Connor Boyack never set out to be a children’s author or an architect of youth entrepreneurship programs. His career began in politics and web development, but a persistent search for meaning and impact ultimately led him to build one of the most influential educational movements of the past decade. Today, as founder of the Libertas Network and creator of the Tuttle Twins book series, Boyack is reshaping how families and children think about freedom, entrepreneurship, and the American Dream.

From Politics to Purpose

Boyack’s early professional life was grounded in web development, but the work felt transactional. “I didn’t really feel a lot of purpose and soul in that,” he recalls. His curiosity pulled him into politics and grassroots activism, where he applied his skills in marketing, design, and communication to advance causes he believed in.

In 2011, he launched the Libertas Institute, a Utah-based think tank dedicated to legal and regulatory reform. The organization quickly became a force for entrepreneurs and families burdened by red tape. Yet, as Boyack worked in policy, another calling emerged: education.

He began writing children’s books—the now best-selling Tuttle Twins series—to distill complex ideas about liberty, economics, and civic responsibility into lessons young readers could understand. What started as a side project quickly snowballed into a cultural phenomenon, selling millions of copies and spawning an animated series. Alongside this, he created the Children’s Entrepreneur Market, giving kids practical experience in starting and running businesses.

These initiatives outgrew their original home, leading Boyack to rebrand his think tank as the Libertas Network, a nonprofit umbrella housing multiple national programs that empower families to think and act entrepreneurially.

Rethinking Education for Builders, Not Just Beneficiaries

Boyack is blunt in his critique of traditional schooling. “The system isn’t really set up to produce entrepreneurs,” he argues. Instead, it rewards conformity, memorization, and standardized testing—qualities often at odds with entrepreneurial thinking.

His mission is to help children develop three essential skills:

1. Critical Thinking – The ability to recognize problems and opportunities in the world around them.

2. Problem Solving – Translating insights into actionable solutions.

3. Value Creation – Shifting from a “what’s in it for me” mindset to asking, “what’s in it for them?”

“Not every child will become an entrepreneur,” Boyack says. “But every child should learn to think and act entrepreneurially. Whether you’re a business owner or an entry-level employee, those skills will set you apart.”

This philosophy guides Libertas Network programs like KidsMarkets.com, where more than 100,000 children nationwide will launch micro-businesses this year. From lemonade stands to ukulele lessons, participants learn economics, marketing, and financial literacy—not from textbooks, but from the profit motive itself.

The American Dream in a Changing Economy

When asked if the American Dream is still alive for today’s youth, Boyack offers a nuanced view. Rising costs and inflation have created a sense of pessimism among younger generations. But he believes opportunity remains abundant—especially for those willing to create rather than consume.

“What we try and combat is the vibe that success is impossible,” he explains. “Entrepreneurship shows kids they can be masters of their own destiny. If they can solve someone’s problem, they’ll be rewarded. That’s the American Dream—alive and well, just in a different form than decades ago.”

A Call for Educational Reform

Boyack envisions an education system that embraces competition, choice, and real-world expertise. He cites states adopting education spending accounts, which allow parents to redirect public funding toward private schools, micro-schools, or homeschool programs, as a positive step.

“We need to open up a marketplace of ideas,” he says. “Competition improves outcomes and reduces costs. If we can bring entrepreneurs, parents, and mentors into the process earlier, kids will benefit from the kind of real-world exposure that textbooks can’t provide.”

Teaching by Doing

For parents, Boyack’s advice is straightforward: entrepreneurship is best taught by example. That may mean inviting children into family businesses, arranging mentorship opportunities, or starting small ventures together. “Learning by doing is far more powerful than abstract lessons,” he says.

One girl in his program charged $5 for 15-minute ukulele lessons. Beyond the music, she learned branding, booth design, pricing, and budgeting—all through a simple business transaction. “She wasn’t trying to learn marketing or finance,” Boyack notes. “She just wanted to earn money for something she cared about. And along the way, she absorbed all those lessons naturally.”

Looking Ahead

Through Libertas Network, Boyack is betting on a future where families embrace entrepreneurship as a core life skill. His work—spanning books, markets, curricula, and policy—has one unifying theme: equipping the rising generation to be builders, not just beneficiaries.

“The more we empower kids to think critically, solve problems, and create value, the more resilient they’ll be,” Boyack says. “And that’s good not just for their future, but for the future of our society.”

👉 Learn more about youth entrepreneurship programs at KidsMarkets.com.