Don’t you wish you were your own boss? Have you been dying to learn a new language? These kids didn’t wait until they were “old enough” to make those dreams come true. From a 9-year-old who speaks eight languages to a 12-year-old bow-tie-wearing entrepreneur, here are 15 superkids—none of them older than 17—with big talents and bright futures.
Asia Newson
Asia Newson, known as Detroit’s youngest entrepreneur, is the co-founder and CEO of Super Business Girl. At just 11 years old, she sells homemade candles to help the needy in her community. In the future, Asia hopes to open a shop in downtown Detroit and several shops across the city. “Since I was about 4 or 5 years old, I’ve always had, like, the vibe or, like, I don’t know, little power ball that keeps me going,” Asia told 20/20.
Harold Ekeh
Forget safety schools. Harold Ekeh has been accepted at all eight Ivy League colleges. The Long Island, N.Y., student said that he was “absolutely shocked” as he opened acceptance letter after acceptance letter from the top-tier schools. Harold, whose family immigrated to the United States from Nigeria eight years ago, wants to be a neurosurgeon and is leaning toward Yale. “I am very humbled by this,” the 17-year-old said to CBS New York. “I see this as not an accomplishment for me but as an accomplishment for my school, my community. Because I really see this as my mission to inspire the next generation.”
Mabou Loiseau
Thinking of learning a new language? Perhaps you should look to Mabou Loiseau, a 9-year-old genius in Queens, N.Y., who already speaks eight languages. She has several tutors who come to her home, which is also used as an art studio, ballet studio and classroom. She plays the piano, sings and hopes to one day become a brain surgeon, lawyer and singer. “Keep learning. Be happy,” Mabou said. “The sky is not the limit.”
Esther Okade
Esther Okade loves Barbie dolls and Elsa from Frozen, just like any other 10-year-old. But Esther, who is British Nigerian, is not your average preteen. She is a math genius and is already enrolled in Open University, a distance-learning program in the United Kingdom. “It’s so interesting. It has the type of maths I love. It’s real maths—theories, complex numbers, all that type of stuff,” she told CNN. “It was super easy. My mum taught me in a nice way.” Esther hopes to get her Ph.D. in financial math by the time she’s 13, and she also wants to have her own bank by 15.
Moziah Bridges
Moziah Bridges may only be 12 years old, but he already runs a six-figure business. Moziah started Mo’s Bows in Memphis, Tenn., after growing tired of the poor selection of kids’ bow ties he found in stores. His grandmother taught him how to sew, and he created several bow ties. His friends and family members fell in love with them. “I like to wear bow ties because they make me look good and feel good,” Moziah wrote on his website. “Designing a colorful bow tie is just part of my vision to make the world a fun and happier place.” In the past three years, Moziah has appeared on Shark Tank and in Vogue and O: The Oprah Magazine.
Mikaila Ulmer
Bee stings are annoying and painful, but after two stings in one week, Mikaila Ulmer, 10, may be able to credit the insects with her successful business. Mikaila started BeeSweet Lemonade after learning about bees and how they are important to the environment. Shortly after her grandmother gave her a cookbook, she learned how to make flaxseed lemonade, and the rest is history. She uses local honey to sweeten her lemonade, and a portion of the company’s profits go to organizations working to save bees. She appeared on Shark Tank, and FUBU founder Daymond John agreed to invest $60,000 in her business. “I’m so excited to have someone with as much experience as Daymond on my team,” Mikaila said. “This is a great opportunity to have more people try my lemonade and help save even more bees!”
Vidal Chastanet
Vidal Chastanet’s story all started with a simple question: “Who’s influenced you the most in your life?” His answer? His principal, Nadia Lopez, at Mott Hall Bridges Academy in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, N.Y. “When we get in trouble, she doesn’t suspend us,” the 13-year-old said. “She calls us to her office and explains to us how society was built down around us. And she tells us that each time somebody fails out of school, a new jail cell gets built. And one time she made every student stand up, one at a time, and she told each one of us that we matter.” This answer was featured on the website Humans of New York, and soon after, it received more than 1 million likes on Facebook. It garnered the attention of President Barack Obama, which led to Vidal, Lopez and HONY documentarian Brandon Stanton being invited to the White House.
