Brett Wells

brettonthenet.com

Brett Wells got his entrepreneurial start at the age of ten when he opened Brett’s Snack Shack to provide snacks, drinks, and even painted rocks to the neighbors. He turned a tidy profit and even made it a point to donate to his favorite charity, Save the Manatees.

Now a teenager, Brett is learning about Internet marketing and social media and hopes to parlay his newfound skills to future online business ventures.

You can read about Brett and over 130 other young entrepreneurs in, The Parents’ Guide to Raising CEO Kids. Hundreds of people around the world have read and loved reading, The Parents’ Guide to Raising CEO Kids, your signed copy can be shipped out TODAY!

Helping Your Kids Face Their Fears!

I never would have guessed that my daughter would be on TV! Eighteen months ago, Clarissa was TERRIFIED to make phone calls or talk in public… so TV was absolutely out of the question.

Kids facing their fears!… Click here to read more!

Interview with Entrepreneur & Fitness Trainer, Hamid Castro

Sarah:  Please tell me, how you got started and where other kids starting a business and parents can find out more info about you. (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, website)

Hamid:  I started my company when I was an athlete growing up. I always enjoyed fitness and was big on convenience. I felt one on one training was the best way to see optimal results. I have a Facebook and twitter page. www.facebook.com/castrofitness and www.twitter.com/castrofitness.

To read the rest of Hamid’s story, click here!

Is There an Answer for Back Talk?

“Don’t you dare talk to me that way!” Have you ever said that to your kids?

Have they responded kind of like this picture?

When a child is being verbally disrespectful, or as we called it in our home, “emotionally biting” someone, a parent’s defensive wall goes up and she screams right back! Most parents who are having loud, ugly words screamed at them would react.

Click here to learn more about back talking!

Interview with Mrs. Jones, Mom of Young Entrepreneur Emma Jones

Sarah:  When did you notice that your daughter was interested in making money and a CEO kid?

Mrs. Jones:  From an early age Emma was very competent at using sites like Amazon to trade items to fund newer purchases. It was around the age of 14 that she began to develop her own brand and ideas.

Want to read more about Emma and her mom? Click HERE!

Consciousness Increases Your Quality of Life

The beginning of the year is very symbolic for changing the things we want more or less of in our lives. 

For most individuals, this is one of the most conscious times of the year.  People make New Year resolutions. Many families create plans together.

Click here, to read the rest of the article!

Meet the CEO Kids Featured in The Parents’ Guide to Raising CEO Kids: Brett Wells

Brett Wells: brettonthenet.com

Brett Wells got his entrepreneurial start at the age of ten when he opened Brett’s Snack Shack to provide snacks, drinks, and even painted rocks to the neighbors. He turned a tidy profit and even made it a point to donate to his favorite charity, Save the Manatees.

Now a teenager, Brett is learning about Internet marketing and social media and hopes to parlay his newfound skills to future online business ventures.

For more about Brett Wells, click here!

 It was so fun to be on Sacramento and Co this week!

Here’s a FREEBIE for you that I talked about on the show!

Did you know one of the CEO Kids featured in “The Parents’ Guide to Raising CEO Kids” used their business to get a FREE ride to college and that Clarkston University is doing a contest RIGHT NOW to give away more college funding to talented young entrepreneurs! Take a look!!

The beginning of the year is very symbolic for changing the things we want more or less of in our lives. 

For most individuals, this is one of the most conscious times of the year.  People make New Year resolutions. Many families create plans together.

I’ve already created a personal mantra for myself to ensure that I increase my own quality of life.

My personal mantra states, “Every minute is a miracle.” I am using this mantra as a reminder that the 1,440 minutes in a day that I am privileged to have, are to be spent wisely. An hour of my time may include: spending meaningful time with my nephew, reading  or teaching children how to manage money.

What’s your personal mantra? What does an increased quality of life mean for you?

Now, quality of life does not only include money. Making conscious decisions about the foods that you eat also impacts your quality of life. There is a saying, “Your health is your greatest wealth.” This saying is totally true!

Here are some steps to ensure that the quality of life for your family is increased every day: 

1. Set a Family Quality of Life Plan.
2. Identify a holistic “WHY” for the family. Why is it important to make these changes to increase our quality of life? Health, Finances, Space, Time, Play etc.,
3. Schedule dates on a calendar for the family to revisit the plan once a month. The best proven method for success is to analyze, strategize and then take ACTION!  Revisiting the family plan gives you a quick opportunity to get back on track.
4. Once a week, each family member should do something nice for themselves as well as for another member of the family that does not involve spending money. Self-love and love of others is so important.

Help your CEO kid, by showing them that by making large or small changes their quality of life increases and increasing the consciousness of your family will definitely lead to savvier financial choices.

