“At 10 years old I started my 1st business. A card-making company. Without fail, I would finish my homework before the final bell, just so I could spend my whole afternoon creating handmade cards. I had a strict ‘no money no card’ policy, & if family friends were interested – I would make sure prices varied depending on what suburb they lived in.
Informed by my amazing parents who both have their own businesses, I quickly became obsessed with work. At 14 & 9 months I got my first job in a cafe. At 16 I was bringing home piles of gold coins each day from school after starting my own scrunchie business – all fun and games until the principal banned scrunchies as my fluffy pink patterns were infiltrating the corridors & clashing with our strict uniform policy.
After graduating, I continued to open myself up to so many opportunities running the social media for a startup (going from 500 followers to 12k in 6 months), picking up couches from the side of the road & selling them to my friends, tutoring high school girls, working in a boutique store, creating a shot glass business, working in a pub & working with kids with disabilities.
At the age of 19 I began my first internship – an experience I was craving. I worked at Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy in the bubbles team, alongside businesswomen who approached each task with a fierce passion, they were amazing.
But over the last year, I’ve shifted my focus, starting YouthForce, a recruitment startup connecting young adults with job opportunities. I was inspired to do this after working multiple jobs to fund a 4-month trip to Europe, where many of my employers asked me if I knew other young people who could work. That’s when it clicked—there was a niche here that I could fill.
Youthforce has taught me about embracing imperfection and adaptability. At 21, my post-graduation dream is building a scalable business focused on financial education. I believe young people should actively shape their futures rather than wait for opportunities – a mindset that’s guided my journey and one I hope to share with others.” Lulu Ghattas
Written by @vikippang
Edited by @disha_raheja_14
