Every Voice Matters: Raising Confident Young Leaders with Leah Ellis
About this Episode
What if we stopped underestimating children and started listening to them as leaders?
In this episode, Ashley sits down with Leah Ellis, founder of the Society of Child Entrepreneurs, for a powerful conversation about youth empowerment, creativity, and what true intergenerational leadership actually looks like.
Leah challenges the belief that children should wait their turn to lead. Instead, she shows what happens when kids are trusted with real responsibility, real decision-making power, and real-world learning through entrepreneurship.
This conversation is for parents, educators, nonprofit leaders, and anyone rethinking how we prepare the next generation to lead with confidence, curiosity, and courage.
They talk about
Why adults often underestimate children and what it costs us
How entrepreneurship builds confidence, communication, and emotional intelligence
What kids learn when they earn, spend, save, and give their own money
Why youth belong in decision-making spaces, including boards and budgets
How junior boards of directors create real ownership for young leaders
Filling the financial literacy gap through hands-on entrepreneurship
The Society of Child Entrepreneurs’ curriculum and leadership framework
How parents can nurture entrepreneurial thinking at home
What Leah has learned from her daughter’s leadership journey
Unleashing your inner queen by trusting others and letting go of control
Show Notes
Children Are Capable Leaders - If We Let Them Be: Leah explains how underestimating kids makes them easier to manage, but silences powerful ideas. When children are given platforms, their creativity and leadership can exceed expectations.
Entrepreneurship as Confidence-Building: Starting a business teaches more than money. Kids learn problem-solving, communication, emotional regulation, math, creativity, and resilience - all through real-world experience.
Youth in the Room Where Decisions Are Made: The Society of Child Entrepreneurs includes a junior board of directors who actively weigh in on programs, systems, and budgets. Their voices shape the organization’s direction.
Financial Literacy Through Action: Instead of abstract lessons, Leah teaches kids how to earn, spend, save, and give. This hands-on approach builds lifelong financial confidence and responsibility.
A Holistic Curriculum for Young Leaders: The curriculum integrates entrepreneurship, leadership, social-emotional learning, and financial literacy-aligned with national standards and leadership frameworks - to support whole-child development.
Unleashing Your Inner Queen: For Leah, unleashing your inner queen means trusting others, listening deeply, and releasing the need to control everything. Leadership grows stronger when more voices are invited in.
Guest Appearing in This Episode
Leah Ellis: Founder, Society of Child Entrepreneurs and championing youth-driven leadership, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy for the next generation.
Know a parent, educator, or leader rethinking how we empower young people? Share this episode. It might change how they see leadership - at every age.