Until next time,

Be Conscious and remember, “Every minute is a miracle!”

Sarah:  When did you notice that your daughter was interested in making money and a CEO kid?

Mrs. Jones:  From an early age Emma was very competent at using sites like Amazon to trade items to fund newer purchases. It was around the age of 14 that she began to develop her own brand and ideas.

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 her to mentors?

Mrs. Jones:  Emma did not ask for help and has developed her knowledge and understanding through her own initiative.

Sarah: Are you or your spouse in business and if so – do you think that has given you an edge in raising a kid in business or CEO Kid?

Mrs. Jones:  Neither my husband nor I are in business, I am a teacher and my husband is a lawyer.

Sarah:  What role besides that of parent do you/did you play in her business?

Mrs. Jones:  Emma uses me as a sounding board sometimes for her ideas.

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?

Mrs. Jones:  The biggest challenge is ensuring that they stay focused on school as although they may never need the formal qualifications it is important that they have them as back up.

Sarah:  Share your TOP 3 – 5 tips that every parent of a CEO Kid should implement.

Mrs. Jones:  TOP 3 tips:

Be supportive, even if their decisions may be different to yours: people learn by mistakes.
Be prepared to listen and not comment.
Keep a balance in their life.

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?

Mrs. Jones:  Someone to mentor on the business side!

We’re happy to be on Sacramento and Company again!

Here’s what we’ll be covering on this week’s segment:

With business supers stars like Bill Gates, Mark Zukerberg and the late Steve Jobs that dropped out of college, do kids needs to go to college?

Kids featured in “The Parents’ Guide to Raising CEO Kids” that used their business to get a FREE ride to college!

DEEP or WIDE with extra-curricular activities?

Keeping everything straight for college applications….

AND MORE!

Watch for the feature on Sacramento and Company about Kids, Cash and College — February 2, 2012 11 AM PST

Click HERE at 11 AM PST to watch it LIVE!

“Don’t you dare talk to me that way!” Have you ever said that to your kids?

Have the responded kind of like this picture?

When a child is being verbally disrespectful, or as we called it in our home, “emotionally biting” someone, a parent’s defensive wall goes up and she screams right back! Most parents who are having loud, ugly words screamed at them would react.

The question is, “is there another option?”

Yes, there is.



First, let me say that I firmly believe that parents should not be disrespected, or have to endure any kind of emotional rudeness, but it does happen. Once it happens a parent feels like there’s only one thing to do to stop it: punish! I want to offer another way, one that not only stops the rude and disrespectful behavior in its tracks, but also teaches.

What Causes Disrespectful Behavior?

Remember when your baby’s cry was her only form of communication? Rude, disrespectful behavior is also form of communication. Verbal disrespect and rude words are a volatile expression of feelings that haven’t (otherwise) been verbalized. The feelings need to be released or all sorts of things may happen.
When a child is screaming horrible things at you, the first thing you need to be aware of is your desire to scream back, “Don’t you dare talk to me that way!” or “Who do you think you are?’ or “You’re g-r-o-u-n-d-e-d!”

I’m not going to lie; it’s hard, and it’s normal to want to retaliate. But screaming and punishing in response doesn’t address or resolve the original feelings that caused your child to be disrespectful. They don’t teach a child how to manage the intense tidal wave he or she is feeling. Punishing her makes her swallow her intense emotions, and will only cause those same feelings to erupt again in a different form.

How to Stop Kids from Being Disrespectful

Parents tend to think children get angry on purpose. Your child doesn’t know how she got so mad. Her anger is a mystery to her. It’s also a cry for help. To a child, being really mad feels scary, like she’s out of control and her feelings have a life of their own. When you say, “Stop it now,” she thinks, Okay, but how do I hold this tidal wave of feelings back? Please show me, don’t punish me.
Parents need to accept that intense feelings are part of growing up. You are their safe place; you need to teach your child how to deal with volatile feelings by doing it yourself. How? By showing her something other than reacting, retaliating and screaming at her.

1. First, stop it from escalating.

Imagine for a moment that a parent and a child are standing opposite each other. Stretched between them is a rope. As the child yells, she pulls on the rope and lets go. A tidal wave of emotion leaves the child and travels across the rope and hits the parent. Now covered in imaginary emotional goo, the parent pulls on the rope as she yells back. It becomes a tug of war, an emotional war.

In order for a parent to teach a child how to handle a tidal wave of intense emotions, the parent has to disengage and drop the rope, thereby stopping the tug of war, before any talking or resolution can begin.

This is the crucial turning point. You’ve stopped things from continuing to escalate, and have turned things toward resolution.

2. Stand fast until you get to the “crucial turning point.”

Your child will try to get you to reengage. She’ll scream mean words at you and she’ll be rude. Stay silent. Do not reengage; do not pick up the rope!
As soon as your child realizes that you’re not reengaging, she will also realize she was out of line. Now is the moment for action.

