Our “Beads to Business” Workshop for Young Entrepreneurs

Kaitlyn Letien leads a fun and inspiring Beads to Business workshop, teaching kids how to turn creativity into entrepreneurship one bracelet at a time.

This past weekend (1/5/25), Dreams to Business founder Kaitlyn Letien hosted a Beads to Business workshop — and let’s just say, it was full of creativity, color, and tons of inspiration.

The workshop brought together a group of kids ready to dive into the world of entrepreneurship, one bracelet at a time. From designing beaded jewelry to learning how to price their products, market their brand, and pitch their ideas, every moment was filled with hands-on learning and fun.

So, What is “Beads to Business”?

“Beads to Business” is one of the workshops created under Dreams to Business, designed to introduce kids (typically ages 5–15) to the basics of starting and running their own business. It blends creativity with business literacy, turning something as simple as making bracelets into a full learning experience on entrepreneurship.

At the event, each student received a mini business kit with:

• A bracelet-making set (beads, string, clasps, etc.)

• A copy of the Beads to Business workbook

• A “starter budget” to plan their materials and pricing

• A blank business card template

• Space to brainstorm brand names, logos, and selling strategies

  
  

The Best Part? Seeing the Kids Shine

Throughout the workshop, Kaitlyn led mini-lessons on topics like how to figure out your profit, how to describe what makes your product special, and how to talk to customers with confidence. But the real magic happened when the kids took the lead.

They created unique bracelet designs, came up with creative business names like and practiced their elevator pitches to the group.

One of the most powerful moments? A student who was nervous to speak in front of others stood up and proudly shared, “My business is called Glow Beads, and I make custom friendship bracelets for $5. I use colors that match your personality.”

Why Kaitlyn Started This Workshop

Kaitlyn started making and selling bracelets herself during the pandemic through her business, Humanity Bracelets. But she always knew she wanted to do something more — something that made business education more accessible to kids who don’t always get these kinds of opportunities.

The Beads to Business workshop is a direct reflection of that mission — combining creativity, confidence-building, and real business skills in a way that feels exciting and approachable.

What's Next?

This workshop is just the beginning. Kaitlyn plans to host more Beads to Business events in the coming months, both in-person and online. The goal? To bring these workshops to underserved communities across the world.

Every purchase from our books and workbooks helps fund future workshops, supply kits, and outreach. So when you buy a copy of Beads to Business, you’re not just supporting a nonprofit — you’re directly investing in the next generation of young entrepreneurs.

Want to Get Involved?

If you’re a parent, educator, or organization that would like to host a Beads to Business workshop, we’d love to connect! Reach out to us or email Kaitlyn directly at kaitlyn@dreamstobusiness.org You can also follow along on Instagram @dreamstobusiness for photos, updates, and behind-the-scenes of upcoming workshops.

Thank you to everyone who made this event possible — especially the kids, whose energy, curiosity, and courage remind us exactly why this mission matters.