5 Ways to Encourage Kid-trepreneurship!

According to the U.S. Small Business Association, about 75% of jobs are created by small businesses. Without small businesses, the independent, African American private school where I serve as Vice Principal would be impossible to operate. Small businesses provide us with essential resources and services needed to run an effective, safe and engaging learning environment for our students.

In addition to supporting small businesses, we must encourage our children to become entrepreneurs starting their own small businesses, creating and inventing, solving problems, providing goods and services.  Owning your own business can be the difference between being content and happy or being bereft and miserable in life. 

Although you may not be an entrepreneur, there are ways to encourage your children to become business owners.

LEARN FROM SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURS

Entrepreneurs come in all ages and backgrounds. So many young people are leading the way in profitable start-up businesses, like  Miles Jackson, Owner and CEO of Nerd Supreme Apparel. Miles started his business at 10 years old, selling unisex bow ties.

BACK SMALL BUSINESSES IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Support for small businesses can be given in many ways. Of course spending money is the most apparent support.  As well, giving  a small business an endorsement can boost the businesses’ reputation in the community.  Share your experience with others by writing reviews on the businesses’ websites or review sites like Yelp, Google + Local, and Yahoo! Local. Spendefy and The Tag List, websites that connect African Americans to businesses within the community.  These sites hosts events and encourage consumers to consciously support the community.

CULTIVATE TALENTS AND PASSIONS

So you’ve noticed that your child loves sewing and making pillows.  Encourage your child to become great at it by signing them up for a class, watching videos online, purchasing books highlighting that talent.  Encourage them to explore all aspects of producing a particular product to develop a niche. That niche can be the beginning of their small business.  Even if their business brings in $20.00 a month, it is money they can save and invest to make more money.

BUILD YOUR PERSONAL BRAND

Social media is the key strategy in building a business reputation you want to portray. Maintaining a positive personal brand will help you gain committed supporters.  Use the friends and family you have on Facebook and Instagram (I know you have a following) to leverage your future support. We must look to our communities for encouragement.

BE THE MODEL

It is never too early or late in life to start a business. You have ideas all the time—solving daily problems, people telling you what you are good at, asking you to make them one, or you simply enjoy some activity immensely.  Develop an idea, make a prototype, believe that you can become a business owner and be wonderful at it.  If you have no idea where to begin, Goode Stuff Consultants www.publishgoodestuff.com can help you come up with an action plan, create your website, and publish materials about your business. 

Bringing. It. Together.However you support small businesses—it’s a must, in order to foster a better way of life for our children and ourselves.  Support your community, while building your own network. Connect with liked-minded individuals, and  research successful entrepreneurs. Use the small businesses in your community to explore your children’s talents and your own. Build a positive personal brand, and then try it—start a business, even if you don’t have a lot of money, some businesses can and have began with just minimum start up cost.