6 Steps to Nail Your First Business Pitch as a Kidpreneur
Just this week, I was chatting with a young girl who told me she dreams of starting her own baking business. When I asked what her parents thought, she said, “They told me I’m too young.”
I encouraged her not to give up. “Why not start by learning more and baking regularly?” She smiled and said she already bakes with her mum every Saturday—that’s where her love for it began.
So I gave her an idea: “What if you made cupcakes and took them to church for people to taste—with your parents’ permission, of course? If they love it, someone might ask to place an order. And just like that, you’ve started.”
It’s amazing how freely children dream when given the space. More and more young people today are launching small businesses—from making and selling bracelets to baking cookies or designing simple apps, kidpreneurs are proving that age doesn’t stop great ideas.
But here’s the thing: having a good business idea is just the beginning. If you want people to support your idea—whether it’s your parents, a teacher, a judge at a competition, or even a potential customer—you need to know how to talk about it clearly and confidently. That’s called a pitch.
And no, pitching isn’t just for people in suits or TV shows like Shark Tank. It’s simply about explaining your idea in a way that gets people interested and gets them to buy into it.
In this post, we’ll walk through 6 simple and realistic steps to help you pitch your business idea like a pro—even if it’s your first time. Whether you’re getting ready for a school fair, a small pitch competition, or just want to tell your parents about your idea, these steps will help you feel more prepared and confident. Let’s get started.
1. Know Your Business Inside and Out
Before you pitch your idea to anyone, you need to really understand what you’re offering. That means being able to clearly explain what your business is about, who it helps, and why it’s a good idea.
Ask yourself:
What exactly am I selling or offering?
Who is it for? (Is it for kids, parents, students, pet owners?)
What problem does it solve, or what need does it meet?
How much will I charge, and why?
For example, if your business idea is selling fruit popsicles at school, you should know what makes your popsicles special (maybe they’re made with real fruit and no sugar), who would likely buy them (hungry students during break), and how much each one costs to make and sell.
When you understand your business clearly, it’s easier to talk about it with confidence—and answer any questions people may ask.
2. Start with a Hook that Grabs Attention
People hear lots of ideas every day, so it’s important to start your pitch with something that makes them sit up and listen. This is called a “hook”—and it helps get their attention from the beginning.
Your hook could be:
A question: “Have you ever been so hot during school break time that you wished you had something cold to eat?”
A short story: “Last term, my friend and I were always thirsty during break, and the school canteen didn’t sell anything healthy. That’s when I got the idea…”
A surprising fact: “Did you know that most snacks sold in schools have more than 5 teaspoons of sugar?”
The goal is to help the listener understand the problem your business solves or the opportunity you’re going after—right from the first few seconds. A good hook sets the tone for the rest of your pitch and makes people want to hear more.
3. Explain the Problem and Your Solution
Once you’ve grabbed their attention with a good hook, it’s time to explain why your business matters. What problem are you solving?
Every good business idea helps make life easier, better, faster, or more fun for someone. When pitching your idea, describe the specific problem you noticed, and then explain how your business solves it.
Let’s say you noticed that many students at your school complain that the snacks during break are too expensive or not healthy. That’s a problem. Your idea to make and sell affordable, homemade fruit snacks becomes the solution.
Keep it short and clear:
Problem: “Most of the snacks at our school canteen are expensive and full of sugar.”
Solution: “I want to make tasty fruit snacks that cost less and are made from real fruit—so students can enjoy break time without spending too much or eating junk.”
The clearer your explanation, the more likely your listener will understand (and support) your idea.
4. Show What Makes You Different
Now that they understand your solution, they’ll probably be wondering, “Why should people choose your idea over others?”
This is where you show what makes your business stand out. It doesn’t have to be something huge—just something special or thoughtful that others aren’t doing.
It could be:
A unique flavour or recipe you created yourself
Lower prices than what’s already available
A personal story behind your idea
A fun packaging style or eco-friendly materials
Delivery to classroom doors during break
For example: “Unlike the snacks from the school canteen, my fruit snacks are made fresh each morning, cost half the price, and come with fun trivia facts on the wrapper.”
Being different doesn’t mean doing something no one else has ever done. It just means offering something in your unique way that makes people smile, think, or say “Wow, that’s special.”
5. Practice, Practice, Practice
Even the best ideas can fall flat if you're not confident when talking about them. That’s why practice is so important. The more you practice your pitch, the more natural it will feel—and the less nervous you’ll be when it really matters.
Start by saying your pitch out loud to yourself. Then try it in front of a mirror. After that, practice in front of family or friends and ask them what they liked and what was confusing. This helps you figure out which parts to say more clearly and where to slow down.
You don’t need to memorize every word, but you should know the key points: your idea, the problem it solves, what makes it different, and what you want next. With enough practice, you’ll sound more confident and relaxed—and people will be more likely to take your idea seriously.
Pro Tip: Time yourself! Most good pitches are just 3–5 minutes long, so make every word count.
6. End with a Strong Ask or Next Step
You’ve shared your idea. You’ve explained why it matters. Now what?
Don’t just stop and say, “That’s all.” End your pitch with a clear and confident ask. What do you want the person to do after hearing your pitch?
Do you want them to invest some money? Give you a chance to sell at an upcoming event? Share your idea with someone else? Give you feedback? Let them know.
Here are a few ways to end your pitch:
“I’d love to have a small table at the PTA meeting to sell my snacks. Is that possible?”
“Would you be open to giving me feedback on my product samples?”
“I’m looking for ₦50,000 to buy packaging for my first batch. Would you consider supporting me?”
The goal is to guide the listener toward a next step—something clear, simple, and doable. That’s how real business ideas move from just an idea to real action.
Sell Your Idea
Pitching a business idea can feel scary at first—especially as a young entrepreneur—but with the right steps, it gets easier and more exciting. The truth is, people are often more willing to listen and support you than you think. They just need to understand what your idea is, why it matters, and how they can help.
Remember, your age isn’t a disadvantage. It’s actually your superpower. People love to see young minds thinking boldly. So don’t wait till you’re “older” or “ready.” You’re ready now.
Go on—share your idea. You never know who might say yes.