3. Calmly reengage your child.

You might say, “When you get this upset, you need to calm down first, hit something, and release your anger (though exercise, or whatever the rule is in your house) before talking to me.”

Once your child has released the anger, invite her to talk: “Now please begin with an apology and let’s talk about your feelings calmly.”
By dropping the rope and stopping the emotional tug of war, you’re able to get to the crucial turning point and turn things toward resolution instead of keeping the “war” going by yelling and punishment.

Sarah:  Please tell me, how you got started and where other kids starting a business and parents can find out more info about you. (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, website)

Hamid:  I started my company when I was an athlete growing up. I always enjoyed fitness and was big on convenience. I felt one on one training was the best way to see optimal results. I have a Facebook and twitter page. www.facebook.com/castrofitness and www.twitter.com/castrofitness.

Sarah:  Where did you come up with your idea and what investigation did you do to help you know that this would be a great business?

Hamid:  Fitness is very competitive; once I began to attract new clients throughout my college years, I knew I could easily expand and grow this business. My concept of “In-Home” personal training without the use of gym equipment was very convenient for people. I designed workouts that require little or no equipment so my trainers are able to bring their own equipment to get the most effective results. People are always trying to lose weight or get in shape but have a lot of excuses. I designed a program that makes it’s almost impossible not to workout. With a trainer coming to an individual’s home it takes away a lot of excuses people normally make when they go to the gym. It’s convenient and effective at the comfort of an individual’s home.

Sarah:  What do you think are the most important skills you have that help you in business and that other kids starting a business would need?

Hamid:  Patience! Patience and motivation to be persistent. It takes a lot of confidence in what you do and to believe in yourself. It’s easy for kids to lose track of their goals but with the right idea and motivation it can take them to the next level. It is key to have patience, being a kid can be viewed as a disadvantage but having patience will help with trying to build a business.

Sarah:  What were the biggest obstacles, problems you had in getting started as a kid in business?

Hamid:  Time management is a big obstacle. When you are in school and still growing up it’s hard to find the time to create a business. If someone is driven enough then they will be able to create what they believe is worth creating. I believe you can never be too busy; I thrive on keeping myself busy. I use all my energy to my advantage whether it’s good or negative energy I use it to work harder. Kids cannot stay discouraged or disappointed. Having patience and some sort of maturity will help tremendously.

Sarah:  How does age affect your business success?

Hamid: Age can affect a kid’s business because people may not take them seriously. Having good communication skills and confidence is a huge factor in proving people wrong and being able to promote your business and yourself.

Sarah: What about college? Are you planning on going? Do you think that college is necessary for kids in business?

Hamid:  I graduated from New York University. I think college is very important for kids. At first, it seems like so much work and when you have business problems along with exams it can be extremely stressful. With good time management and patience any goal can be conquered. I was able to develop my company while attending college and graduating with honors. Some kids think if they are making a lot of money they do not need college. However, with college you can obtain so may different skills that can help your business expand. There is no limit when it comes to business and education.

Sarah:  What kind of expenses or start-up costs did you have when you started your business and where did you find the money or capital to start? Have you found that there are places to help kids starting a business to find funding?

Hamid:  Start up costs were not a big factor in my business because my clients grew through word of mouth. Some kids have a business idea but it requires a lot of money that they are not able to get. I would say start small and save everything you get growing up. If you are passionate about your business you will find ways to make it happen regardless of the cost.

Sarah:  What ideas and approaches do you use to market your business and what do you find works best for you in getting the word out about who you are and what you are doing?

Hamid:  I think word of mouth is the best way to get new clients. Also, offering clients incentives for referrals is essential. In my business everyone can use a trainer and everyone can use an adjustment in their health, so it’s just the initial meeting with my potential clients and I can have them hooked from there.

Sarah:  How do you balance it all?

Hamid:  I work very hard and it is very obvious to the people around me. Sometimes I work too hard where it can be overwhelming. Having the right balance is very important. There is no rush in growing up, but that does not mean you can’t create a small business and be an entrepreneur. Hard work always pays off and with the right balance I can find time to still enjoy my youth. I definitely do not have the “average youth life”, but I enjoy what I do and it makes me happy. If you are happy doing what you do at the end of the day then you will have no regrets.

Sarah:  What is the best business advice or tips you would like to share with kids who want to be CEO kids?

Hamid:  Be confident in anything you do, always work on people skills and constantly exceed people’s expectations. With the right drive and motivation you can be anything you want but it is not easy and if you know that going into it then you will be just fine.

What did you most enjoy from this interview? Leave a comment below! You can even ask Hamid a question!!

