By Dan Mitchell, MLM Blog Correspondent

"The only way out of every recession is innovation, and the most innovative people on the planet are always kids."

– Mark Victor Hansen, "The Richest Kids in America: How They Earn It, How They Spend It, How You Can Too"

And as Whitney Houston so famously sang: "I believe the children are our future/Teach them well and let them lead the way/Show them all the beauty they possess inside/Give them a sense of pride…"

From Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Natosha Jones is a walking advertisement for Natosha's Jewelry.

She's wearing three bracelets, two rings, two necklaces and a pair of earrings, all red, black and gold, and all her own design.

Jewelry making started as a hobby and has turned into a small business for the 18-year-old, who spends about three days a week crafting her wares using beads from Wal-Mart. She sells her designs to relatives, friends and people she meets through school.

"I was always into fashion and stuff," she said. "You can wear something plain and then just hook it up with accessories. It adds to your look."

Ms. Jones, who lives in the Hill District, has been making and selling jewelry since she was 13. While she hasn't made much money so far, she remains optimistic and dreams of opening her own jewelry store in New York City or maybe somewhere in Florida. Someplace where people are fashionable, she said.

"This is exactly what I want to do," Ms. Jones said. "Something with jewelry or fashion design. I love arts and crafts."

Ms. Jones, and other young people like her who are starting their own businesses, may be the solution to bringing the United States out of the recession, according to Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series. Mr. Hansen is the author of the newly published book, "The Richest Kids in America: How They Earn It, How They Spend It, How You Can Too."

"The only way out of every recession is innovation, and the most innovative people on the planet are always kids," he said.

The new book profiles entrepreneurs under 18 who have taken talents — such as painting or baking — and turned them into money-making opportunities.

Starting a business is no easy feat, but for some teenagers it might be easier than finding a job.

Read the whole story…