Tag: Business Resources
Jul
28
“Teach Them While They Are Young” -Inc Mag’s Revitalization Program
When I received the July/August 2010 issue of Inc Magazine, I could hardly contain the excitement when I read their feature article, “Bring On The Entrepreneurs! Our highly practical, eminently doable, totally reasonable plan to revitalize the American dream and create thousands (upon thousands) of new companies and millions of new jobs”. Why the excitement? (other than being a total business-geek) While I thought all the ideas in their plan to revitalize America via entrepreneurism (there’s a new word for Wiki…) had value, I was ecstatic when I read that two of the ideas at the forefront of their plan involved entrepreneurial education.
For those of you new to the site, Homeschool Entrepreneur started with a dream of seeing entrepreneurial education as a required part of every balanced educational program. As a veteran homeschool parent, naturally I saw the homeschool environment as an ideal springboard for this ‘out of the box’ idea. The flexibility of homeschooling coupled with the progressive nature of most that embrace this alternative educational environment, seemed to be a perfect fit. I was sure others like myself would see the benefits. What I didn’t realize was it turned out to be an idea before it’s time. Inc’s article encouraged me that maybe that time is finally here. Now, that’s exciting!
Education, much like religion, is fraught with tradition. Many homeschool parents will tell you they have had a hard time breaking away from the traditional model of “school” and ended up simply doing ‘public school at home’ – especially at the beginning. I’m not saying that is a bad thing, but when the true nature of homeschooling is embraced, the experience is so much richer. Likewise, entrepreneurial education has yet to break out of it’s stereotype and become the educational tool it can truly be. (more on that soon!)
Maybe, just maybe, the understanding that entrepreneurial education isn’t just for business geeks has finally made it to the big presses. Inc Magazine is one of the first I’ve seen to embrace this possibility. I’m not talking about those that deal directly with entrepreneurial education like The Kaufman Foundation and our own Homeschool Entrepreneur. The number of college-level entrepreneurial programs has certainly increased substantially, as well as a sprinkling of high school level programs. However, it’s still considered education solely for the imminent start-up. Think of all the courses you have had to take throughout high school and college that had nothing whatsoever to do with what you were aspiring to do in life. All in the name of a balanced education. Somewhere along the line the entrepreneurial mindset was completely washed out.
Several years ago it was the chatter among entrepreneurs and some economists that small business would be the key to America’s economic recovery. So, why hasn’t America quite recovered yet? I think Inc’s Reviltalization Plan included a few statistics that might shed a little light on why the power of free enterprise hasn’t quite lifted us out yet.
Why entrepreneurs have not pulled us out . . . yet:
A quote from this Inc Magazine special report:
Young companies — those younger than six years old — provide the bulk of new jobs; in 2007, they accounted for 64 percent of them, according to a 2009 survey by the Kauffman Foundation that looked at start-up formation since the 1970s. (italics ours)
. . . Unfortunately, creating new companies is easier said than done. The rate of business creation has remained stubbornly constant over the years. Since the early 1990s, the number of start-ups has hovered at about 500,000 a year, according to a survey by the Kauffman Foundation. This has been the case during booms and busts, whether taxes were rising or falling, and whether venture capitalists were irrationally exuberant or largely recalcitrant.
“Clearly, some new thinking is required.”
OK, so what is this new thinking? It’s proven out that increasing the availability of entrepreneurship courses in universities has had no effect. The fact that the increase of schools offering relevant courses from 500 in the 1970′s to over 2000 schools in 2005 resulted in little or no increase in the number of start-ups speaks for itself. What Inc did point out were two programs that offer hands on training that are making an impact: The Launch Pad at the University of Miami and MIT’s Entrepreneurship Center.
Simply offering more practical training is only part of the solution to this ‘new thinking’ to encourage business start-ups, but I believe Inc hit on something that even they may not realize the impact of – Get them while they are young.
Finding the Bill Gates of the sixth grade?
Inc’s report targeted middle school aged students as the ideal age group to teach entrepreneurial principles. Personally, I think the younger the better, while appropriately increasing the level of education as the child grows. While Inc’s ideal is to find the Bill Gates of the sixth grade, I think we need to find the hidden gold in each of our children at the earliest possible age. Creating real life work scenerios in the form of mock or real business as educational projects can reveal a child’s inner talents faster than any other extracurricular activity. Why? Because the rewards of such activities are very real, measurable, and are directly related to what they see in their everyday life. A boy may love cars, but how does he translate into productive, real life work?
Inc’s bottom line on educating young entrepreneurs:
“Putting ideas into action may be the biggest challenge for entrepreneurs. Teaching youngsters how to do it is among the best investments we can make.”
