My daughters each have the entrepreneurial bug. The older one (10 years old) has been asking me to let her go door to door offering to rake leaves for the last couple of years. My younger one (8 years old) has for the last 5 years discussed her desire to own a dance studio.
I fully support both of them.
But here's the problem...
I come from a long line of time card- punchers and have very little entrepreneurial experience myself. I have dabbled here and there in various business ideas, but the bug has not yet fully implanted itself into my pathetic, employee-minded brain.
So, how does a yes-man dad help his "I-call-the-shots" daughters pursue their self-employment dreams?
Below is a list of ideas and tips I think will help them.
1) Run with your idea
My kids have come up with a bunch of ideas for their own businesses - I bet if they ran with just one of them they'd succeed.
2) Stick with your idea
On the long list of qualities I hope my kids did not inherit from me it's my lack of "stick-to-it-ivness". I lack the ability to pick something and stick with it - Sometimes in business it's your ability to stay in it for the long run that helps you stand out from the competition.
3) Learn your idea
You don't have to be an expert in your business to be successful. One thing I've learned in all my jobs is that my employers were not experts. They knew enough to get by, stuck with it, ran with it, and figured the rest out as they went along. I don't think that's the best way to do it, but it is a way to do it.
4) Talk about your idea
If you're going to go into business for yourself, talk about it with everyone. Don't be afraid to tell people what you do. You never know who you're talking to and what opportunities might present themselves simply by telling people what you do.
5) Ask people to buy your idea
If there's value in what you offer people will give you money for your service/product. If you're afraid to ask for the sale you won't get the sale.
6) Have confidence in your idea
When people think you're not confident in you idea they will not be confident in your idea. If they aren't confident they won't buy. If they don't buy, you don't have a business.
7) Have fun with your idea
There are countless businesses to go into. But, which ones will make you happy. You've heard it said that if you do what you love you'll never work a day in your life. I think there's a lot of truth there. Work will always be work and there will always be aspects you don't like; but if you focus on what you love the inconveniences will be manageable and maybe even enjoyable.
8) Get support for you idea
As much as our dreams and ambitions will carry us through most of the trials and tribulations of entrepreneurial living, support from a variety of sources can be invaluable. Friends, family, investors - each can provide support in many different ways.
9) Evolve with your idea
Business changes every day - there's no stopping progress no matter what type of business you're in. You have to stay fresh and innovative. You don't have to keep reinventing the wheel, but you do have to improve upon it.
10) Don't be controlled by your idea
Going into business, from what I hear, is an amazing adventure. It can be challenging, difficult, rewarding and life-changing. All the being said; however, remain in control of it. Don't let it control you.
So there it is - I guess I'll call this
10 Things an Employee Dad Tells is Entrepreneurial Kids.
It's our job as parents to make sure our children do everything better than we did. We need to reflect upon our successes and failures and make necessary changes for the betterment of our children's lives. If you aren't trying to do this for your children then you have failed them already. I know this sounds harsh, but it's the truth. You owe it to them to share your successes and failures with them; to be honest and vulnerable with them.
Don't try to be the macho dad who walks around pretending he's got it all together - Everyone, including your children, sees right though that facade. Instead - Be honest with yourself and be honest with your kids. There's enough dishonesty in this world already - Don't add to it!
Now... Take this list and reflect upon it. Think about how it effects you and how your kids can benefit from it. Help them live the life you should have lived. Help them realize the success you didn't. Help them overcome mistakes by sharing with them your stories of trials and tribulations. Make changes in your life so they can make changes in their's. You'll both be better off.
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