Chase Gallagher was just 12 years old when he began mowing his neighbors’ lawns in Chester County, Pennsylvania, charging $35 per job during the summer of 2013. Starting with only two customers, his client base grew to 10 by the following year, thanks to his proactive leafleting efforts.
Fast forward to today, Gallagher’s landscaping business, CMG Landscaping, employs 10 people and offers a wide range of services, including stormwater management, drainage work, pavers, and lighting. Last year, the company generated over $1.5 million in revenue, a remarkable achievement for someone whose peers were still completing their bachelor’s degrees.
While it’s uncommon for a childhood side hustle to evolve into such a lucrative venture, Gallagher had been planning this path since he was 10. “No one would hire me because, in Pennsylvania, you have to be 14 to get a job,” recalls the now 23-year-old. “Between school, I’d sit on the couch googling, ‘How to make money.’”
Gallagher’s story fits the classic founder narrative, but what’s equally striking is his perspective on traditional employment. He believes that following his parents’ advice—going to college and securing a steady job—would have been riskier than betting on himself. “My mom has been laid off from five different jobs,” he says. “I have way more potential betting on myself than working for someone else.”
This mindset is surprisingly common among Gen Z, a generation that grew up with smartphones rather than climbing trees. For them, entrepreneurship is not only attainable but increasingly appealing. According to LinkedIn, “founder” is the second-fastest-growing job title among Gen Z graduates. A study by software firm Intuit found that nearly two-thirds of people aged 18 to 35 have either started a side gig or plan to do so, with nearly half citing the desire to be their own boss as their primary motivation.
While self-employed success remains an aspiration for many, Gen Z’s entrepreneurial spirit marks a significant shift from the more conventional career paths favored by millennials and Gen X. This shift poses a challenge for business leaders aiming to attract top young talent.
“My generation doesn’t want to work consulting or banking jobs,” says Steven Schwartz, a 26-year-old serial entrepreneur whose latest venture, Whop, is a marketplace for digital entrepreneurs. “They want to make content online, find customers online, and build friendships online because the internet is so powerful.”
### The Role of Technology and Social Media
Experts attribute Gen Z’s entrepreneurial drive to technology, social media, and witnessing millennial burnout. Unlike previous generations, who needed physical storefronts and local newspaper ads to market their businesses, today’s entrepreneurs can create websites, sell products on TikTok, and connect with clients on Zoom—all from home.
“There’s so much more infrastructure available for people who want to create things of their own,” says Natasha Stanley, head coach at Careershifters.org. She notes a “democratization of access to the entrepreneurial world,” accelerated by pandemic-driven remote work and schooling.
Gallagher credits his success to the tools at his fingertips. “This device has made me millions of dollars,” he says, pointing to his phone. “It’s helped me market my business, connect with people, and even set up an LLC for $400.”
Social media has also given Gen Z an unfiltered view of the working world. Millennials, who were promised lucrative careers after college, faced hiring challenges post-2008 financial crisis and stagnant wages. Their online complaints about burnout and job insecurity have shaped Gen Z’s perspective. “Gen Z is seeing people talk about burnout and thinking, ‘If that’s what’s coming, I’d rather design a career that serves me,’” Stanley explains.
### The Rise of Side Hustles
For many Gen Zers, entrepreneurship starts with a side hustle. Brooklyn-based Schwartz, for example, began his entrepreneurial journey at 13 when he wanted a pair of high-end sneakers but couldn’t afford them. He teamed up with a friend to create a bot that bought limited-edition sneakers before they sold out. Since then, Schwartz has launched at least 22 side hustles, with Whop now his full-time job. The platform, which launched in 2021, has over 5.5 million users and has generated $723 million in earnings for freelancers.
However, the gap between aspiring to be a founder and actually becoming one is wide. According to a Fiverr survey, while 70% of Gen Zers say they are freelancing or plan to, less than 5% do it full-time. Many use “founder” as a title on their social media bios without taking concrete action. “I have peers who want to start a business or have an LLC, but there’s no action,” Gallagher says. “A lot of it’s just talk.”
### Balancing Entrepreneurship and Security
For some, entrepreneurship is a way to diversify income and reduce risk. Fashion influencer Khadijah Oliver, for example, has over 64,000 TikTok followers and collaborates with brands like Old Navy and Abercrombie & Fitch. But she’s also a licensed chiropractic doctor, which she calls her “security blanket.” Oliver has turned her online side hustle into a passive income stream through her hair-product dropshipping company, K. Sade Kollection. She plans to go full-time as an influencer by 2025 but knows she can always fall back on her medical career.
### The Future of Work for Gen Z
As Gen Z entrepreneurs grow older, some may transition to corporate jobs, but they’ll likely demand flexibility and autonomy. “Companies need to wake up and smell the coffee,” says Tobba Vigfusdottir, CEO of workplace well-being platform Kara Connect. She warns that businesses failing to adapt risk losing top talent to competitors or innovative ventures.
To attract Gen Z talent, companies must prioritize employee well-being, foster intergenerational collaboration, and provide clear expectations. “Give them space and a voice to open up new ways of thinking,” Stanley advises. Vigfusdottir suggests leveraging Gen Z’s digital-native skills, involving them in AI initiatives, and reimagining the use of technology in business.
Ultimately, Gen Z’s entrepreneurial spirit is reshaping the future of work. As Gallagher puts it, “It’s not about the money at my age. It’s about the relationships I’m building and the knowledge I’m gaining. The wisdom I’m gaining as an entrepreneur is exponential compared to a traditional job.”