As parents, we all want to raise humans who are passionate about serving their communities and who are self-motivated. Anyone who is willing to take the leap of faith and start a business must be able to motivate themselves time and time again, while also having a passion for solving the problems they see in the world. But the entrepreneurial spirit is about more than business. Maybe your child is not going to be the next Oprah Winfrey, Steve Jobs, or J.K. Rowling, but the spirit of entrepreneurship is about the drive to seek solutions and the refusal to be a victim of the status quo. That drive will serve our children no matter what path they take.
A local private school, Acton Academy, prides itself on helping each student develop that entrepreneurial spirit. We can implement some of their guiding principles at home. Here are 3 ways we as parents can raise the next generation of entrepreneurs.
1. Help guide and prepare our children to find their “hero’s journey”
When I think of the term hero’s journey, I am taking back to high school English and the famous Odyssey. Odysseus undertakes an epic adventure on his way home from Troy, filled with trials and tests. We are all on a Hero’s Journey, a call to adventure that takes us outside our comfort zone, tests us, and changes us. Encourage your child to see each new challenge, big or small, as a part of this journey. Are they beginning a new friendship? Learning a sport? These are examples of calls to adventure. When they encounter obstacles, encourage them to see these as dragons to fight. Encourage them to find mentors and fellow travelers to support them. Help them to reflect on how the journey is changing them. The entrepreneur is the hero who takes on challenge and gets up when they fail.
2. Create time for independent, learner-driven projects
Schedules are often jam-packed, but if you want to raise a visionary, your child will need time to day dream and pursue their ideas. Entrepreneurs are self-motivated and propelled by their fascination and wonder. A project or topic chosen by your child can be the fuel they need to spark a passion for research, problem solving, and discussion. Pro tip? Don’t be afraid to turn the screens off and let your kids get bored. Boredom is fertile ground for the budding entrepreneur; it’s where the seeds of creativity are sown!
3. Find or be a “Running Partner”
Every hero on a journey needs fellow travelers. A running partner is more than a cheerleader. This person (you or even better, another child) will help your child set goals related to their passion projects, act as a sounding board, and even provide accountability. Running partners encourage and inspire one another by providing a place to discuss big ideas. People with the entrepreneurial spirit know the value of intentional friendships.
Bonus Tip: Visit the Acton Children’s Business Fair
On April 13 from 9 a.m. to noon, Acton Academy Albuquerque will be hosting the Acton Children’s Business Fair. This fair is an opportunity for any child in the Albuquerque area to try out their entrepreneurial skills. Kids develop an idea for a product or service, a brand, a marketing strategy, and then sell their goods in this one-day marketplace. This fun morning out is an amazing way to support the kids of Albuquerque and also may inspire your own child to pursue an entrepreneurial passion. For more information about the Acton Children’s Business Fair, please visit their website.
