6 Free Ways to Learn Business Skills as a High School Student

Learning how business works can give you the skills you need to succeed as an entrepreneur. Along the way, you’ll see a lot of people pushing pricey courses, coaching programs, and memberships, and it can be tempting to think you need them to get ahead. But the truth is, you can pick up most of the essential business skills for free. In this article, we’ll go over six ways you can start learning more about business without spending a dime.

1. Enroll in Free Online Business Courses

If you’ve got internet access, there are tons of free business courses and resources out there made for entrepreneurs. Here are a few options to check out:

• Harvard Business School Online: Offers free lessons on practical topics like negotiating, writing contracts, and leadership.
• Coursera: Covers a wide range of business topics, from building your first website to analyzing markets and understanding basic finance.
• YouTube: A goldmine for free advice. Just search for creators who’ve built businesses themselves. You’ll find tutorials and breakdowns on what it really takes to get started.

2. Start a No-Cost Business Venture

A surefire way to learn about business is to start one yourself. You don’t need to have every step figured out; just jump in and learn as you go. There are plenty of no-cost business ideas that can help you build real skills while making some money at the same time. For example:

• Tutor students in subjects you’re confident in
• Create content on social media platforms and grow through sponsorships
• Offer digital services like graphic design, video editing, or social media management

In fact, around 40% of teens are already earning money online through ventures like these. It’s a good way to get your name out there, grow an audience, and even land paying clients, all without spending anything on ads.

3. Participate in Networking Events and Online Webinars

Check online for local networking events or hop on LinkedIn to find free webinars that focus on business topics. These kinds of events are great for pitching your ideas, getting real feedback, learning new skills, and connecting with people who are also building something. Talking to other entrepreneurs can give you fresh ideas, spark your creativity, and keep you motivated to keep going.

4. Engage in Volunteer Work

Volunteer work can be a great way to build both soft and practical business skills. It helps you improve communication, problem-solving, and teamwork while also giving you hands-on experience like learning a software system, creating invoices, or organizing orders. Try looking for volunteer roles in the business space, whether that’s helping out at a local nonprofit, assisting a small business, or supporting events that need planning and coordination.

5. Join or Establish a School Business Club

Joining a business club encourages you to work on group projects and optimize your problem-solving and communication skills. If your school doesn’t have one, consider starting your own. Here’s how:

• Create a rough outline of what the club will focus on, like entrepreneurship, marketing, or running small projects
• Pitch the idea to a teacher or school admin and see if they’re willing to support it
• Find a few interested students, then host a first meeting to set goals and plan what you want to do together

6. Compete in Business Competitions

Competitions give you a real-world setting where you’re motivated to share your product or service and push yourself to improve. They’re also a great way to get useful feedback and work on building out a structured business plan. One example is the Conrad Challenge, an annual competition for students ages 13 to 18, where teams come up with new innovations in areas like aerospace, technology, and health.

Start Where You Are

No money? No problem. Start building your business skills by running a quick online search and exploring what’s available—local opportunities, free digital resources, and virtual networking events. Get involved in whatever you can, even if you don’t feel fully ready yet. Taking that first step now can open doors for future entrepreneurial success.

Dreaming big about your future? If you’re a teen entrepreneur in Florida, the Kantner Foundation scholarship could be your next step. Apply now!