Is your kid creative? Do they understand the value of a dollar? Are they always tinkering, building, or taking things apart? Chances are, you might have an entrepreneur on your hands!
While our schooling system isn’t exactly set up to detect and foster entrepreneurial minds, parents can take the reigns of developing their child’s natural curiosity.
Here are some signs that your kid might be an entrepreneur:
They Show Interest In Business Early On
Whether it is starting a lemonade stand in the neighborhood, or selling chocolate bars door to door, entrepreneurs usually show interest in making money at an early age.
“Some business leaders around the country started businesses as kids, including Honest Tea’s CEO Seth Goldman, who sold golf balls he dug up from the course near his home, while Vosges Haut-Chocolat’s CEO Katrina Markoff, said she offered Easy-Bake Oven treats to customers.” – CNN
Most kids don’t really know what they want to be when they grow up. However, many business owners will attest that they’ve “always been an entrepreneur” in one way or another.
They’re Obsessive Problem Solvers
Entrepreneurs tend to become obsessive in a good way. When they find a problem that’s worth solving they are often “all in”.
“Obsession may seem like a sinister thing in Hollywood movies, but it’s entrepreneurial fuel when it’s directed toward the right things. Those who obsess over their businesses are likely to stick with their ventures well beyond the time the non-obsessed have given up.” – Entrepreneur
They’re Calculated Risk-Takers, NOT Risk-Seekers
At a young age, entrepreneurs have a desire to understand the bigger picture. They often challenge the status quo and take calculated risks in order to satisfy their curiosity.
“Entrepreneurs aren’t risk-seekers — they just handle risk better… The truth is that most entrepreneurs are more comfortable with risk than most people, but that doesn’t make them risk-seekers. They’re optimists and realists who are willing to face risk and mitigate it. It’s what they do.” – Entrepreneur
Don’t be afraid if your kid regularly climbs to the top of the highest jungle gym, often goes exploring or questions authority – they’re probably just an entrepreneur.
They’re Highly Curious
Curiosity is one of the leading predictors that your kid might be an entrepreneur.
“Curiosity leads to questions, and questions lead to answers. Those answers lead to a deeper understanding of the world around you and the opportunity to solve problems you wouldn’t even have known existed otherwise.” – Women On Business
Entrepreneurial kids are highly curious. It’s rare that you can tell a kid with entrepreneurial traits to do something “because I said so”. As the parent of a young entrepreneur, the more answers you have, the better!
How To Encourage A Budding Entrepreneur
It’s important for parents of entrepreneurs to instill proper values in their children by teaching them:
- about money (financial literacy is a must!)
- the virtue of patience and long-term thinking
- that it’s okay to think outside of the box
- that their creativity is a gift
The most important thing entrepreneurial kids need is perspective. Entrepreneurship is a lifelong pursuit and there will be lots of mistakes along the way. Very few entrepreneurs knock it out of the park on their first try, so it’s important for parents to instill a sense of passion and grit in their kids.
Entrepreneurs are different. They have an unseen force driving them from within. When parents choose to encourage rather than discourage divergent thinking and creativity, they help raise our future thought leaders, inventors, and creatives. It’s an honor to be the parent of an entrepreneur!
If you have questions or would like more information, I’d be happy to help. Please send an email, and my team will get in touch with you!