Cory Nieves
Want a cookie? Try these from 10-year-old Cory Nieves, better known as Mr. Cory. He goes door-to-door in Englewood, N.J., pulling his wagon to neighborhood barbershops and car dealerships. Cory started the business five years ago after his family moved from the New York City borough of the Bronx to New Jersey. Although Cory is the founder and head of distribution of the company, his mother, Lisa, bakes the goods. Cory hopes to be a fashion mogul one day.
Chris Suggs
Chris Suggs, 14, wants to make Kinston, N.C., a better place, one young person at a time. He is the founder and president of Kinston Teens, which aims to beautify the community, connect young people with city leaders and raise awareness about issues that affect youth. At Kinston High School, he is the freshman class president, and at his church, he is the youth department leader. And if his Facebook page’s URL is correct, he could be the future president of the United States.
Zuriel Oduwole
Zuriel Oduwole is the youngest working filmmaker in Hollywood. Zuriel, 12, is also the youngest person to be featured in Forbes Africa. She has interviewed more than 14 presidents and prime ministers, including the heads of Liberia and Jamaica. Zuriel has also talked to tennis greats Venus and Serena Williams. Her feature documentary, A Promising Africa, opened in London in January.
Adam Kirby
When Adam Kirby was just 2 years and 5 months old, in 2013, he became the youngest boy to become a member of Mensa, the IQ society. By the time he was 9 months old, Adam, who lives in South London, already knew how to read. Shortly afterward, he potty-trained himself after reading a book on the subject. “He is really, really hungry for it. It’s not us pushing him at all; he loves challenging himself. He gets bored very quickly when he’s not reading or writing or completing a complex puzzle,” said Dean Kirby, Adam’s father.
DJ Fulano
You’d think that DJ Fulano was at least a few decades older, once you heard the list of artists he listens to: Michael Jackson, James Brown, Fela Kuti and Stevie Wonder are just a few of his faves. His mentor, DJ Cassidy, told Ebony magazine that Fulano’s “uncanny ability to read people supersedes his age.” At just 11 years old, he’s rubbed elbows with former President Bill Clinton, Diane von Furstenberg, June Ambrose and several other notables. “I decide what music I play depending on the audience. I play pop for kids and hip-hop, soul and funk for adults,” said DJ Fulano.
Gabrielle Jordan
Gabrielle Jordan knew from a very early age that she didn’t want to work for anyone else. She started her own business, Jewelz of Jordan, when she was just 9 years old. Gabrielle, now 15, is also the founder of ExCEL Youth Mentoring Institute, which hopes to inspire more young people to be entrepreneurs. She has become the youngest member of the Black Speakers Bureau and has already given a TEDx Talk on entrepreneurship. Her book, The Making of a Young Entrepreneur: A Kid’s Guide to Developing the Mind-Set for Success, written under the name Gabrielle J. Williams, was a best-seller on Amazon.com. This year she was honored as a M.A.D. Girl at BET’s Black Girls Rock 2015. “When I reflect back on my life, I want it to be filled with big dreams, big actions and big accomplishments, and that’s what I want for others,” she said to BET.
Maya Penn
Fifteen-year-old Maya Penn has been a CEO since she was 8 years old. She started Maya’s Ideas to sell eco-friendly clothing and accessories that she designs and creates herself. Maya is a young woman of many talents. She is learning coding languages JavaScript and HTML5 and has already built her first website. She launched her nonprofit organization, Maya’s Ideas 4 the Planet, to help spread awareness about environmental issues. Portions of her sales go to local and global charities. “It’s always been instilled in me, even at an early age, to give back and do good anywhere that you can,” Maya said. “It’s always been important to me to give back to the people as well as the planet.”
Warren Cassell Jr.
Warren Cassell Jr., 15, could probably teach us all a few things about money. He’s invested in hedge funds, private equity and real estate opportunities. He’s written two books, The Farm of Wisdom: 25 Unforgettable Tales That Will Ignite a Wiser You! and Swim or Drown: Business and Life Lessons I’ve Learned From the Ocean. The teen, who hails from the island of Montserrat, wants to start an investment company that caters to everyday people. “My ultimate goal in life is to become a person of value, and I intend to become one by maximizing my potential,” Warren said. “I hope to be an inspiration to others and be the living proof that anyone can accomplish anything.”