Imagine the US economy without entrepreneurial growth; a nation of employees dependent upon large companies for their financial survival. Small businesses are the driving force behind the US economy, yet teaching America’s youth the vital entrepreneurial skill sets is lacking in most public schools across the country.
Biz in a Boxx rolled out in late May of this year, and is receiving rave reviews from educators and private business experts alike. It’s a fun, creative, hands-on business tool that teaches American kids and teens the practical fundamentals of entrepreneurship in the real world. The program encourages the all-American dream – earn financial independence by starting your own successful business at a young age while instilling accountability and responsibility.
But, this is not your average lemonade stand endeavor. The company is a breath of fresh air in these troubling economic times. Biz in a Boxx was conceived and developed by a determined mom who simply wanted to teach her 12-year-old daughter, Sydney, about life lessons learned through entrepreneurship. Founder Melissa Rose began some preliminary research only to discover that the specific skill sets required to run a self-made business would most likely not be gained through traditional local school system curriculums.
“When we ignore teaching kids the skills to run a business successfully, we inadvertently set them up to fail. A kid’s first lemonade stand isn’t just a way to keep them occupied for an afternoon,” Rose said. “It’
What has resulted is a revolutionary, well thought-out product designed exclusively for young minds to think outside of the box. It’s a chance for kids to have a positive first experience in starting and running their own actual business. Ages 7 to 10 identify as the “CEO Prodigy”; ages 11 to 14 as the “CEO Apprentice”; and ages 15 and up as “The CEO.”
“It’s not that they (kids) can think outside of the box any better than adults, but it’s because they aren’t even aware a box exists,” says Reba Rose, a partner in the company. “They tend to be better risk-takers, and they aren’t jaded by a knowledge of failure. Young entrepreneurs have amazing clarity, insight and confidence. The number of CEOs under the age of 20 is astonishing. They aren’t necessarily prodigies. They are simply kids who took a chance.”
Melissa Rose earned her B.A. in Journalism in 1991 from the University of Arizona and her M.B.A. in 2003. She started her first business, a marketing company, at the age of 20. She’s been self-employed for the past 18 years; and encourages youngsters to be leaders.
