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Oct
12
Shark Tank – Real Entrepreneurs, Real Investors
ABC has a reality show called Shark Tank that can give a small business owner the money they need to get it off the ground or even take it to the next level. If you make it onto the show, you present your idea to a panel of venture capitalists that will bid, and often compete, to invest in your business in exchange for a variety of interests. One investor may simply offer to lend you money, while another may offer to invest money AND help develop your business for a percentage of ownership. Usually, there is a tough variety of offers which makes the show interesting.
Watching the show for a season might give you ideas for a business of your own, but also give you an idea of what catches an investor’s interest. Learn what it takes to be on Shark Tank at ABC.com. Remember, if you have a hot idea, you are putting it out there for anyone to pick up and go with it, so be sure to have your copyright or patent paperwork in order.
This is a great show to watch as a family, and discuss the options between yourselves. Ask your children what they think the entrepreneurs would do before you give your personal opinion. You might be surprised at what they say! Kids have a different perspective, and while their idea may still need developing, their ideas are coming from a much purer outlook and sometimes offer a fresh take on old ideas.
It seems like a no-brainer to remember to always encourage them in their ideas. It’s hard to resist the impulse to tell them the logical reasons their idea won’t work but if you shoot their ideas down, it could be the last one they share with you. Think of the positive points to their idea and run with that, and they will begin to exercise that entrepreneurial part of their young brain. It’s been painful for me when I’ve realized later after thinking through an idea one of my children had after impulsively shooting it down that it might actually have potential. Remember, it’s a new generation that is creating a market that may not be developed yet. After all, who would’ve thought Facebook or Twitter would be the success they have become?
>>Check out ABC’s Shark Tank, and even watch episodes online.
More From HomeschoolEntrepreneur
Oct
07
A Curriculum-Worthy Game
I received an email today from NFIB, an amazing agency that works with at-risk youth in big cities and teaches them how to start their own business. They encourage teachers to incorporate the business simulation game Johnny Money into their lesson plans. Johnny Money was developed with a grant from the Gates Foundation, and is much, much more than just another computer game. 
If you tried this game in the past and had problems, try again. Recently updated, all the kinks seem to be worked out and several new options have been added. One of the best features you will like is the accompanying teacher’s manual that you can download and use. Over 100,000 businesses have been created on Johnny Money by almost 60,000 students. It’s one of the best educational games available online and the best part is it’s FREE!
This is one homework assignment you won’t have to tell them twice to do. Johnny Money>>
If your student is taking studying business or taking Entrepreneurship 101 this semester, have them read this blog post on NFIB’s blog on how KFC went global. Explains the many details that you wouldn’t expect to encounter when a big company goes global:
The World Is Flat #3: How KFC Went Global>>
Oct
01
Video Contest: I Am What I Learn
Win $1,000 from the US Department of Education for a video telling the world why education is important to your future. What an impact it would make if a homeschooled student won! There’s that part of me that doubts the political possibility of this, but you never know – and we can never stop trying.
There are three winners of the $1,000, and it might be you! Deadline is November 2nd. Find the details at http://www.ed.gov/iamwhatilearn
Need video editing software? Here’s a link to a run down of the best free options: http://desktopvideo.about.com/od/editingsoftware/a/freevidedit.htm
Oct
01
A Lesson In Human Resources – Google, Anyone?
I’ve always been a big advocate of the value of keeping employees happy. If your employees want to stay at your company, they will give you their best. The flip side is the worker that does just what they have to in order to keep their job and would take a better offer in a heartbeat.
Labor is often your biggest expense, so what can you do to improve the quality you receive? Google seems to be the pinnacle of success in this area, and you will soon see why:
Sep
30
Best Explanation Of The Credit Crisis . . ever!
This 11 minute video by Jonathan Jarvis is one of the best explanations of a difficult to understand subject that I’ve ever seen OR read. You will want to use this in your homeschool! Check out Jonathan’s website for more videos that use modern media to explain complex subjects.
The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.
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