A new study from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management offers encouraging news for parents, educators, and communities looking to help girls reach their full potential: early exposure to entrepreneurship can have a lasting impact. Researchers found that girls who interacted with entrepreneurs during their teenage years were more likely to pursue higher education, start businesses of their own, and build companies that created jobs and opportunities for others. Interestingly, the same effect was not observed among boys. The findings suggest something many of us have seen firsthand: when girls can see what’s possible, they’re more likely to imagine themselves doing it too.

The Power of Seeing New Possibilities

The study followed nearly one million people in Denmark from adolescence through adulthood. Researchers discovered that girls who were exposed to entrepreneurs between the ages of 13 and 16 were more likely to view entrepreneurship as a realistic career path. That exposure didn’t need to come from a parent. Simply knowing classmates whose parents were entrepreneurs appeared to make a difference. Researchers believe this exposure helped girls gain awareness of opportunities they may not have otherwise considered. It also gave them access to ideas, industry knowledge, and examples of different ways to build a career. As lead researcher Maddalena Ronchi noted, entrepreneurship plays an important role in job creation and economic growth. Helping more talented young women see themselves in these roles benefits not only individuals but society as a whole.

Confidence Comes Before Entrepreneurship

One of the most compelling aspects of the research is that the impact wasn’t limited to business ownership. Girls with early exposure to entrepreneurship were more likely to continue their education, pursue specialized training, and avoid lower-paying jobs later in life. The experience appeared to influence how they viewed challenges, opportunities, and their own potential. In many ways, entrepreneurship is about much more than starting a company. It’s about learning how to identify problems, think creatively, take thoughtful risks, collaborate with others, and communicate ideas with confidence. Those are skills that help young people succeed in any field.

Creating Opportunities Closer to Home

While the Northwestern research focused on long-term outcomes, it raises an important question for parents and educators today: How can we create more opportunities for girls to explore entrepreneurial thinking while they’re still young?

One answer is giving them space to experiment, collaborate, and bring their ideas to life. At Gorton Center, that’s exactly what happens during BIG Ideas Camp. Designed for girls ages 11–14, BIG Ideas Camp is a hands-on summer experience that combines design thinking, startup skills, leadership development, and confidence-building in a supportive environment. Throughout the week, campers learn how to identify real-world problems, brainstorm creative solutions, work as a team, and present their ideas with confidence. More importantly, they learn that their ideas matter.

Campers explore entrepreneurial thinking through activities that encourage curiosity, resilience, and creative problem-solving. They practice public speaking, strengthen leadership skills, and discover that mistakes are often the first step toward growth. The goal isn’t simply to teach business concepts. It’s to help girls see themselves as capable problem-solvers, innovators, and leaders.

Planting Seeds for the Future

The Northwestern study reinforces what many educators and youth development professionals have long believed: exposure matters. When girls are given opportunities to see new possibilities, develop confidence, and explore their interests, the effects can last far beyond childhood. Whether they become entrepreneurs, scientists, teachers, artists, or community leaders, the skills they build through creative thinking, collaboration, and leadership will serve them throughout their lives. That’s why experiences that encourage girls to dream big, take risks, and trust their ideas are so important. And that’s what BIG Ideas Camp is all about.

BIG Ideas Camp

Monday, August 10 – Thursday, August 13, 2026 | 9 am–3 pm
Friday, August 14, 2026 | 9 am–1 pm

For girls ages 11–14

Learn more and register here.

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Source: “For Girls, Early Exposure to Entrepreneurship Can Be a Game Changer,” Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, 2025.