Raising Entrepreneurs

Welcome back!

Columnist Don Crossley discovered first hand how the entrepreneurial spirit is being cultivated in our youth. He writes in his column in the Burlington Post:

As many of you know, I carry the label of being an entrepreneur having started up several businesses over the years.

I also taught various entrepreneur courses at Sheridan College for more than 25 years and so I was indeed delighted to be invited recently by our daughter, Laurel, to speak to her class of aspiring young entrepreneurs. These people are at school full time, after deciding to enroll in Laurel’s two week class which she refers to as summer camp and where having fun is part and parcel of each day’s activity.

When I hear the word “young”, I am thinking they are probably late 20s or early 30s. What a wonderful surprise to be able to speak to a group of young women in their early teens who are seriously thinking of heading in the direction of becoming an entrepreneur when they complete their schooling. They wanted to know more about the things they may run into and how to deal with them.

Their business ideas varied. One I think will probably come to fruition is a “girls only” magazine covering topics of interest to this age group, including tips on how to successfully handle the situation when your parents decide to divorce. Unfortunately, a lot of kids these days need this sort of help.

I was amazed at the enthusiasm of the group, and, based on the questions they were asking, they are very serious about becoming business people. We wish them the best of luck with their various endeavours.

Thanks to Laurel for coming up with this excellent idea. It would be my pleasure to speak to your next group when they meet with you in August.