written by Shae Bynes, Founder of ChasingYourFreedom.com
This mom has a huge smile on her face right now. My 11 year old daughter made her first sale online yesterday AND she is unveiling her blog today to the public –> AnisaSellsYourStuff.com . Her blog is essentially the story of her first business. She is sharing her adventures as well as providing helpful tips (her lessons learned) for other kids who want to start a business.
One of the things you may not know about me is that I have a real passion for working with young people when it comes to helping them figure out how money works and encouraging entrepreneurship as soon as possible. On the first Saturday of each month, I lead a Financially Fit workshop for preteens and teens at our church. During Spring Break last month, I had the honor of teaching two days of the Billionaire’s Club (an initiative started by a friend of mine) and taught 10-13 year olds on stewardship and entrepreneurship. It was so much fun!
So you can imagine the joy and pride I feel as Anisa’s mom today. She’s excited, but I think I’m five times as excited because I know that the seeds we’re planting now are going to make a significant difference for her future. My ultimate goal with this is to show my daughter that she has the God-given ability to CREATE. She has value to provide to others (even in the marketplace). She doesn’t have to feel limited by a paycheck that an employer decides to give her. She can be a producer and not just a consumer. She has OPTIONS.
Icing On The Cake
I shared with Anisa last night at bedtime that making $1000 (her first business goal) is really just the icing on the cake. We only started on April 4 and she’s already learning:
- the importance of having a value statement (“What’s in it for me?”)
- storytelling skills (incredibly important in business) by blogging
- how to communicate more effectively and professionally (calls with customers, sending emails, and recording video blogs)
- how to build a subscribers list (you’ll see an opt-in form on her blog!)
- the difference between gross profits and net profits and the importance of tracking expenses
- the challenge of balancing school work, play time, and business (this is HER side hustle!)
- the importance of re-investing some of your profits into the growth of your business
- affiliate marketing (she’s recommending some awesome books on her blog as an Amazon.com affiliate)
The funniest thing was that my youngest daughter Nia (3 years old) has been observing over the last few weeks and asked me last night, “Mommy, when I turn 4, can I sell shoes? Oh, and purses and lipsticks?” I’m telling you, children are so smart and they pick up on everything!
If you have young children or teenagers, get them involved with what you’re doing. While you’re working on that side hustle, keep them in the know. Tell them what you’re doing and why. Let them help in whatever way they can. Let them know that they can have freedom and live a life focused more on their purpose and less on their paychecks.
Some Inspiring Videos of Kids and Teens Making It Happen!
I thought I’d leave you with a couple YouTube videos that I shared with the kids in the Billionaire’s Club and they found them very inspiring! There’s no limit to what young people can do with the support and encouragement of the adults (not just parents) in their lives. Enjoy!
Maddie Bradshaw — age 15 and already a millionaire!!
AJ’s Hawaiian Iceez
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Well done ladies!!!!!! Go go gooooo!
Thanks Sherri!
Great job, love it!
Thanks Lo! Hey girl, where’s your gravatar?? Time to get one -> http://en.gravatar.com/
Shae I feel your pride! Go Anisa!
This is so awesome and inspires me to do the same thing with my own daughters. Even though they are young adult, they can still benefit from these important lessons.
You and Phil did, and are doing an excellent job as parents. Kudos!
Thank you, Bill! I agree 100% with what you said about your own daughters. Depending on personality type, you may be more successful focusing on helping them do something that they are excited about rather than engaging them with what you are doing.
For example, Nia couldn’t care less about what I do. If it’s not fashion, shoes, make-up, etc. I’m not going to keep her attention for long. She’s highly outspoken and does things her own way. I realize she’s only 3, but I already know that’s how she is going to be…period.
Anisa is more quiet and observant….and is interested in knowing more about how things work in general and then following a blueprint. Her “passion” is cupcakes…but rather than hound me about building a business with cupcakes she is willing to start with something different and learn business fundamentals. Then she can use some of that money for baking classes and learning from the gourmet cupcake experts since she doesn’t have skills in that area now.
As always I am inspired. Love this post!
Thanks Shawn!
Awesome Shae! Every momprenuer needs to instill the same entrepreneurial spirit in their children like this.
Very impressed!
Amen – thanks Maria!
Way to go, Anisa! And high-five to you and Phil!
Thanks Kelly!
Shae, you and Anisa are great inspirations!! Give Anisa a big hug from me because I am going to plug my nieces & nephews into her blog and challenge them to create a business this Summer!!! **You are doing it RIGHT!**
Stephanie, I am SO glad you’re going to get your nieces and nephews plugged in and challenge them to start a business. That’s what this is all about! Inspiring more grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, and kids!
Don’t forget tithing to what feeds her spirit. Might be your teen organization. Congrats. You are both my sheros.
Hey Melanie! She wants to support our children’s ministry at church, so she’ll be tithing specifically for that. She also has an interest in feeding the homeless, so I need to get her plugged into something. Thanks for the comment!
ANISA I’M SO PROUD OF YOU!!! KEEP IT UP!!!
Anisa says thanks!
Shae, I think this is just wonderful! I love it! Great idea. May God Bless you and your daughter’s business ventur’s!
Thank you so much!
Shae,
Thanks for sharing your daughters website. My nephew is 10 and always asking me how he can start a business. I’m sending him the link to Anisa’s website. He will love it! This will give him a great project over the summer to start his own business.
Thank you,
Cathy
That’s great! I hope he enjoys it and is inspired to get going on his own business. I agree it will be great to do over the summer…I expect to see Anisa’s business grow leaps and bounds over the summer when she has more time to work on it!
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