What I Learned About By Being a Business Owner at 16

When people think of age 16 in a typical teenage girl's life, they usually picture school dances, late-night fun, and hanging out with friends. Not usually running a business. For me, my flower business wasn’t just about selling pretty petals. It became a lesson in real-world responsibility, discipline, and self-growth. Being a teen entrepreneur has entirely shaped who I am, in the way I act and feel. It has taught me life lessons that transcend beyond business strategy or branding. At age 16, I’ve not only learned how to run my own business but also how to take care of myself, navigate difficult setbacks, and lead with resilience and care. 

The first major lesson I had to learn, sometimes the hard way, was how to manage my time without sacrificing my health. At the beginning, it wasn’t hard; I was constantly working. Between school, extracurriculars, and filling bouquet orders, I thought I could power through it all with enough coffee and determination. However, I soon found out that I was wrong. 

I quickly realized that if I wanted to do this the right way, without any burnout. I couldn’t keep treating myself like a machine. The fatigue hit me hard at one point, and I lost energy more quickly than usual. That was when I had to take a pause and reevaluate. Is this good for me? The short answer was no. The long answer was that I was beside myself with all that I had to do; stressed over the smallest things, all because I had so much on my plate. It wasn’t healthy, and it isn’t healthy for anyone to live like that. After that, I learned to build a system that helped both my business and my health. I began blocking out time that was especially for meals, breaks, and rest. I started treating my calendar as a routine, rather than a to-do list. Owning a business at a young age taught me that health is important. It has allowed me to thrive in school and my extracurriculars even more, for I now understand that hustle is nothing without health. 

Secondly, owning a business has taught me to be resourceful. If you’re in business long enough, or even just a few months, you’ll learn that not every opportunity goes exactly how you want it to. For instance, I’ve had clients order from me, and during the designated pick-up time, I never hear from them again. In my earlier days, I would feel nothing but upset and frustrated. But over time, I’ve learned something invaluable: there is always a way to fix something. 

Instead of seeing these situations as a massive profit loss, they can now be redirected. I’d take the unclaimed bouquet and repurpose it to resell at a discounted price or use it for my social media photo shoots. I want to embody the idea that nothing goes to waste with my business. The mindset of turning disappointment into an opportunity has allowed me to grow in every area of my life. It helps me not see setbacks as a way of innovation, rather than a loss.

In securing orders, I’ve had dozens of different customer interactions. It has taught me one of the hardest emotional lessons. I’ve learned to balance empathy with decision-making. I used to take things personally, for example, like when a possible client backed out, when someone questioned my pricing, or when I had to decline a request that didn’t align with my boundaries. But over time, I’ve grown to understand that running a business means separating feelings from function, without losing my empathy. I’ve interacted with clients who were going through difficult times ike grief or financial hardship. Even their last-minute crises have them worrying to pieces at times. Through this business, I’ve learned what it means to be a leader, not just in terms of logistics but how I show up in my community. Every time I make a bouquet, it carries intention. Whether for a birthday, a breakup, or a spontaneous act of kindness. Getting the opportunity to tell someone’s story is what is most powerful.

I’ve also become aware that small businesses can have an immense impact on the people around them. From sourcing flowers ethically to supporting local vendors and donating back to my community, Bouquets by Allyn has become a platform for giving back. It’s not about making money, but allowing the moments to matter. 

Being a business owner at 16 has shaped me into who I am and who I get the honor of growing into today. I am still learning, still evolving. However, every bouquet I make for someone is a reminder that growth doesn’t come from having everything planned out. Sometimes, the prettiest flowers bloom from challenges and grit. 

Anyone can start a business, but to stick to it requires dedication. And at 16, I am proud to have proved, I have started blooming.