School's Out
And I miss it!
Photo by Oliver Hale on Unsplash
There are two clear sides to my career today (three if you add writing this Substack).
I operate a for-profit business that helps companies invent breakthrough next generation products.
I work pro bono as a mentor and coach with young entrepreneurs. That’s my topic for today.
When you are done with this article, my goal is for all of you will be convinced to help at least one young entrepreneur grow in their business. I guarantee you will find it to be fulfilling!
I am not a teacher. For a couple of decades, coaching student entrepreneurs was the main part of my career. No longer. But I do, and will continue to, volunteer to meet with students, usually in their classrooms as arranged by their teachers.
Here are some of the things I did this year.
Judged five student pitch competitions and attended a few others. I saw how quickly students learn when they are given agency to work on their own. I saw students discover the joy of developing something that they love. I saw some go away dissapointed, but I also saw some back competing for a second or third year - never giving up. I saw inventive products and services.
Visited 6 schools and got to know some of the best entrepreneurship teachers in Indiana a little better.
Had the chance to spend a few sessions with some music arts entrepreneurs, see (and hear) their personal ventures come to life, and watch them pitch the creation of a music festival.
Had a table at a Junior Achievement career event and got to speak with a few dozen students that found me and truly wanted to know more about starting their own business.
Asked a student I was coaching to tell me at least one thing I suggested that he didn’t agree with - and watched as his confidence in his own viewpoint grew.
Helped some students think through their first ever business idea - and saw the smilles when they came up with something that clicked.
Watched some students from last year come back to mentor others this year!
Saw a student who I mentor earn a full ride scholarship to an awesome university for a program catering directly to his field.
Watched a high school student get accepted into Y Combinator before graduation - plus be invited to present at a local VC event.
Reviewed a pitch deck with a college student serial entrepreneur who I first met when he was still in high school and was starting one of his prior ventures.
Heard from an entrepreneur who is probably 7 or 8 years out of school now and halfway across the country - who looked me up for a conversation about growth. He already has 4 employees, but has even bigger plans.
Saw a student entrepreneur program I helped start (and is now in its first year without me involved) bring more student ventures to its finale than ever.
This was a comparatively light year for me, but impactful nonetheless. I was grateful for the opportunity to be there to see all of this and help in some small way. All toward the goal of meeting my mission - “To enable the next generation to build a better tomorrow.” Both sides of my business equip people to create a better future, but the mission verbiage itself was born from working with students.
Please join me next year!
No, you don’t have to physically join me in visits here in Northeast Indiana next year.
But, wherever you are, there are high schools and universities that teach entrepreneurship. You can find the teachers or professors and volunteer to speak with students about your own area of expertise. Some would just love for you to stop in and share for part of a class. Others may direct you to a student or team that could benefit from a one-on-one chat - or even mentorship.
You don’t have to teach or “be the #1 expert”. You do have to take them seriously and be straight with them. Just use your experience to help them think through what they are doing. Person to person.
I guarantee that you will find it rewarding helping the next generation of entrepreneurs in your city. Have fun making making your own list of “Some things I did” next year!
Loved it, Steve.