Sarah: When did you notice that your daughter was interested in making money and being a kid in business?
Evelyn: Actually, what I noticed first was creativity, innovation, and leadership. When Leah was four she, removed some of the stuffing in our couch pillows to create a snow scene! Also, she loved to study catalogs and magazines beginning at a young age. She had a great sense of design and enjoyed illustrating and photography. Then she discovered story writing and the computer. She created a Family Magazine and Cousin Club Newsletter. She started a Girls Book Club. She proposed a fundraising project to her local library. All these skills and experiences led to her entrepreneurial pursuit at age thirteen.
Sarah: Did you know everything you needed to know to create business success for kids and if not how did you find mentors or go about introducing him/her to mentors?
Evelyn: When Leah started the magazine, I didn’t even know the word, “social network”. Facebook didn’t exist. I knew very little about starting business, but I did have experience with my own freelance writing and consulting work. I learned right along with Leah.
Sarah: What do you think is the best way to support kids in starting a business – what did you do to support Leah along the way?
Evelyn: Help your child to make the connections they need in business. Show your child that you take her seriously.
Sarah: How did you help your CEO Kid stay balanced in all the other things they are doing in life?
Evelyn: We set limits on Internet use when Leah was an young teen otherwise she’d be working into the night. Her business requires a lot of sitting, so we encouraged her to engage in physical exercise.
Sarah: What role besides that of parent did you play in her business?
Evelyn: As a Mom I am: Chauffeur, Editor, Problem-solver, Listener, Publicity Manager, Biggest Fan and Dad is Technical Support. Leah’s younger sister began writing for Yaldah Magazine and serving as Subscriptions Manager/Customer Service Rep at age 12.
Sarah: What are some of the challenges that you see in helping kids start a business or what were some of the challenges you faced in helping her become the success she is today?
Evelyn: Starting the business can be exciting. What is challenging is the future: will it succeed, grow, bomb? I had no idea that I would later become so involved with my daughters enterprise. A parent is usually the CEO Kid’s biggest fan/supporter and it goes without saying that Mom and or Dad will end up helping to put out fires and handling the extra work due to unexpected growth (hopefully!). I often feel torn between helping my daughter and growing my own writing career. So, I would suggest early on, or at least if things get busy, that you establish a larger team or network so that everything doesn’t fall on your shoulders (and your kid’s).
Sarah: Is there anything you would have done differently that you would be willing to share with other parents of CEO Kids or kids who want to start businesses?
Evelyn: Yes, I would have sought out professional business and financial advice from the beginning instead of trying to learn it along the way.
Sarah: Share your TOP 3 – 5 tips that every parent of a CEO Kid should implement.
Evelyn:
- A weekly or monthly CEO Kid/family business meeting
- Teach your CEO Kid about finances. Don’t do all the banking/bookkeeping for her.
- 3. Insist on some sort of fun, regular physical activity. CEO Kids can become singularly focused, overworked, and sedentary kids.
Sarah: If you could have had resources available to helping kids starting a business or in helping you raise a CEO Kid, what would you have wanted?
Evelyn: I would have loved to have your book!
Sarah: That’s awesome! We love to hear that our book makes a difference for families! 
Comments are closed.