGPT access, teens can: Try these prompts at home Be open with parents about how they're using AI Keep entrepreneurial AI projects separate from academic work The key is intentionality. Using AI as a business resource requires a different mindset than using it for homework. 1. The "Reality Check" Business Model Generator "I'm 16, have about $[X] to invest, and can spend [Y] hours weekly on a business. I'm interested in [your interests] and good at [your skills]. What are three realistic business models I could launch in 30 days? For each, explain startup costs, time requirements, and first steps." How to use it: A teen might input: "I'm 16, have about $75 to invest, and can spend 10 hours weekly on a business. I'm interested in fitness, social media, and helping people my age, and I'm good at creating workout routines and making short videos. What are three realistic business models I could launch in 30 days? For each, explain startup costs, time requirements, and first steps." This specificity forces ChatGPT to give realistic answers, not pie-in-the-sky ideas teens can’t execute. The prompt helps avoid wasting months on business concepts that require unavailable resources. According to a 2023 Junior Achievement survey, 66% of teens aged 13-17 say they’re likely to consider starting a business, but just don’t know where to start. 2. The "Problems I Understand" Prompt "At my high school, many students struggle with [the specific problem you've observed]. Help me brainstorm a product or service that could solve this. Include: 1) Three potential solutions, 2) How I could create a basic version with minimal resources, and 3) How to test if people would pay for it." How to use it: A teen might write: "At my high school, many students struggle with organizing their assignments and remembering due dates across different classes and platforms. Help me brainstorm a product or service that could solve this. Include: 1) Three potential solutions, 2) How I could create a basic version with minimal resources, and 3) How to test if people would pay for it." This works better than generic business ideas because teens start with problems they understand. A 2022 NFTE report shows that successful young entrepreneurs typically start with solving problems they've personally experienced or observed in their communities. Start with what bothers you. Then figure out if it bothers other people too. 3. The "I'm Still in School" Action Plan "I need a 60-day plan to launch a [your business idea] while managing school responsibilities. My schedule: [list your actual weekly commitments]. What specific steps should I take each week? What obstacles might I face? How will I know if I'm making progress?" How to use it: A teen could type, "I need a 60-day plan to launch a custom phone case business while managing school responsibilities. My schedule: Classes Monday through Friday 8 am-3 pm, soccer practice Tuesday/Thursday 3:30-5:30 pm, family dinner Sunday, and homework approximately 2 hours per weeknight. What specific steps should I take each week? What obstacles might I face? How will I know if I'm making progress?" This prompt acknowledges the elephant in the room: teen entrepreneurs are students first. A teen business needs to work around education, not compete with it. This prompt helps avoid the disastrous "all-in, then burn-out" cycle that derails most teenage entrepreneurs. Let's be real—homework comes first. But that doesn't mean business comes never. The American Psychological Association’s 2024 research found that teenagers who balance structured activities with academics often develop stronger time management skills than those who focus exclusively on schoolwork. 4. The "Local Partnership" Pitch Creator "I'm a high school student starting a [type of business]. What local businesses in a typical community might benefit from partnering with me? For each one, help me craft a 30-second pitch explaining why a partnership benefits them, not just me." How to use it: A teen might enter: "I'm a high school student starting a pet photography business. What local businesses in a typical community might benefit from partnering with me? For each one, help me craft a 30-second pitch explaining why a partnership benefits them, not just me." This prompt forces teens to think about giving value, not just getting customers. Strategic partnerships can dramatically amplify reach without spending money that isn't available. Partnerships are teen entrepreneurs' secret weapon. Small business owners often have a soft spot for young people with hustle. According to 2022 CNBC reporting, 60% of teen entrepreneurs consider social media crucial to their success—partnerships multiply this reach exponentially. 5. The "What Am I Good At?" Business Finder "I'm a teenager who's good at [list 3-5 actual skills you have] and interested in [your interests]. What are some business ideas that: 1) Use these existing skills, 2) Could start with less than $100, 3) Could be managed after school and weekends, and 4) Solve real problems for [type of customer]?" How to use it: A teen could input: "I'm a teenager who's good at playing guitar, teaching others, creating simple websites, and interested in music and helping younger kids. What are some business ideas that: 1) Use these existing skills, 2) Could start with less than $100, 3) Could be managed after school and weekends, and 4) Solve real problems for parents of elementary school children?" This prompt tackles the biggest obstacle for teen entrepreneurs—the disconnect between what they're good at now and businesses they could actually start. A 2022 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report found youth are 1.6 times more likely to want to start a business than adults, but they often lack clarity about viable opportunities. You already have marketable skills. You just might not recognize them yet. From AI Suggestions to Actual Businesses Here's the uncomfortable truth: most teen entrepreneurs who use ChatGPT never build actual businesses. They collect ideas, get excited, and then nothing happens. AI can suggest business ideas all day, but it can't make phone calls to potential customers, create the first products, or handle the rejection and persistence required to build something real. Successful teen business owners use AI as a thought partner, not a replacement for action. They get ideas from ChatGPT and immediately take small, concrete steps forward—often that same day. Parents supporting teen entrepreneurs should encourage their kids to use these prompts but then help them take one tangible action within 24 hours. Even something small, like calling one potential customer or creating a simple logo, can build the momentum that AI alone cannot. Today's teen entrepreneurs have advantages that previous generations couldn't imagine. Combining AI-powered brainstorming with good old-fashioned hustle creates opportunities that didn't exist before. The winners will be those who leverage both. Follow me on LinkedIn. Editorial StandardsForbes Accolades