by Ann Weil
First published 2003
Kids today might think bugs are just creepy crawlers, but some young people see dollar signs when they look at insects. This book follows several teenage entrepreneurs who have built successful businesses around bugs. From cricket farming operations that supply protein powder companies to butterfly gardens that attract tourists, these young business owners prove that unconventional ideas can generate real profits. Readers meet a high school student who breeds mealworms in her garage and sells them to pet stores, and a brother-sister team who started a company collecting and selling exotic beetles to collectors worldwide. Each story shows how these teens identified opportunities, overcame challenges like skeptical parents and regulatory hurdles, and built sustainable enterprises. The book reveals how the insect industry connects to larger trends in sustainable food production and environmental responsibility while remaining focused on the practical business lessons these young entrepreneurs learned along the way.
Genres: science, business, non-fiction, entrepreneurship
Vibes: educational, inspirational, thought-provoking
Tropes: overcoming-challenges, real-life-stories
Period: 21st-century
44 pages · Paperback · Steck-Vaughn Company