Raising Kids to be Entrepreneurs

Posted date:  October 6, 2011

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Upon reflecting on the recent demise of Apple’s iconic CEO Steve Jobs, I would like to discuss the topic of Entrepreneurialship within this world.  Steve Jobs was the epitome and definition of what it means to be an entrepreneur, and with the recent (and well-deserved) media attention on his passing, I think this is an appropriate time to dive deeper into this discussion.

Steve Jobs was an entrepreneur by nature.  He saw opportunity where it previously did not exist.  He changed the way we see, think, and respond to the world.  He challenged himself everyday to face his mortality and do something with his life.  For this dedication, we will always remember Steve Jobs as The Innovator — one who changed them all — and as the bridge between the worlds of technology and creativity.

But what does it mean to be an entrepreneur?  Cameron Herold, a world-wide reconized entrepreneur since childhood, has discussed how we are in desperate need to raise generations of kids that are oriented to seek out and create new opportunities.  In his lecture “Let’s Raise Kids to be Entrepreneurs,” Herold shares several of his early yet intelligent businesses opportunities with coat hangers, comic books, and golf balls.  It is the kids raised in this style of thinking that turn into game changers like Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Bill gates… the list goes on and on, but the point being these individuals are worldwide recognized for the efforts and dedications to pursuing new possibilities for all of humanity.

As Steve Jobs has challenged us to seek what is most important in our lives and settle for nothing less, I too challenge everyone reading this to chase after that crazy idea that never seems to go away.  No matter what you do, it won’t until you take action — and take that risk.

The world is in need of torch-holders.  Why not attempt to be the next?  We are already stripped down by life’s greatest invention: death.  Alas, there is nothing left to lose.

SW