Kidpreneurs: Young Entrepreneurs with Big Ideas is packed with incredible graphics, creativity and superb content. When brothers and entrepreneurs Adam and Matthew Toren couldn’t find a book about starting your own business for young readers they decided to write one. Although not explicitly stated anywhere on the book, I would recommend Kidpreneurs for young children between the ages of 8-13.
One aspect of the book that really jumped out at me was the graphics. The kid-friendly design is colorful, playful and page turning. Similarly, the structure of Kidpreneurs is very easy to follow. For example, it defines what an entrepreneur is, lays out the steps to get started as one, offers sample businesses (lawn care, window washing and dog walking) and explains how to use the internet for business purposes.
I also really like the interactivity of the book. The reader is encouraged to fill out cute forms such as talents, ideas and even a simple business plan. At the end of each chapter, you can take a short quiz to check your understanding and see if you are ready to move on to the next.
Adam and Matthew really hit the point in trying to teach young kids what entrepreneurs are and how to become one. To learn more about this book please visit: www.kidpreneurs.org
*For older kids 14+, I would highly recommend The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur.
Check out Ben’s Great blog here: ben-lang.com (Ben is a great example of a Young Entrepreneur doing great things!)
We were delighted to read the Review of Kidpreneurs written by: Kirsten J. Barker of Prendismo.com
Book Review: “Kidpreneurs”
Posted by KJB
When Adam Toren offered me the opportunity to read “Kidpreneurs”, a book that he authored with his brother Matthew Toren, I jumped at the chance. As an entrepreneur – and a mother of two sons (ages 7 and 10), I have always struggled to explain to my children exactly what it is that I do. While they have met my co-workers and could tell you the names of my clients from overheard dinner table discussions, their best description of my job is that I am perpetually attached to my laptop and cell phone. Not exactly the parent they want to bring into class for “career day” when the other option is their father who is a pediatric cardiologist and can take them on tours of the hospital and show them pictures of their hearts.
Adam and Matthew Toren have compiled an easy to understand outline of how a child or young adult can start a business of their own. They walk the young reader through a simplified concept of what it means to be an entrepreneur and then provide guidance for how to come up with a business idea, target a customer base, price a product and provide customer service. The book even provides a streamlined outline of how to create a one-page business plan which would actually be a helpful exercise for many older entrepreneurs I know!
I was particularly impressed by the Torens’ decision to discuss ethics and integrity. While their target audience of 7 to 13 year-olds probably don’t keep an eye on the front page of the Wall Street Journal each day, most savvy kids are aware of the current economic climate and the more precocious ones might even understand the basics behind terms like “ponzi scheme” and “salary cap”. Bringing up the importance of ethics in business is an important message to deliver to kids – especially those interested in building their own startup.
What was most meaningful to me as an entrepreneur though, was the final chapter that shared a list of the real challenges that entrepreneurs face. From coping with failure and rejection to having to learn from your mistakes, the Torens truly captured the everyday struggles of entrepreneurs. While delivering some hard realities, they also include positive messages like never giving up, keeping a positive attitude, learning to manage your cash flow and most importantly, having fun.
After I finished the book, I gave it to my 10-year old to read. His reaction was, “That is a great book if you want to start a business, but I’m not going to do that. I’m going to be a doctor like Dad.”
Somewhat disheartened that my business-bug had bypassed him, I asked why he had decided on that as a career path.
“Well, in a bad economy, you never have to worry about having customers as a doctor. People always get sick.”
Smiling to myself after his reply, I thought maybe there was a “kidpreneur” in him after all.
Book Spotlight (as Seen in the North Valley Magazine)
What does it take to become a successful entrepreneur? Brothers Matthew and Adam Toren, founders of YoungEntrepreneur.com, have persevered and triumphed through a number of business ventures. They’ve taken many steps and paths in their successful careers, but it is their beginnings that have inspired their latest project: a book on entrepreneurship written specifically for children! The Toren brothers bring a fresh and enlightening perspective to business in the straightforward, easy-to-read original work, Kidpreneurs.
You don’t have to be a grownup to catch the entrepreneurial spirit, and you certainly don’t need to wait until adulthood to learn—or practice—the basic principles of business. It’s never too early! Matthew and Adam credit their families for encouraging their business ideas from a young age, and they wish to provide the world’s youth—the future generation of entrepreneurs—with not only encouragement but also the practical knowledge to start, grow, and succeed in their business visions.
The brothers have spent years dedicated to researching the best practices in modern business and then teaching the techniques to others while establishing and maintaining their own steady stream of successful businesses. One of their passions has been to help ailing businesses by passing along their accumulated know-how. This entrepreneurial instinct, blended with an even measure of their altruistic natures, led the Torens to found YoungEntrepreneur.com, the largest and fastest growing social networking forum for young entrepreneurs in the world.
When Matthew and Adam set out to pass on their business savvy to their own children, Kidpreneurs was born. The book stokes a child’s desire to get involved in business early by fueling their curiosity in simple, engaging, creative, and safe ways. It defines entrepreneur and other key business terms; breaks down the complex concepts to the practical, creative, and ethical sides of the business world; and articulates the important facts of modern business using colorful illustrations, fun facts, stimulating quizzes, and sample business plans.
The philosophy behind the book is simple: The future of our children begins with us! Children of all backgrounds have a right to financial freedom and the skills and tools by which they might obtain it.
You can begin an exciting business journey with your children with Kidpreneurs.
Just finished reading Kidpreneurs and must say, I was very impressed with the writing style, the illustrations and the message that the Toren Brothers convey in this extremely important book. They not only covered Entrepreneurship in a way that kids will understand but they also helped them understand the importance of giving back through charities & communities and they even touched on the environment and being a green Entrepreneur. Loved it from start to finish and will be buying a copy for each of the Teachers in our School and encouraging the kids to read it
