Group Discussions

Were/are your parents business owners, too?

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  Did/do your parents own their own business? Was that a big factor in leading you into the world of entrepreneurship? Did they encourage you?

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Diane on 23rd May 2008
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  No, but sometimes i wish they did so that i can ask them for advice or guidance. I think that they really don't understand what I do and part of them is scared for me

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Victoria on 23rd May 2008
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  My parents were farmers - and I believe that is truly an entrepreneur! Back 50 years ago there wasn't much money, and with 5 kids, we pretty much "ate" what was raised on the farm. Each summer my mother would raise and "dress" from 1500 - 2000 chickens, which were cleaned, cut, packaged & frozen for customers in town. As for me, one year when I was in the 7th grade I cracked 75 quarts of black walnuts (anybody familiar with how HARD it is to crack black walnuts???) - sold them for $1.00 per quart and I FELT RICH!!! That was the beginning of my own entrepreneurship. Today I have several websites, write and create pattern making classes, sewing and craft classes, and have my own sewing/personal blog.

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Sarah Doyle on 31st May 2008
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  My parents have always worked for someone else. But they are really proud that I have my own business. My mom likes to brag to her friends that my husband and I have our own businesses.

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by April Mims, Career Coach on 31st May 2008
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  As I've thought about the beginning question - I do believe that entrepreneurial parents DO have influence on a child. Our younger daughter wrote her first book while in college after encouragement from me to help pay the college bills. Her book, 101 Ways to Tie A Scarf is still her best seller today, and she also has numerous websites --- also has the 2 1/2 year old quadruplets and an older 3 1/2 year old son. Her quads are so talented, from poop art to wrapping Papaw around their little finger. She finally decided to do a special blog, http://MultipleMayhem.com so she can rant and rave about the children. Oh my, they are so cute, but a BIG handful. Almost seems like you have to be an entrepreneur just to deal with 5 children under the age of 4 - not to mention her "work at home" business!! We're VERY proud of her and her husband!

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Sarah Doyle on 2nd June 2008
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  YES!!! I must say it is hard to work for another person, the mindset is just not there. Being raised by two business owners has definately rubbed off on me. I am working for their company right now www.youngrembrandts.com and am loving the entreprenuerial spirit. But i cannot wait to get my own company going!

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Yvonne Roberts on 19th February 2009