Homeschool Entrepreneur’s bottom line:
Making practical entrepreneurial education a relevant part of every child’s education from a young age does much more than teach them how to create a new business. It provides children with an understanding of how the economy actually works, because every job either involves running a business, or working for someone that does. Would it make a difference if everyone understood how business success or failure affects everyone, especially our economy? We study history to learn from the past to avoid repeating historic mistakes. To study entrepreneurship in the same manner will encourage a new mindset – a mindset that is mindful of building America’s economy by either building strong businesses that create good jobs, or being an employee that does the best they can to help their company grow resulting from the belief that their contribution really does make a difference. Entrepreneurship education isn’t just for business owners, because a strong economy also relies on good employees supporting those businesses. When everyone understands what is at stake, some ‘new thinking’ will naturally take place. Then, if a time comes that anyone wants to start a business, they will know exactly where to start and success will be much more likely. Replacing the ‘worker bee’ mentality with a dedicated attitude towards success. Creation of business incubators, launch pads and practical start-up resources will be encouraged and common place, easy to find, and a valid tax deduction. The knowledge void that currently plagues many would-be entrepreneurs will be a thing of the past.
Please read the entire article on Inc’s Revitalization Plan. I realize I was a little biased by only elaborating on the educational aspects. Their take on providing more practical tools to encourage start-ups are inspirational. Matching ideas and investors, tax incentives to help all involved, and wait till you read about the TechShop in Menlo Park, California. We could use one of those in every major US city. Let me know what you think of the article, and your ideas about how we can start teaching our children now how they can impact our economy by thinking entrepreneurially.
Oct
09
Business Plan For Start-Ups Template
SCORE has a wealth of information for start ups, this site is a must for new, AND old, businesses! This link alone- http://www.score.org/template_gallery.html -
has the templates for a Business Plan, a Balance Sheet, Start-Up Expense Sheet, a Break Even Analysis, and more.
Score also provides mentors that you can connect with in person, on the phone, or online. There is no charge, so what’s stopping you? SCORE.org
More From HomeschoolEntrepreneur
Oct
04
Eating Local Makes Good Business!
The eating local movement is really good news for homeschool entrepreneurs. If you haven’t heard of the eating local movement, it’s basically a grassroots movement to buy your food as close to home as possible. It’s currently estimated that the average meal travels 1500 miles to get to your table, which translates to a lot of gas! As for the environmental impact, it’s a no brainer. A study at Cornell University actually stated that if Americans ate local and reduced their junk food consumption (which requires more than average processing and packaging) we could reduce our oil consumption by 50%! It takes an estimated 500 gallons of oil to produce and transport food per person, so if everybody in the US ate local just ONE day per week, that translates into a reduction in oil usage of 21 BILLION gallons per year. Do you think that would make a difference?
The “Five is fine, but nine is divine” fruit and vegetable quota is toted as a ticket to good health, but buying that produce locally would bring countless other benefits to your local economy! Did I mention that homegrown food tastes better? Oh, you know that already! I know that many homeschool families already grow their own food, and are more than aware of the health benefits, but have you thought about the BUSINESS benefits to this ‘eat local’ movement?
I’ve never seen any statistics gathered on homeschool families and exactly how many live on a farm, or have a sizeable garden, but my guess is a very high percentage do….or would like to. Starting a CSA is a little more complicated of an effort (though VERY doable), but selling at a farmer’s market is relatively simple. I’ve listed several places to find a farmer’s market in your area at the end of this post.
What if you don’t have a place to farm or garden? You could organize a farmer’s market, or help coop several smaller growers into a group effort, or make or bake a great food item from locally purchased food. Jams, jellies, breads, even herbal remedies and teas all go well at the farmer’s market. Start planning now because the projections are for next year to be a record breaker for local farmer’s markets!
What can you do now? If you have some land you haven’t planted, till it under and plant a cover crop-if you aren’t too far north, you still have time. Contact your AG center for good cover crops in your area, and a nearby farmer might help you out with plowing the land if you don’t have the equipment. You can also get a wealth of information from your county extension agent about the best crops to grow, how to make jams and much, much more. Calling the contact person of your local farmer’s market would be wise if you’re not sure what to offer. They can tell you what items are in demand, and which are over-supplied! They can also tell you what you need to do if you are planning on joining their market next year.
I’m really excited about this “Eat Local” movement, I believe that it is bringing hope to the family farm and to families that would like to have a self-sustaining lifestyle. Most of all, it’s opening a new area of business possibilities to the homeschool family, and everyone will be healthier for it!
Here’s some resources to get you started:
The Eat Well Guide is a free online directory of sustainably raised meat, poultry, dairy, and eggs from farms, stores, restaurants, inns, and hotels, and online outlets in the United States and Canada.
Food Routes.com Plan your next trip with stops at all the best LOCAL food stops! On their interactive map, you can find a listing for local farmers, CSA’s, and markets near you.
http://www.localharvest.org/ This website will help you find farmers’ markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably-grown food in your area, where you can buy produce, grass-fed meats, and many other goodies.
Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA)
www.buylocalfood.com
CISA is dedicated to sustaining agriculture and promoting the products of small farms.
Chicago’s Green City Market Chicago’s only sustainable market with the highest quality locally farmed products
Usda.gov has a WholesaleandFarmersMarkets page – fantastic resource!
photo credit: jwalsh
More From HomeschoolEntrepreneur
Sep
25
Is a Disaster a Blessing, Or a Curse?
