Raising a Nation of Young Black Entrepreneurs: Part 1- Exposure
Written by Crystal Washington,
Black-Market Exchange CEO
In part one of this series, we highlighted the importance of exposing our children to the entrepreneur
mentality. Being that all great accomplishments are the result of mindset plus action, it is imperative that we now begin
to ingrain entrepreneurial activities in the everyday lives of our youth.
Many have heard the aphorism, "It is not what you know, but who you know." While it is certainly
important to have some knowledge of one's field, one's connections can never be undervalued. Knowing the right individuals
can very easily mean the difference between an upward struggle towards entrepreneurship or a red carpet reception.
How can a child get a head start in making connections? The answer is very simple, by
parents building their child's network.
Teach your child
to keep in touch with former teachers, coaches, neighbors- anyone who they have established a relationship with. One of the
easiest ways to do this is to send holiday cards to this list of individuals. As your child grows older, teach them to update
their lists and eventually, allow them to be completely in charge of this activity.
For other times of the year, purchase blank cards that your child can write his/her own messages in for birthdays,
births, promotions, etc. Make sure that you praise your child for their thoughtfulness. This is the time to help nurture your
child's relationships. The more they put into this process, the more they will get out of it later.
Encourage your child to seek out associations. Most children take part in competitions.
Push your child to take the time to actually "meet" the judges after the event. If any specific businessperson or
politician impresses you child, have your child write a note to that individual. The important thing to remember during this
process is that it is crucial to make connections now, while your adolescent does not "need" anything from these
acquaintances. In the future, these same contacts will be more than happy to write letters of recommendations for scholarships,
colleges, and careers. Your child will not only benefit from their association with their own contacts, but also from each
of these acquaintance's networks.
It is important to note
that building your child's network is not about creating superficial connections, but is about teaching your child how
to connect with individuals in a way that creates lasting, mutually beneficial relationships. With practice, your child will
become an expert networker.
Be on the lookout for Part III- Putting It Into Action!
