I was recently in an important meeting with a potential business partner discussing sales training when suddenly from behind me I heard, “Excuse me.” I looked over my shoulder and there stood a seven or eight year-old boy who had just ridden up on his bike. He then proceeded to ask us if we had seen the movie Alien Vs. Predator and I told him that I had. Next he pulled an Alien action figure out of his backpack and made a short “pitch” at selling me it for fifteen bucks. Intrigued by his courage and salesmanship, I asked a few questions like, “Where did you get it?” What are you going to do with the money?” and “would you take less for it?”

He answered all the questions succinctly and held his ground on the price with respect. The entire time he did this I was thinking, “If this were my son, what would I want someone else to do?” So without much choice in my mind I did what you’re thinking, I pulled out my money and paid the boy in full for his action figure and I knew my four year old would love.

Hillary Clinton’s famous speech, “It Takes a Village” made me want to puke because her silent message was, it takes a government. Without that part, she would’ve been right. It just takes good people making good choices. Take the time to pull over to that lemonade stand, buy Girl Scout cookies and reward young entrepreneurs. Hire the neighborhood kid to mow your lawn and buy your beef at the county fair from 4H participants.

It only takes a few good people acting from a sense social responsibility to uplift our next generation of business leaders. Also remember to do unto other people’s children as you would have them do unto yours.

Please share any stories that you may have that involves entrepreneurial children. I know there are many people that would love to hear them. Another great place to share and read stories like this is in the Facebook group “Family First Entrepreneurs.”