Free Business Message Phone Line For Teens

Hi

I hope everyone's spring quarter programs are off to a great start. I know in many of my programs students are reluctant to provide their phone numbers on business cards and flyers. Students from my Yesler Y.E. program found a great way to protect their privacy and continue to deliver great customer service. They found a free message line, the line provides them the opportunity to market their business, hours, services, and days, in addition customers have the option to leave a message. These messages could be checked from anywhere, and each teen has a personal 10 digit phone number assigned to them. The message line is a great tool, which keeps teens and parents feeling safe, and most of all it's FREE, the number is 206-376-1000.

Idris

Entrepreneurs under 16 articles roused the kids!

In my class yesterday, I read the article about entrepreneurs under 16 (found in week 5) to my students and it really got their creative juices flowing. After we read the article together, I immediately had them pull out a sheet of paper and right down what ever business thoughts and ideas that came to their heads. We ended up having a very energetic conversation about inventions that they could create right now with the resources that are available to them. I then asked them how they thought they could enhnce the business that they are now running. Some of the kids were doubting their business ideas a couple of weeks ago and I saw that this exercise gave them new inspiration to be creative with their current businesses. If any of your students are feeling discouraged, I recommend that you read this article to them and give them the oppurtunity to jot down their thoughts afterwards. The article is found at the following link. http://www.legalzoom.com/legal-articles//article13173.html

Best wishes

Philip Jacobs

Business Plan

Hey Mentors,

I wanted to check in on the new blog and receive some feedback from my fellow WMFF mentors. Now in my fifth week over at the Van Asselt Community Center I finally had a breakthrough with the students last night. Up to this point the class had been interrupted multiple times because of the holidays and some discipline issues not related to the class. With the holidays behind us I wanted to get the students going right away on organizing a business and decided to focus on the business plan starting on p.22.

The structure and design of the the three page plan instantly accomplished a few things:
1. It became clear to the students it takes serious organization and planning to make some money.
2. They were forced into asking questions about supply/demand, advertising, a budget and other basic business principles.
3. They interacted more with each other and started sharing ideas among classmates often figuring out problems without asking me.

I am wondering if any of you mentors have had a similar reaction to the business plan or anything else. I have some ideas on why this was successful, ie: some much needed structure and the fact they were forced to do it and I offered candy to those who finished it in the allotted 30 minutes, but would like to hear back from you.

Thanks again and I look forward to your comments,

Andrew

Welcome to the mentor blog!

Young Entrepreneur Mentors and Students:

The WMFF Mentor blog is designed to be an additional tool for mentors to communicate ideas, successes and stories regarding the Young Entrepreneur classes. The site can be accessed by all mentors and found by anyone with a computer and an internet connection. Once the mentors are comfortable with the idea of writing posts and making comments the blog can also become a gateway for students. Program sites may use it to keep up with the progress of the Warren Miller Freedom Foundation as a whole. The blog is meant to be both professional and fun so give it a try and let's see if this thing works.

Andrew Hosford
Mentor