During the summer, finding something to keep your child busy is a daunting but crucial task. From research done by John Hopkins School of Education, two months of math skills are lost over the summer. According to an article by Oxford Learning, summer learning loss can begin as early as first grade.
Entrepreneurship and small summer business ideas can offer a plethora of opportunities for you to not only keep students entertained, but also develop skills they will use for the rest of their lives! If this is new territory for you, no problem - try these tips to get your student started down an entrepreneurial journey.
- Encourage no matter the idea: Initially, a student’s idea may not seem realistic, but that doesn’t mean you can’t put a creative twist on them. A business based on selling magic potions is pretty ambitious - but what about a fairy-tale-themed stand that sells a colorful array of beverages? Positive support helps build your child’s confidence and getting them to think outside the box by turning their crazy idea into reality helps develop creativity.
- Pitch to friends and family: It’s important to have your child present their product because it helps them become more comfortable speaking in front of others and giving a sales pitch.
- The more the merrier: Try making their summer business venture a group effort by inviting family or friends around their age to promote teamwork and collaboration.
- Use technology and the internet: If your child wants to sell a product, use platforms and websites like Etsy or eBay to help them distribute it. Sites like GoFundMe or Indiegogo can be used to raise money to make something new. Even just using social media to tell people about the idea can make a big difference in gaining customers!
- Don’t give all the answers: A student’s ideas might not always work the first time. Offer hints if they are really stumped, but help them learn that failure is a part of the learning process! One of the keys of entrepreneurship is figuring things out and coming up with creative solutions to problems. So let your child explore and think critically about how to overcome their obstacles.
See some past blog posts on summer business ideas and tech-inspired businesses if you’re still looking for inspiration - here’s to a productive summer!