The following is an excellent story I (stole) from 48 Days to the Work You Love, which I have been meaning to review for ages. It’s an amazing resource/ministry that encourages and helps those that want to change their work situations. So many people are miserable at their jobs, but are either too afraid to make a change, or don’t know where to start. Dan Miller at 48 Days addresses both and offers some of the best helps on the market to do so.
We discovered 48 Days in their early years as a result of a Dave Ramsey consult. Shortly after our personal disaster (which God worked out for good), we were encouraged by the Ramsey Group to take a look at what Dan Miller offered and well… as they say, ‘The rest is history!’ I fell in love with what they were doing and wanted to do something similar, to help others like ourselves that wanted to work at home. The seed for our Homeschool-Entrepreneur.com vision was born, but did not take form for many years later.
I have read almost every newsletter Dan Miller has sent out for the last 6+ years. It’s always been brief (who has time for a long newsletter?), encouraging, uplifting, and I have printed out and saved several for the impact it had. I promise, you’ll love it. Sign up for the newsletter at 48days.com. I also highly recommend his Personality Profile for your graduating junior or senior.
Here’s a story that came from this week’s newsletter, for all the millions of people that have suffered disaster-because…’what the enemy intended for evil, the Lord works out for His good‘:
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Once there was an old man who lived in a tiny village. Although poor, he was envied by all, because he owned a beautiful white horse. People offered fabulous prices for the horse, but the old man always refused. “This horse is a friend, not a possession,” he would respond.
One morning the horse was not in the stable. All the villagers said, “You old fool. We told you someone would steal that beautiful horse. You could at least have gotten the money. Now the horse is gone, and you’ve been cursed with misfortune.”
The old man responded, “Perhaps. All I know is that my horse is gone; the rest I do not know. Whether it be a curse or a blessing, I can’t say.”
After fifteen days the horse returned. He hadn’t been stolen; he had run away into the forest. Not only had he returned, he had brought a dozen wild horses back with him. Once again the village people gathered around the old man and said, “You were right – what we thought was a curse was a blessing. Please forgive us.” The old man responded, “Perhaps. Once again you’ve gone too far. How do you know if this is a blessing or a curse? Unless you can see the whole story, how can you judge?” But the people could only see the obvious. The old man now had twelve additional horses that could be broken and sold for a great deal of money.
The old man had a son, an only son. He began to break the wild horses. Unfortunately, after just a few days, he fell from a horse and broke both his legs. Once again the villagers gathered around the old man and said, “You were right. The wild horses were not a blessing; they were a curse. Your only son has broken his legs and now in your old age you have no one to help you. You are poorer than ever.” But the old man said, “Perhaps. Don’t go so far. Say only that my son broke his legs. We have only a fragment of the whole story.”
It so happened that a few weeks later the country went to war with a neighboring country. All the young men of the village were required to join the army. Only the son of the old man was excluded, because he had two broken legs. Once again the people gathered around, crying because there was little chance their sons would return. “You were right, old man. Your son’s accident was a blessing. Our sons are gone forever.”
The old man spoke again. “You people are always quick to jump to conclusions. Only God knows the final story.”
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And so it is with our lives. What we see as a blessing or a curse may simply be part of God’s preparation for what lies ahead. Be careful in seeing “disaster” in any change. Just recognize it as change – which opens the door for good as well as bad – for gain as well as possible loss. (comment is from Dan Miller)
Be blessed. Bob & Debbie, Homeschool-Entrepreneur.com
Sep
20
Powerhouse PR Source From Solo-e.com!
Twitter has proved itself to be a fantastic place to meet people and find some really great friends, info, websites, and well….STUFF! I can’t believe I actually thought it was stup…..uh, trivial when I first started! (Thank you, Jeremy Palmer for getting me started!) In the last few weeks, I have had so many great people “add” me that I would probably never have discovered otherwise. One of those people is Terri Z (short for Zwierzynski) of Solo-e.com, a resource and training clearing house for entrepreneurs. The sheer amount of well organized information available for the entrepreneur at Solo-e.com is staggering, and a gold mine for any small business person! It’s a MUST bookmark.
One of my finds at Solo-e was a powerhouse PR source that you will be sure to find some publicity from, It’s called “Haro” (Help A Reporter Out) and is powered by the powerhouse of PR himself, Peter Shankman. It’s a free service (I’m sure it’s serving him well with large amounts of traffic!) he offers both to help entrepreneurs find some free publicity and news reporters find the stories they need. Sign up on his email list and he will email you several times a day listing all the requests he receives from the press for storylines. How great is that?
Sign up for Haro here: http://helpareporter.com/
Check out Solo-e.com
Add Terri Z on twitter! http://twitter.com/terrizsoloceo
Add Homeschool-Entrepreneur (that’s us…) on twitter: http://twitter.com/homeschoolbiz
Welcome to Homeschool Entrepreneur!
Equip your children with a life skill that will stay and grow in them forever. Business training in the home not only creates a natural learning environment for any age. The "Family Business" draws families together and provides opportunity for discussions you won't find in any book . . and the extra money comes in handy, too!
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