Chrissy Steed: I feel that when children are dedicated and they’re passionate about something and they’re able to actually act on it, they supersede their expectations. You may have children who may not be pros or gurus in science and math, but when they’re able to explore their own ideas, the sky’s the limit.
Chad T. Collins: You have a goal to reach 1 Million Kiddiepreneurs. How is the KiddiePreneur program delivered to students, and their parents?
Chrissy Steed: There are two different components to the curriculum. Parents are able to go onto our website, www.KiddiePreneur.com, and purchase the curriculum. That’s great for home-schoolers or parents who, if they can’t get the curriculum through their school system, can go onto our website and they can purchase the curriculum, which includes the book, the workbook, and they get resources through e-mail.
It is a six week program.
Children and their parents are able to learn about the KiddiePreneur program, go through the modules, and then present their product as a pitch program. They’re pitching their business model to us for funding. Once they complete the training, they present. They record a YouTube video and they send us the link and then we present the winners with funding at the KiddiePreneur Weekend. That’s one component of it.
Then the second component is actually working with community organizations as well as educational institutions and they can purchase the curriculum from us and distribute it to their school districts. Then those children also have the same opportunity to pitch their business model to us and hopefully win our pitch program. Once again, they’re presented with recognition awards, as well as the pitch winner, which is a cash prize to continue and fund their business, awarded during KiddiePreneur Weekend. KiddiePreneur Weekend is actually a national holiday!
Chad T. Collins: Are parents involved with their child/children as they’re going through the program?
Chrissy Steed: Yes. Actually, we recommend that they are highly involved in their children’s project, the program, and in all the ways that they learn; it’s really a partnership. We understand that at ten years old being home alone trying to go through a KiddiePreneur program, while it is very simplistic, it’s always great to have an adult present to help answer those questions that they may be a little unfamiliar with or any terminology.
Chad T. Collins: Is there a success story about a child that has gone through the curriculum you could share?
Chrissy Steed: We had one child who was actually still a part of the program, because, you continue to evolve as a business owner, so they’re still part of us and they’re still working with us. This one child came to the program very shy, very meek. Didn’t really understand what their passion was. Through the KiddiePreneur program, we were able to help drive and bring that passion out of the child. They actually started a fashion business. Through that fashion business, they are able to sell t-shirts now and they’re moving forward and they’re thriving.
That’s what we’re all about. We’re all about empowering the youth. Through our program, this one child, she started her own t-shirt business. She’s selling t-shirts online, which is really great. She’s been to different fashion shows. Not only is our program a confidence booster, but now this child feels like she’s a part of something. Something great. She had a great time.
Chad T. Collins: That’s fantastic. I love that success story, and that the parents then get to see their child come out of their shell to then thrive in their newfound entrepreneurial element.
Chrissy Steed: One parent even sent me a letter. She wrote, “Thank you! You’ve been a blessing to me and my child. The KiddiePreneur In You book is awesome.” Parents are raving about it. They see the change in their kids, which is awesome and that’s always what we want to see. That their kids are able to grow.
Chad T. Collins: Where can parents learn more about you, Kiddiepreneur, and the Expo Weekend?
Chrissy Steed: Our website is www.KiddiePreneur.com. Via e-mail info@just4Uexpo.com. Or call our office at 551-587-8482. Our next big event is in June 2016, it is the Just 4 U Kids Kiddiepreneur Weekend held in New Jersey. It will feature celebrities and vendors and KiddiePreneur vendors at that, and just a lot of fun. I’m hoping that more people get involved and really understand that their kids too can be business owners. It doesn’t matter their age.
Chad T. Collins: Thank you for taking time out of your day to be interviewed here and share your incredible story. You have many fantastic things going on and lives are being changed. I can’t say enough great things about the way that you’re truly being an influencer for today’s youth.
Chrissy Steed: Thank you for having me.
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To learn more about Chrissy Steed or the Just 4U KiddiePreneur program, please visit www.kiddiepreneur.com, email info@just4Uexpo.com, or call 551-587-8482.Â