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Warning: These Skills May Cause Future Promotions (and Confidence)
Hey, Raising Humans Crew!
Ever notice how kids love asking “What if…” or “Why not…”?
That spark of curiosity is more than just chatter. It’s the foundation of entrepreneurial thinking.
This edition is all about channeling that spark into real-world skills that will serve your child for a lifetime. Whether they’re starting a lemonade stand, solving sibling conflicts, or pitching big ideas for school projects, entrepreneurial traits like creativity, resilience, and initiative can shine through in everyday moments.
Let’s explore how to raise future-ready problem-solvers who think big and act boldly—no business plan required.
Also in this edition:
5 Signs of Entrepreneurial Thinking and Simple Tips to Spark Each One
Survey Says: We asked, you answered! Here's what parents really think about last week's big question.
🧠 The Think Tank: Cast your vote in this week’s poll!
Forget Job Titles & Teach the Skills That Open Every Door
The traits of young entrepreneurs don’t just prepare kids to run businesses—they set the stage for success in any career.
Employees with entrepreneurial thinking skills are 5X more likely to be promoted and take on leadership roles faster. (Source: Gallup)
Skills like creativity, problem-solving, and resilience are ranked as top predictors of job performance, outweighing even technical expertise in many fields. (Source: World Economic Forum)
According to a LinkedIn survey of hiring managers, 92% say soft skills like initiative and adaptability are just as important—or more—than hard skills when evaluating candidates.
Bottom line? Whether your child wants to be a CEO, engineer, artist, or educator, entrepreneurial thinking gives them the confidence and mindset to lead, adapt, and thrive.
💥 Did You Know?
41% of Gen Z say they plan to become entrepreneurs, and more than half of them want to start a business before age 25.
(Source: EY & JA Worldwide)
But here’s the twist.
Only one in four high schoolers say they’ve learned how to start or run a business in school.
(Source: NFTE / Gallup)
What this means for parents:
Entrepreneurial thinking isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s a critical life skill that most kids aren’t learning in traditional classrooms.
You have the power to fill that gap by encouraging your child to think creatively, take initiative, and explore bold ideas—even if they’re just 8 years old and selling bookmarks to Grandma.
5 Signs of Entrepreneurial Thinking and Simple Tips to Spark Each One
Entrepreneurial thinking isn’t just for future business owners—it’s a mindset that helps kids thrive in school, friendships, and life.
These five traits are the backbone of that mindset, and you can help nurture them every day.
💡 1. Curiosity
Kids who ask “Why?” and “What if?” are already thinking like innovators.
Encourage them to explore different perspectives and dig deeper into topics they care about. Curiosity builds critical thinking and a lifelong love of learning.
🛠️ Try This: Let your child lead a “research mission” on a topic of interest—whether it’s jellyfish, space tech, or how vending machines work.
🎨 2. Creativity
Entrepreneurs see problems as puzzles—and get excited about solving them in unexpected ways.
Creativity fuels innovation and helps kids build flexible thinking skills that adapt to change.
🛠️ Try This: Give them a "challenge of the day" like: “Invent a new use for a paperclip.” Bonus points if they pitch it Shark Tank–style!
💪 3. Resilience
Great ideas don’t always work the first time—and that’s okay.
Teaching your child how to reflect, adapt, and bounce back builds confidence and grit.
🛠️ Try This: After a setback (like losing a game or a failed experiment), model healthy reflection: “What would you try differently next time?”
🚀 4. Initiative
Entrepreneurial kids don’t wait for permission—they take action.
Nurture this by giving them space to lead, make choices, and test their ideas in safe environments.
🛠️ Try This: Hand over a family task (like organizing a toy bin, planning a small outing, or creating a grocery list) and let them design the plan from start to finish.
🗣️ 5. Leadership
Whether they’re running a club or helping younger siblings, leadership helps kids build empathy, confidence, and communication skills.
Great leaders listen, adapt, and inspire others to collaborate and create.
🛠️ Try This: Encourage your child to create a mini “team project” at home—like a game, play, fundraiser, or a lemonade stand—and invite friends or family to participate.
We’re Building a Parent Community – Come Be Part of It
We’re loving the feedback we get from the Raising Humans surveys, and we want to keep that energy flowing!
The Parent Village is a safe space for honest discussions, where ideas about raising confident, resilient kids can flourish. Whether it's advice on entrepreneurial thinking, managing screen time, or fostering curiosity, let’s build a supportive atmosphere! You can make meaningful connections with others who are just as invested in their children’s future successes.
Last week, we asked: “If a college admissions officer or future employer looked at your child’s social media, what would they find?”
🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🔘 Confident it reflects them well – we talk about this regularly
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔘 Mostly okay – but we haven’t reviewed it together in a while
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔘 Not sure – I haven’t checked or discussed this much
Many of us are navigating this digital landscape alongside our kids, and it’s completely normal to feel unsure or overdue for a check-in. The good news? A simple conversation can go a long way in helping kids reflect on how they present themselves online.
Try setting aside a few minutes this week to scroll through social media together or talk about what’s appropriate to post. Not from a place of judgment, but from a place of trust and teamwork. You might be surprised by what you learn from them, too.
We’re asking parents like you to share their thoughts on topics that matter each week! Cast your vote and see what others think! We’ll chat more about the results next week. 👀
Do you think we’re helping or hindering kids when it comes to failure? |
The Toolbox: Tech, Apps, and Resources to Help Kids Thrive
Want to spark entrepreneurial thinking in your child? These resources make it fun, inspiring, and totally doable—no business degree required!
Kid Start-Up by Mark Cuban, Shaan Patel, and Ian McCue
A hands-on, down-to-earth guide that helps kids ages 8–12 turn their ideas into businesses. With relatable stories and simple exercises, it’s perfect for sparking that “I can do this!” confidence.
What Adults Can Learn From Kids – TED Talk by Adora Svitak
At just 12 years old, Adora challenged grown-ups to think bigger, dream boldly, and trust in young minds. A must-watch for kids and parents who want to think beyond limits.
Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!)
This national program showcases real student success stories—from kids who launched handmade product lines to tech apps. Use their free online profiles as inspiration to show your child what’s possible.
Bloxels
This kid-friendly app lets kids design their own video games, combining storytelling, coding, and creativity. It’s a sneaky way to build entrepreneurial skills like problem-solving and user experience design!
Until Next Week…
Entrepreneurial thinking isn’t just for future CEOs—it’s for every child who wants to create, lead, and solve problems confidently.
By giving kids space to think big and act boldly, you’re helping them grow into capable humans who believe their ideas matter.
Thanks for joining us in raising kind, capable, and confident humans. We’re so glad you’re here.
What did you think about this week's newsletter? |
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