Entrepreneurship is about turning an idea into something real that people want. You'll learn what it takes to start a business, talk to someone who has done it, and write a plan for your own idea. Many Scouts discover they already think like entrepreneurs.
Why it's worth it
Entrepreneurs notice a problem and build something people will pay to have solved. That could be a lawn-mowing service, a bake sale that turns into a catering idea, or an app. This badge walks you through how real founders think: finding an idea, testing whether anyone wants it, figuring out costs and prices, and planning for things that go wrong. Even if you never start a company, you'll learn to spot opportunities and make a plan to chase them.
Start this week
- Start an idea list today. Every time something annoys you or someone says "I wish...", write it down.
- Ask your Scoutmaster for the name of an Entrepreneurship counselor, and contact them with a parent copied.
- Think of someone in your family's circle who started a business, and ask a parent to help you set up an interview with them.
- Make a quick list of your skills and rate each from 1 to 5, honestly.
Requirements · 6
Every official requirement and part, numbered to match Scouting America, in plain language. Sign off against the official wording (opens in a new tab).
- Requirement 1
Define entrepreneurship in your own words and explain to your counselor how entrepreneurs affect the U.S. economy
Tip: Think of local businesses you know that started small. Talk about how they create jobs and serve your community.
For example: Explain entrepreneurship with a local example, like a food truck that started with one cook and now employs six people and buys from local farms. Then talk about how new businesses create jobs and pay taxes that support schools and roads.
- Requirement 2
Explain to your counselor why an entrepreneur needs strong skills in leadership, teamwork, communication, planning, organization, decision making, problem solving, basic math, adaptability, and technical and social skills
Tip: Make a list of skills like problem solving, communication, and handling money, and rate yourself honestly on each.
- Requirement 3
Find and interview someone who started a business about their education, early jobs, where the idea came from, what starting it took, how they raised the money (capital), successes and challenges, and how the business is doing now if relevant; discuss what you learned with your counselor
Tip: Ask a local shop owner, a family friend, or a parent who runs a business if they'd share their story. Prepare your questions ahead of time.
For example: Interview a business owner with a parent present. Good questions: How did you get your first customer? What almost made you quit? What do you wish you'd known? Write down the answer that surprised you most.
- Requirement 4
Brainstorm and write down as many business ideas as you can, pick the three best opportunities, then choose one and explain to your counselor why you picked it and why you think it can succeed
Tip: Write down every idea you have for a week, even silly ones. Then pick your top three and ask who would buy each one.
For example: Brainstorm 15 ideas, then score your top three on: who would buy it, what it costs to start, what you'd charge, and whether you'd enjoy doing it. For example: pet walking, bike tune-ups, or custom camp gear bags.
- Requirement 5
Write a business plan for your idea that covers every part below
Tip: Keep your plan short and clear. Cover what you'll sell, who will buy it, what it costs, and how you'll get the word out.
For example: A short plan for a bike tune-up service: the service (tire, brake, and chain check), customers (families in your neighborhood), costs (tools, lube, flyers), price ($15 per bike), and marketing (flyers and a sign at a community event).
