The news of Mai Mizuno, who founded a company at the young age of 12, has not only inspired many but also challenged conventional perceptions of entrepreneurship. This article reflects on Mizuno’s case, considering the reality that even an elementary school student can run a company, the entrepreneurial spirit behind it, and the challenges that lie ahead.
The Emergence of a Young Entrepreneur
According to Japanese corporate law, there is no age limit for a company founder, and minors can establish a company with the consent of a legal guardian. This system demonstrates that even a 12-year-old elementary school student can start a business. Mai Mizuno founded a hair accessory company called “Maiaringus,” and her products were born from her childhood experiences. She admired her mother’s earrings as a child, leading to the innovative idea of creating earring-like accessories without needing to pierce the ears, marking the starting point of her entrepreneurial journey.
New Business Ideas Born from a Child’s Perspective
“Maiaring®,” based on a concept that adults might not have considered, offers a friendly option for students who are prohibited from wearing earrings or people with allergies. Her creativity, which was nurtured from a young age and strengthened by overcoming a long hospital stay due to a serious illness, served as the foundation for this idea. This illustrates the potential of children’s pure ideas to bring about business innovation and suggests that, even in today’s society, they can be a crucial driving force for creating new products and services.
Commitment to Entrepreneurship and Support from Adults
Behind Mizuno’s decision to take on hundreds of thousands of yen in debt when starting her business was the support of adults, including her father. She faced many challenges, such as learning the process of obtaining a patent and setting up a company, but her strong resolve and the cooperation of adults allowed her to persevere. This demonstrates that the entrepreneurial spirit can be realized regardless of age, as long as there is passion and support.
A Role Model for the Younger Generation
Mizuno’s success serves as a significant encouragement for younger generations. Particularly for children who, like her, have ideas from a young age and aim to bring them to life, her story is a powerful source of inspiration. It is also worth noting that educational environments, like the one at her current school, N Junior High School, are increasingly offering support for entrepreneurial and creative activities.
The Challenge of Balancing Being a CEO and a Student
On the other hand, one of the major challenges she faces is balancing the responsibilities of being a CEO with her academic work as a junior high school student. Mizuno herself admits that she struggles with studying, and finding a balance with her duties as a CEO is difficult. This is a common challenge faced by young entrepreneurs who find success at an early age. It will be interesting to see how she overcomes this hurdle in the future.
Conclusion: Age Does Not Matter in Entrepreneurship
Mai Mizuno’s case proves that age is not a decisive factor in entrepreneurship. Instead, it conveys the message that anyone can succeed in the business world with innovative ideas, passion, and support from adults. We can look forward to the emergence of more young entrepreneurs who will bring new value to society in the years to come.
