Raising Entrepreneurs

A lot of new things have happened.   First, I turned 13 yesterday so I’m officially a teenager but I really don’t see what the big deal is.   As far as my business goes, a few months ago I was selected as a winner of the Kohl’s Kids Who Care Scholarship Program and won a small college scholarship.   I was interviewed by Cornell University’s eClips program for their Department of Applied Economics and Management.  That was really fun because I’m now their youngest entrepreneur to be featured among thousands of other business people.

On November 1, (just 2 days ago), I was the featured Luminary on a website called Inspire Me Today (http://www.inspiremetoday.com/profile.php?id=358).  If you sign up on their website, you can also hear the audio interview.

Throughout the summer, I’ve been giving presentations to libraries and since school started, I’ve been talking at schools about my business.  Each class I speak to, the teacher usually has some specific topics they want me to reference in relation to what they are working on.  I’ve highlighted everything from consumers and producers to economics and finance.  Most recently, I talked to a 4th grade class.  They were reading a book about a young author so the teacher asked me to talk about the book I wrote with my mom called “ZWEEEBA” about my Pencil Bugs characters.

I plan to make it a series where each Pencil Bug has a special ability and in some way helps the main characters in the book.  Here’s a little preview:  In the first book, the main character, Benny, finds a strange bug outside one day and wants to learn more about it.  He doesn’t realize it has a very unique ability until his dog runs away one day and this amazing bug uses his special power to help Benny find his dog, Smooch. We are in the process of submitting it to agents and/or publishers.

I’ve been invited to Nairobi, Kenya by a company called Nurture Smart.  They started a program to teach kids there how to become entrepreneurs and more self-sufficient.  They want me to be a guest speaker and judge at their Young Entrepreneur Search camp and competition.  It looks like it will happen sometime next summer.  I am really excited about the opportunity to help other kids but it’s amazing that I’ll get to travel to Africa!

As you know, my parents and I have been hand-making Pencil Bugs since I started my business.  We have been working with several companies in the past six months to get them mass produced so I can expand my business into retail stores.

I also recently set up a Pencil Bugs Fundraising Program so schools, classes, or community groups can raise money by selling something unique and fun.

More products are now available with the Pencil Bugs characters and logo at my online store www.cafepress.com/pencilbugs.  There’s something for everyone from baby bibs and t-shirts to clocks, mugs, mouse pads, and even dog dishes and puppy shirts.

I was interviewed by a well-known author recently to be included in his book.  I’m sorry I can’t give more details just yet but it’s really exciting that now I’ll be in two books.

I’m hoping we can find a publisher for my Pencil Bugs series and then I’ll be a “well-known” author myself.

This year, I started a new program with Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.  I used some of my earnings to buy toys and activities and put together gift bags for children who are hospitalized.  It’s a good feeling to know I might make a kid not be quite so bored while they’re in the hospital.

What are your plans for the next few months?

What advice do you have for other kids who are thinking of starting a  business?