a fun school speaking engagement and the beginning of spring

Posted on 09. Apr, 2010 by in business, home

A few days ago I had the pleasure of speaking to a room of 8th grade students about entrepreneurship and starting a business. Each student had started writing a business plan for their own little startup (including an after-school concession stand, a beef jerky company, and a t-shirt design shop) and they were beginning to learn about market surveys, risks, and pricing.

I really didn’t know what to expect–would they be super shy? Too cool for school? Distracted? But I was so impressed through the entire hour, everyone paid attention, seemed interested, and even interrupted me throughout my presentation (which I loved) to ask questions and share their opinions. This one kid had even drawn a logo for his company and he was so proud. I love that.

I was asked to speak about how I started in 2005, my struggles and successes, give them some advice and answer questions. If you follow me on Twitter, maybe you noticed me asking what advice you would give to middle schoolers about starting a business. I got some great responses that I included in the slide show I created.

I uploaded the little presentation to SlideShare so you can see it too if you want:

Self-Starting for Students: What can you do now?

Today Mr. Lasertron got off work at noon and we drove to my hometown lumber yard to get some materials to make a square foot garden and compost heap. It was such an adventure. Hauling armfuls of 4x4s didn’t put me into labor (darn) but now we have everything we need for our projects.

And Turbo tried to run away and got in a fight with a stray cat. What a dummy! Dad to the rescue.

I wish I had taken more pictures at the hardware store/lumber yard because it’s that kind of old-fashioned small town shop that you don’t really see anymore. There were rows and rows of boxes full of nails and lag bolts and screws and other fasteners that you scoop out with a little spoon and weigh. I was kind of getting the eye from the workers though so I kept the camera off.

Thanks for all the headband orders! I am going to start working on them tonight. And you still have until Monday to win my headband and boutonniere set on Rockstar Diaries.

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11 Responses to “a fun school speaking engagement and the beginning of spring”

  1. Michelle

    19. Apr, 2010
    7:48 pm

    Thank you so much! I’m on the last leg of my textiles degree and we have to do a marketing project, focussing on people who have their own business and I was going to look at you, this is brilliant! We have to look at people who inspire us and who we can aspire to be, thought of you right away. :) (Ahh damn that sounds gushy but it is true).

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  2. Rock 'n Roll Bride · Thursday Treats – 15th April 2010

    15. Apr, 2010
    1:12 pm

    [...] along! ♥ A cake tree ♥ Two brides kissing in a mainstream wedding magazine – hallelujah! ♥ Princess Lasertron goes back to school ♥ More yellow inspiration…told ya. It’s in baby! ♥ Love the raised hem at the [...]

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  3. Jenn

    14. Apr, 2010
    11:33 am

    I need to get that book for my sister about the gardens. We just bought a house and she is trying to figure out what portion of the “baseball field,” as my son dubbed our backyard, to put a garden so the toddler doesn’t slide into base over carrots and the dog doesn’t do her business there. Sounds like the perfect solution!

    Great slide show. I have been working for self-starters my entire career and it always fascinates me to see what matters to their company and what doesn’t. I enjoyed your PowerPoint – you always make everything so you (or so Lasertron). It’s very admirable.

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  4. Clara

    13. Apr, 2010
    6:25 am

    Thank you so much! I’m on the last leg of my textiles degree and we have to do a marketing project, focussing on people who have their own business and I was going to look at you, this is brilliant! We have to look at people who inspire us and who we can aspire to be, thought of you right away. :) (Ahh damn that sounds gushy but it is true).

    Reply to this comment

  5. Jenny Mick!

    10. Apr, 2010
    10:06 pm

    What a great slideshow – I can see why they paid attention so well! I think as a kid, having someone that owns a business that (so far) they’ve run out of their home, doing something they love, would seem much more attainable to them then someone that runs a store, restaurant, etc.

    Stores like that are definitely the best. My grandparents owned a pharmacy in Benson until about 15 years ago when Walgreens moved in down the street. I spent a ton of time there and loved it.

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  6. Karen

    10. Apr, 2010
    11:45 am

    I put up my very first square foot garden last week! Gardening is so much fun. Good luck with yours–I’d love to see your progress on the blog. :)

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  7. Megan

    10. Apr, 2010
    8:52 am

    That is such a great slideshow, and I love that you included the others and their advice! I wish I had had someone come and speak to me in 8th grade about the opportunity to do something that I love. I think I would have taken off with it!

    Also, love the pics of Mr.Lasertron rescuing Turbo, and your belly button in the Omaha shirt! So cute!

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  8. tanya

    09. Apr, 2010
    10:46 pm

    My grandpa owned a small town hardware store and my “job” every time I would visit was to sort out the bolts and such. I got a quarter for every box I sorted. I loved it so much and I love, love, love the smell of a hardware store…always reminds me of my grandpa.

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  9. Lara

    09. Apr, 2010
    10:06 pm

    I LOVE small town hardware stores! I worked in the one here in Story City on Fridays until it went out of business last year…..was really sad to see it close and I loved my Fridays there. One of my favorite jobs EVER.

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