Do you remember the first time you earned money on your own?

For us, it was a small cupboard in front of our house in Switzerland in 2021.

People’s reactions were kind and supportive.

But what we didn’t expect was that some relatives were uncomfortable with the idea of us selling cards, simply because we were kids.

And we remember thinking: why did earning money seem wrong to them?

We were making something with our hands, putting it out there, and seeing if people liked it. Nobody was forced to buy anything.

So to us, it felt like a good thing.

We kept going.

Today, a few years later, we’ve been noticing that a lot of teens our age, and even older, do not earn any of their own money.

That surprises us, because trying to earn money has taught us a lot.

When you do, you start asking different questions—what people actually need, what they would enjoy, and why they would choose this.

You start thinking more about other people, not just yourself. You want to make something they will actually appreciate and use.

And when someone buys what you made, even for a small amount, that feels really satisfying. Not just because you earned money, but because something you created mattered enough that someone was willing to pay for it.

It also gives you confidence, because you see that what you made has real value for someone else.

Earning money also changes the way you look at money itself.

When money comes through a parent’s card or phone, it can feel almost abstract, like it just appears. But when you’ve worked hard to earn even a few dollars, you think twice before spending it.

Do I really want this?
Should I save it?
Should I reinvest it?

It also gives you more freedom, even at a young age. You can save for something you really want, treat yourself sometimes, support one of your own ideas, and start building a vision of your own. We’re saving some money for a trip to Paris this summer—to visit art museums and finally see the café Pli, where we first got the idea for our letter to the future box.

What you learn while earning it stays with you—even after the money is gone.

Solène & Zélia, for SoliaVenture

P.S. This is our 50th newsletter! Thank you for being here with us. ♥

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