What a 10-year-old taught me about business!

A few months ago I had an unexpected encounter that left a lasting impression on me.

While on a trip to Goa, I wandered into a small shop, expecting to pick up a few dreamcatchers and be on my way.

But what I didn’t expect was to meet a 9.5-year-old girl running the shop – completely on her own.

She knew every product, handled customers with ease, and even negotiated like a pro.

Her confidence and business instincts blew me away.

And it hit me – entrepreneurship isn’t about age, degrees, or titles.

Entrepreneurship Is a Mindset

That encounter stayed with me for days.

How often do we think that entrepreneurship requires years of experience, formal education, or the right connections?

Yet here was a young girl who had none of that – but she had something even more important: the right mindset.

She was confident, decisive, and unafraid to handle real-world challenges head-on.

And isn’t that what true entrepreneurship is all about?

Owning an accountancy practice – or any business – requires more than just technical skills or knowledge. It’s about resilience, problem-solving, and the ability to take risks.

What’s Stopping You?

If a 10-year-old can run a shop and negotiate with grown adults, what’s stopping the rest of us from stepping up our game?

What’s stopping you from expanding your practice,

taking on bigger clients,

or exploring new revenue streams?

Too often, we let self-doubt, fear of failure, or the need for perfection hold us back.

But entrepreneurship is messy.

It’s full of surprises, setbacks, and learning moments – just like that young girl running her shop, figuring things out as she goes.

Let’s Talk About Growth

For practice owners like you and me, growth often feels like a far-off dream, bogged down by daily operations, client demands, and endless paperwork.

But growth doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

Like that girl managing her inventory and customers, sometimes the simplest actions lead to the biggest changes.

It’s about finding clarity in the chaos and making decisions that help your practice flourish.

• Is there an area of your practice that you’ve been ignoring because it feels “too difficult”?
• Is there an opportunity you’ve avoided because it feels too risky?

What small steps can you take to move forward confidently – like that young entrepreneur?

Lessons from a young entrepreneur

Here’s what that 10-year-old taught me, and what we can all learn from her:

Take risks, even if they scare you

Growth comes from stepping into the unknown. You don’t need to have all the answers – you just need to trust yourself enough to try.

Confidence is everything

It’s not about having it all figured out. It’s about showing up confidently and knowing you can handle whatever comes your way.

Small decisions matter

Sometimes, it’s the little choices – like how you price your services or how you negotiate with clients – that make the biggest difference.

Don’t be afraid to ask what you want

That young girl didn’t shy away from negotiating a fair price for her products. As practice owners, don’t be afraid to ask for what you’re worth or to push for growth opportunities.

Your Business, Your Rules

If there’s one thing I took away from that shop in Goa, it’s this: Entrepreneurship is about making your own rules.

Whether you’re 10 years old or running an established practice, the fundamentals remain the same: confidence, and the ability to seize opportunities when they come.

It’s not about waiting for the “perfect” time or following someone else’s blueprint. It’s about forging your own path.

So, what’s the next step for you and your business?

How can you channel that entrepreneurial spirit and make decisions that move you forward?

I’ll leave you with this thought: If a 10-year-old can confidently run a business, negotiate, and win over her customers, imagine what’s possible for you.

What’s Next?

Let's talk a bit about accounting? But not in the usual way!

In the next episode, I'll share how a practice owner scaled their accountancy practice without expanding their in-house team.

It's going to be exciting.

Until then, keep driving your practice forward.

See you next time,

Ava