Tag: teen business
Jul
27
Should Swearing Be Tolerated As a Christian Entrepreneur?
I don’t spend as much time on Twitter as I’d like, (but more than I should) and I have found some of the best resources there. Here’s a resource that @KentBeatty tweeted, and decided to pass it along as soon as I saw it, especially since it was only available free for a few more days. Swag Films is offering the documentary, “The Entrepreneur”, free until July 30. Appearing to be a perfect “Homeschool Entrepreneur” assignment, it is a full length movie documenting every detail that Mark Bricklin, founder of Subaru, goes through as he tries one more time to change the auto industry with a new start-up. He has the advantage of experience in the industry, along with contacts that would give anyone an edge. I find it touching that his own son is doing the documentary, which surely gave him entrance into areas of his father’s life not given to many.
However, I thought I should watch it through before recommending it (!) and am glad I did. While it gives a very realistic view of what really goes on behind the scenes in financing and moving forward with a start up of this magnitude, it also gives a birds-eye view AND earful of what it would be like to be an entrepreneur in the auto industry AND dealing with people that don’t share your convictions.
What do we allow our children to experience in the name of education?
The language in this movie will be very offensive to most Christians, so do you want to expose your teen to that? Christians are varied in their opinions of what they allow their children to be exposed to, and I refuse to judge the way that God has called you to raise your child. With 3 grown children, I have traveled down both roads, and have carefully observed both ways to work AND not work, so don’t let anyone except God make that decision for you.
Along with many different Christian viewpoints, all children are very, very different, and I have two boys that illustrate this perfectly. They are grown now, so I have the luxury of hindsight. Only 19 months apart, they were VERY active and ALL boy, yet were quite opposite in the way they responded to discipline. What worked very well for one, did not work for the other, and vice versa. While we all have a different parenting philosophy, none of us are willing to sacrifice our child’s heart for outward obedience. What I’m saying is that maybe the deciding factor in what we expose our children to largely depends on the child!
An excellent springboard for an ‘Integrity Talk’?
In the world of business, there are very few, if any, places free of any exposure to this type of language or other compromises in character. I don’t have to tell you that, and I’m sure you’ve already had discussions about language purity with your children. The ‘Integrity Talk’ I’m referring to is a little different and is one of the biggest advantages to teaching your teens about business while still living at home. Simply telling them not to use language like that, and punishing them when they do may work . . . until they grow up and move on.
Having non-judgemental talks about using language like that in the market-place and the reasons it’s not necessary is a good start. I think it could actually be more effective with some kids when discussed as a ‘business skill’ than addressing it in reference to their own or their friend’s behavior. Understanding the true value of integrity in business has wide reaching implications. Ask them who they would rather do business with and why? Granted, we can’t judge solely on outward appearance, but what about “out of the heart the mouth speaketh“? I’m sure you can take it from here.
Deciding when foul language needs to be addressed and helping them to find ways to communicate it tactfully is a critical business skill. Not having this skill developed ahead of time can put them in a very awkward, if not complacent, position. Maybe you will choose to tolerate some language in the marketplace, yet never tolerate listening to the Lord’s name being taken in vain. This is a subject that is very individual, yet one every Christian family should address. Let’s call it our “Language Contingency Plan”!
Age and maturity is a given factor in deciding whether to deliberately expose teens to undesirable behaviors, but what do you think? You know they will encounter it at some point, do we just let them figure it out as they go along? Have you spoken to your children about these issues, and do you have any tips for others who are just entering that phase of life?
Dec
12
Helping Your Teen Start Their Own Business
Homeschooling has many advantages, especially when planning a high school curriculum. Meeting your state’s requirements, of course, is your first priority, but many people don’t realize how flexible those requirements are. I love the flexibility of gearing courses towards what my children are gifted in, not only because they enjoy it more (thus more cooperative), but we’ve stumbled on things they were interested in, too. Force feeding some subjects of course, can turn out good, too.
How many kids go kicking and screaming to their first music lesson only to discover music as a love of their life? My son resisted learning how to present speeches, only to discover he has a natural talent with giving speeches, and now enjoys it! I’m sure you have examples in your home. We never had any trouble encouraging our children to start a business, they liked making money. However, if it’s a “class” you offer as part of their school, you may discover they have a real knack for business.
No matter how you look at it, it’s a skill that will serve them for the rest of their lives. They will learn that at any point in their life, out of necessity or desire, that starting a business is very possible, and will know the basics that they need to consider before taking the plunge. A recent poll of high school students showed that 70% wanted to have their own business someday, but 90% of those had no idea how to start.
There are two common misconceptions about starting a small business. The first one being that starting a business is difficult, and the second is that it’s very simple. In a sense, both ideas are correct, it is relatively simple for anyone to start a business, but it’s difficult to make it work. This is why we believe entrepreneurship should be required in high school. Knowing exactly what it takes to start and successfully run a business helps anyone know that it’s very possible, yet have the tools necessary to make it work. The reason over one half of new businesses fail within 4 years is usually lack of good business techniques. It’s really not surprising that many new entrepreneurs go into business without knowing some of the most important business and financial basics. Be sure your child goes into life fully equipped.
That’s why as a homeschool parent, the freedom to incorporate an entrepreneur class in your curriculum is one of the best tools you could give your teen! So, I’ve had several requests to start a series on teaching our teens how to start a business, and that’s what we are going to do! If you have anything in particular you want us to cover, email us!
till tomorrow…Debbie
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