Our fantastic new HomeLearners Network (HLN) Guide, Trisha, is excited to introduce your kiddos to the joys of entrepreneurship! Learning to start and run a business is an intricate process that encourages self-development and provides a sense of achievement.

“Entrepreneurship opens up doors and possibilities for kids,” says Trisha. “It shows them how to create something for themselves, and learning these skills early helps build their confidence and resilience.”

Trisha has degrees in communications and education. She graduated from the West Kootenay Rural Teacher Education Program (WKTEP) at UBC and has a postgraduate certificate in inclusive education. In addition to her role as a Guide at HLN, she works at her local elementary and middle schools, teaching digital literacy, media arts, entrepreneurship and marketing.

Her own journey as an entrepreneur started with her family’s wholesale plant and tree nursery. “I learned a lot from their experiences when I worked in the business when I was younger,” she says. “Then, in my twenties, I started an offshoot of my family’s business. It was an online business selling home delivery Christmas trees.”

Trisha also ran an event coordination business where she organized music events and fashion shows and, more recently, she worked as a yoga teacher where she ran her own retreats.

We sat down with Trisha to dive deeper into the benefits of entrepreneurship for kids!

1. It gives kids an opportunity to explore and pursue their passions

Building a business around a passion provides fulfillment and purpose!

“When I teach entrepreneurship, there’s certainly the component of learning about what it means to be an entrepreneur and how to go about it, but I also encourage kids to choose something they’re passionate about,” says Trisha. “It’s about honing in on what they like, exploring those topics further, and sharing the knowledge they already have.”

Trisha’s learners have done everything from selling baked goods to neighbours and at farmer’s markets to caring for people’s pets, babysitting, and teaching skills in basketball!

2. It builds confidence and the courage to take calculated risks

Starting a business involves putting yourself out there!

“Through the process of running a business, whether things do or don’t go well, there’s the element of trying. Trial and error creates a sense of knowing that they can do it. They can try it out, and if it doesn’t work, they can troubleshoot or learn how to make their ideas work better,” says Trisha, who admits that she has learned more from her failures than her successes.

Learning new skills is also essential to building confidence, and learning how to build a business teaches a myriad of the essentials.

3. It builds skills like critical thinking, teamwork communication and more

The life skills learned through entrepreneurship extend far beyond business! Kids develop critical and creative thinking by tackling challenges from different angles, brainstorming solutions, and creating products or services. As they assess risks and take responsibility for their choices, decision-making becomes more natural!

Entrepreneurship also fosters communication, teamwork and leadership. Fleshing out ideas and engaging with customers and peers improves their ability to express their thoughts clearly. Collaborating teaches navigating group dynamics, delegating tasks, and resolving conflicts.

Ultimately, these experiences build confidence, resilience and adaptability.

4.  It grows a sense of responsibility and independence

By starting a business, kids learn to be accountable for their successes and failures, motivating time management, organization and goal setting.

“In terms of starting a business, one has to step up into the role of leadership – to be in charge and make decisions,” says Trisha. “It gets kids thinking about what’s required to be a responsible citizen and how to set and meet their goals.”

Running a business can also give kids a sense of independence. “It’s nice for them to understand that there’s flexibility and freedom involved with running their own business.”

5.  It teaches financial literacy

By starting a business, kids learn how to manage money early on, which can set them up for financial success later in life! Kids get a unique opportunity to learn about pricing, profit margins, revenue and expenses.

Get your kiddo excited about entrepreneurship in Trisha’s upcoming activities: Intro to Entrepreneurship and Building a Business Plan!