Books for Children about Entrepreneurship
Books for Children about Entrepreneurship
Down to Business: 51 Industry Leaders Share Practical Advice on How to Become a Young Entrepreneur
I had the pleasure if interviewing two young entrepreneurs who can now add ‘author’ to their list of incredible skills.
I ask questions about their motivation to write such a book because, for me, books geared to youth about becoming an entrepreneur are either a little too childish, or the ideas are beyond their grasp. I don’t mean conceptually, but more practically speaking. They simply cannot do it at their age. The advice is out of their reach, usually around access to capital. So most advice falls short before the child or teen can even envision an opportunity.
So I was pleasantly surprised at the angle this book takes. Specifically the word ‘practical’ in the title. How practical, exactly? Is it useful advice or adults waxing poetic about overcoming difficult obstacles or persevering through the many failures along the way? Not saying this isn’t good advice, it’s just not that practical when a young person needs the details. They need some steps.
Therefore, when Jason and Fenley pose their questions to these entrepreneurs it is from their point of view. And I believe that is the secret. It is a key foundational concept in my program: let the child guide the teaching. What do they need to know to be successful? Why not start with asking them?
The conversation ends with their advice for educators on how to use the book in their own entrepreneurship education programs.
Have a listen (apologies for the audio differences)
On Sale March 5th!
Check out their publisher page with Penguin Random House. Available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indigo (Canada), Target, Walmart, Bookshop.org, Books A Million, Hudson Booksellers and Powell’s.
Website: https://www.down2biz.net/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/downtobusinessbook/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/down-to-business-book/
Here’s the book summary:
“Fifteen-year-olds (now 16) Fenley Scurlock and Jason Liaw had both started businesses by the time they'd reached middle school. In this groundbreaking book, these young entrepreneurs interview leaders involved with brand-name businesses like MasterClass, Hallmark, IKEA, Parachute, and more.
They ask questions every burgeoning exec wants to know: How can I get started? Is college worth it? What skills do I need? How did YOU make it big?
In a book that's unlike any book out there--for kid or adult entrepreneurs--Fenley and Jason give readers access to leading innovators, inventors, and executives as they tell their stories and provide tips to a new generation of bosses.”
Here are their bios:
“Fenley Scurlock and Jason Liaw are teen entrepreneurs and lifelong friends. Fenley is a student at Stanford Online High School. Jason is a student in the Science, Math, Computer Science (SMCS) magnet program at Poolesville High School in Maryland, and a three-time class president.
Fenley has run a business making artisanal soaps and pens since he was seven; he sells at farmer’s markets, in his online store, and at kids’ business fairs. He has won multiple business, sales, and marketing awards, and has been interviewed by Fast Company, Kids 2 Market, and local media outlets.
Jason launched his first business at age eleven building and maintaining websites for a local chamber of commerce. He is the president of his school's entrepreneurship club and won first place for a financial literacy project in a 2022 DECA state competition. As an ABC (American-Born Chinese), Jason navigates the world in two languages.”