How to Teach Your Children Entrepreneurial Skills

Use your professional world as a classroom for your children — without disrupting your workflow.

They say there’s no education quite as valuable as the school of life, and as an entrepreneur, you already know how true that is. Each step of the entrepreneurial process is a valuable learning opportunity, but you’re not the only one who can learn from this crazy ride! Seeing as you’re the boss, you have the rare opportunity to make this a fun, hands on learning experience for your children as well.

Problem Solve and Brainstorm with Your Kids

As an entrepreneur, you’re no stranger to problem solving and brainstorming. Grab a whiteboard and let your children take part in the process. You never know — your kids just might help you come up with the next Jibbitz!

Teach Your Child the Tech Stuff

Expensify. Asana. Invision. As an entrepreneur, you probably use a variety of apps and programs to run your business. Teaching your kids how to navigate and use tech products is an easy and accessible crash course in entrepreneurship 101. In Asana, you can set up small tasks for child or in Invision, ask your child to give feedback on designs. Note: reserve these tools for older children.

Expose your children to your world of work at an early age.

Bring the Kids on Field Trips

Whether you’re sourcing a new product or scouting out a new office, sometimes you can bring your kids along. Make sure to use your own discretion to decide when it’s appropriate to tow the kids and when you should leave them at home.

Work in Front of Your Kids

When you bring your work home, your kids will naturally be inquisitive. Sometimes you may have to say, “Mommy/Daddy’s busy right now” but don’t make that your default answer every time. Let your kids observe and ask questions. Often times, I’ll explain an issue I’m having and they’ll come up with a simple solution that works!

Share your Failures

It may be tempting to only share your successes and triumphs with your child. By doing that, you aren’t giving your child a realistic understanding of what it means to be an entrepreneur. When things don’t seem to work out the way you planned, talk about it with your kids over dinner. Remember — tone and approach is everything. This isn’t a time for you to unload or burden your child with your worries; it’s simply a time to help your children learn that everyone fails from time to time — even you.