- Requirement 5a
Product or service
- Requirement 5a1
Describe the product or service you will offer
- Requirement 5a2
Set goals for your business
- Requirement 5a3
Explain how you can produce enough of the product, or provide enough of the service, to reach your goals
- Requirement 5a4
Identify and describe possible liability risks of your product or service
- Requirement 5a5
Find out what license, if any, you may need to make or sell your product or service
- Requirement 5b
Market analysis
- Requirement 5b1
Identify the kinds of customers likely to buy your product or service
- Requirement 5b2
Identify your competitors and describe their strengths and weaknesses
- Requirement 5b3
Describe what makes your product or service unique
- Requirement 5c
Finances
- Requirement 5c1
Figure out how much money you need to start the business and where you'll get it
- Requirement 5c2
Figure out what it costs to offer your product or service and what price you'll charge to make a profit
- Requirement 5c3
Describe what you'll do with the money your sales bring in
- Requirement 5d
Personnel
- Requirement 5d1
Decide which parts of the business you'll run yourself and describe your qualifications
- Requirement 5d2
Decide whether you'll need help running the business, and if so, describe each role's responsibilities and the qualifications it needs
- Requirement 5e
Promotion and marketing
- Requirement 5e1
Describe how you'll promote your business to possible customers
- Requirement 5e2
Explain how you'll use the internet and social media to build awareness of your product or service
- Requirement 5e3
Design a flyer or poster promoting your product or service
- Requirement 6
Once you think your idea is workable, picture the business already operating: what successes and problems might come up, and how would you recover from failures? Discuss with your counselor ethical questions you might face and how you'd handle them
Tip: Picture your first month in business. Think about what could go wrong and how you'd handle it.
For example: Picture month one: "I got eight customers from flyers, but two bikes needed parts I didn't have." Then talk about fixes, like a parts list, a higher price for extra work, or referring big repairs to a shop.
Places to visit
Ask an adult to set it up, and go with your family, den, patrol, or crew.
A small business or startup workspace
See how an owner handles customers, inventory, and money day to day.
How: Have an adult ask a business owner they know whether you and a buddy could visit for 30 minutes and ask questions.
A small business development center or library business resource desk
Learn how people get free help writing business plans and finding funding.
How: An adult can call ahead and ask if an advisor could talk with a few Scouts about how they help new businesses.
Where it can lead
- Small business ownerRuns everything from a bakery to a landscaping company; no single path required.
- Skilled tradesperson with your own shopMany electricians, plumbers, and mechanics eventually start their own businesses.
- Product managerFigures out what customers need and leads the team that builds it.
- Business advisor or loan officerHelps new businesses plan and find the money to start.
- Nonprofit founderUses business skills to solve community problems instead of earning profit.
Ask yourself
- What problem do you notice that nobody seems to be solving yet?
- Which entrepreneur skill comes most naturally to you, and which needs work?
- What surprised you most in your interview with a business owner?
- How do you feel about taking risks, and how could you make a risk smaller?
- What would success look like for your idea, besides making money?
Good questions to ask a business owner you interview
- How did you come up with your business idea?
- How did you find your first customers?
- What was the hardest moment, and what kept you going?
- How do you decide what to charge?
- What would you do differently if you started over today?
Helpful reads
- Earning a merit badge, step by step, From picking a badge to getting the final signature: how to find a counselor, set up meetings safely, work the requirements, and keep your progress., Youth · Families · 6 min read
- Contacting counselors, experts, and organizations, Email and phone scripts, who to ask for, how to follow up, and how to say thanks, with a parent copied every time., Youth · Families · 7 min read
- Choosing your next merit badge, How to pick a badge you'll actually finish: start with what you care about, balance Eagle-required and just-for-fun badges, and make the most of camp., Youth · Families · 6 min read
For leaders & parents
- Invite a local business owner to tell their startup story at a troop meeting.
- Connect this badge to a troop fundraiser so Scouts can see a real plan in action.
People & places that can help
- Merit badge counselor — Talk with them early; they can explain what's expected.
- U.S. Small Business Administration (opens in a new tab) — Guides to writing a business plan and starting a business.
- SCORE (opens in a new tab) — Volunteer business mentors who help people start businesses.
- Local business owners — Great people to interview about what starting a business really takes.
- Junior Achievement (opens in a new tab) — Programs that teach students about starting businesses and managing money.
- Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (opens in a new tab) — Youth entrepreneurship programs and business plan challenges.
- DECA (opens in a new tab) — A high school organization with business and entrepreneurship competitions.
Pairs well with
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Tips, examples, and questions are ideas from experienced leaders, not extra requirements. Your unit leader or counselor decides when a requirement is complete.