Up, Down, Sideways, Backwards…. All In! Part 1

A story of persistence, optimism and entrepreneurial spirit!

Part 1

A story of persistence, optimism and entrepreneurial spirit!

After a month of social distancing there an increasing number of articles and news stories about businesses having to reinvent. The other night there was a story about wedding planners and the shift occurring due to cancellations and postponements. It is going to be a challenging and fascinating time of renewal, recycling and reinvention! One that will require not only creative thinking but grit, resilience, optimism and the embracement of learning from failure. This story celebrates these qualities. It is a story for all the young to older entrepreneurs.

A couple of years before I retired I had the pleasure of working with ‘Brilliant’ Brandon Sheddon. He was my partner in our kindergarten class. Brandon not only was an Early Childhood Educator, but he was doing a degree in Child Studies AND running his own t-shirt business, Cakeworthy. This ambitious young man started young with a variety of small business starting back when he was five! In off hours, we would brainstorm and discuss business ideas and the plight of running a business. We would also talk about business books and leaders. Arlene Dickenson’s book All IN was one such topic. He shared how he always admired Ms Dickenson and thought of her as one of his heroines. These conversations, and my own enjoyment of All In, inspired me to write this story.

In addition, this story was also inspired by my son Matthew and his desire to have his own business at the age of 10. Around this time he started a car wash business, then became a partnership with his buddy Bernie. Well they washed cars. Bernie was an excellent salesman getting them business and Matt was passionately the operations fellow. Well they proceeded along until, you guessed it, their partnership broke apart, rather similar to what happened in the story.

Dazzle’s Challenge:

  • Brainstorm ideas how existing businesses that might be closed can reinvent themselves during COVID-19. Think of ways kids can change the lemonade stand idea to a new sidewalk business that is safe and will not transfer germs. Is this possible?

Quick Take Away Links:

Up, Down, Sideways, Backwards…. All In! Part 1

A story of persistence, optimism and entrepreneurial spirit!

Part 1

A story of persistence, optimism and entrepreneurial spirit!

After a month of social distancing there an increasing number of articles and news stories about businesses having to reinvent. The other night there was a story about wedding planners and the shift occurring due to cancellations and postponements. It is going to be a challenging and fascinating time of renewal, recycling and reinvention! One that will require not only creative thinking but grit, resilience, optimism and the embracement of learning from failure. This story celebrates these qualities. It is a story for all the young to older entrepreneurs.

A couple of years before I retired I had the pleasure of working with ‘Brilliant’ Brandon Sheddon. He was my partner in our kindergarten class. Brandon not only was an Early Childhood Educator, but he was doing a degree in Child Studies AND running his own t-shirt business, Cakeworthy. This ambitious young man started young with a variety of small business starting back when he was five! In off hours, we would brainstorm and discuss business ideas and the plight of running a business. We would also talk about business books and leaders. Arlene Dickenson’s book All IN was one such topic. He shared how he always admired Ms Dickenson and thought of her as one of his heroines. These conversations, and my own enjoyment of All In, inspired me to write this story.

In addition, this story was also inspired by my son Matthew and his desire to have his own business at the age of 10. Around this time he started a car wash business, then became a partnership with his buddy Bernie. Well they washed cars. Bernie was an excellent salesman getting them business and Matt was passionately the operations fellow. Well they proceeded along until, you guessed it, their partnership broke apart, rather similar to what happened in the story.

Dazzle’s Challenge:

  • Brainstorm ideas how existing businesses that might be closed can reinvent themselves during COVID-19. Think of ways kids can change the lemonade stand idea to a new sidewalk business that is safe and will not transfer germs. Is this possible?

Quick Take Away Links: