392: In What Ways Do Children Grow When They Run Real Businesses?

Guest Leah Ellis is a mom of four, writer, wedding officiant, Girl Scout leader, and founder of The Society of Child Entrepreneurs. Her life blends family, creativity, and leadership, from giggling over business plans at the breakfast table to mentoring kids through hands-on entrepreneurship. With her children as her compass, Leah is reminded daily that growth is messy, love is work, and compassion changes everything. Through SoCE, Nerdy Nuptials ICT, and Girl Scouts, she creates spaces where kids, couples, and communities are empowered to lead with authenticity. Leah believes in making room for both the mess and the magic of becoming. Melody Ellis is a young artist, child entrepreneur, and community leader who blends creativity, curiosity, and confidence in everything she does. As one of the first members of The Society of Child Entrepreneurs, Melody has grown up alongside SoCE, learning how to turn ideas into action through real-world business experiences. From designing artwork and products to helping at events, she leads with imagination and heart. Guided by creativity and compassion, Melody is learning that growth takes courage, mistakes are part of the journey, and kids are capable of amazing things right now. Through SoCE, Girl Scouts, and her own creative ventures, Melody is already making her mark as a leader in the making. Summary

This episode explores how Leah Ellis and her daughter, Melody, turned a four-year-old's curiosity into a thriving business and, ultimately, a youth entrepreneurship movement. When the pandemic forced Leah to close her daycare, she pivoted into financial coaching—training that Melody absorbed from the living-room TV. Soon, Melody announced she wanted to start a business, launching a contact-free drip-art venture at age four. As her work grew, Leah recognized the need for a community of young entrepreneurs. She created the Society of Child Entrepreneurs, a structured program teaching business skills, financial literacy, adaptability, and leadership through hands-on experience. Kids learn pricing, budgeting, opportunity cost, and problem-solving, culminating in selling their products publicly.

The conversation highlights extraordinary creativity—like kids designing a robot to stop porch pirates—and the confidence that grows when adults step back and ask questions rather than set limits. Leah also discusses the proposed "SoCE Law" to ease restrictions on kids starting businesses. Throughout, Melody reflects on how entrepreneurship has made her more adaptable, expressive, and willing to share her work. Together, they illustrate what happens when young people are empowered to build real businesses.

The Essential Point

The core message is that children are far more capable than adults often assume. Creativity, business sense, and problem-solving emerge naturally when they are given space, the ability to ask questions, and trust. Leah rejects the idea that "kids are the future," arguing instead that they are powerful now. By letting kids start real businesses, handle real challenges, and make real decisions, the Society of Child Entrepreneurs helps them develop confidence, adaptability, and an entrepreneurial mindset that carries into every part of their lives.

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