I never would have guessed that my daughter would be on TV! Eighteen months ago, Clarissa was TERRIFIED to make phone calls or talk in public… so TV was absolutely out of the question.

Today, she’s got a blog and a hot-selling cookbook, and if that’s not enough, the proceeds from the book go to charity.

It all started with an idea and the encouragement to host a charity bake sale and donate the money to a charity of her choice.

I wrote a script for her to use as she made calls to get bake sale donations. I even made the first few calls and then…she had to do it on her own! Those first couple of calls to people who she knew and loved, gave her the confidence to keep making the calls. Dozens of people donated baked goods and recipes.

The big day came and after lots of role playing, Clarissa and her friend Katelyn did a great job selling like crazy! They raised hundreds of dollars and they gained even more confidence talking to people in public.

Months of blogging, talking on the phone, and interviewing on radio and in person gave her the confidence to do her first two TV appearances just before Christmas!

The outcome of helping your kids face their fears is increased confidence and priceless life experiences!

What will you do today to face your own fears and help your kids to do the same? Whatever it is, you can do it!

Ben Johnson

runningwildpaintball.com

Ben Johnson and his brothers started Running Wild Paintball, Inc. when Ben was fourteen years old. Ben played paintball on a semi-pro level at the age of eleven. He and his brothers loved the game and they wanted to take it to the next step so they started their own
field. This was no small endeavor, and with a heavy burden of work the venture is slowly starting to pay off. Ben is now graduating high school and planning on attending SUNY Geneseo for biology, then off to med school. He has no intentions of closing his business while in college. Hence the appropriate name of Running Wild.

You can read about Becca and over 130 other young entrepreneurs in, The Parents’ Guide to Raising CEO Kids. Hundreds of people around the world have read and loved reading, The Parents’ Guide to Raising CEO Kids, your signed copy can be shipped out TODAY!

Why Kids Make Outstanding Business Owners

If you want to have a successful business or career, you sometimes have to think like a child. Adults are often tainted by their experiences and this causes them to hold back. My work with entrepreneurs has shown that anyone can be successful at anything. It’s not that those successful people are extremely talented or they have the most creative and unique new product concept. In fact, often they are downright ordinary people. However, they do have many of the qualities that children have, so maybe in ways, we shouldn’t grow up.

Focus on Success, Not Failure…..To read the rest of this article click HERE!

Interview with Young Entrepreneur and Magazine Owner, Leah Caras (Larson)

Sarah:  Please tell me, how you got started and where other kids starting a business and parents can find out more info about you.

Leah:  I started my magazine business 7 years ago when I was 13 years old. It is a quarterly, international publication for Jewish girls. We just printed our 28th issue! You can learn all about me and the magazine’s timeline at the website. www.yaldah.com, Facebook at Yaldah Mag.

To read the rest of Leah’s interview click HERE!!!

Getting Kids to Cooperate – The FIRST Time

“You want me to do W.H.A.T.? Clean up my room, now? Really?”

So many parents wonder, “Does parenting mean needing to either yell or repeat myself in order to get my child’s attention?”

To find out more, click here!

 Interview with Lucy Meglio, Mom to Young Entrepreneur and Fitness Trainer Joe Meglio

Sarah: When did you notice that Joe was interested in making money and or being in business?

Lucy: As a young boy, Joe was always careful with spending his money. His first job was working for NY Sports Club in high school. He enjoyed working with people and pushing them to meet their goals. He worked whatever hours his schedule permitted without ever complaining. Then he started training a group of high school athletic students over the Summer and Winter seasons. He never got tired of working with his clients and was dedicated to have them achieve their best results. He seemed to realize that the more people he met, the more contacts he made with people interested in his services, and the more money he made. He was always self-motivated. You can find Joe at www.megliofitness.com

To read the rest of the interview with Lucy about her son Joe, click HERE!

Why Paying Off Your Child’s College Debt Might Be the Worst Thing You Can Do!

The short answer, and often times, the best answer to the money question – of “How much money do I give my child (now and adult)?” is “NONE”.  That’s right, Z.E.R.O dollars.

To find more, click HERE!

  Meet the CEO Kids Featured in “The Parents’ Guide to Raising CEO Kids”

Ben Johnson: http://www.runningwildpaintball.com

Ben Johnson and his brothers started Running Wild Paintball, Inc. when Ben was fourteen years old. Ben played paintball on a semi-pro level at the age of eleven. He and his brothers loved the game and they wanted to take it to the next step so they started their own field. This was no small endeavor, and with a heavy burden of work the venture is slowly starting to pay off. Ben is now graduating high school and planning on attending SUNY Geneseo for biology, then off to med school. He has no intentions of closing his business while in college. Hence the appropriate name of Running Wild.

To find out more about Ben, click HERE!