Be brave and become your own boss as part of the Barefoot kids summer challenge

If you want to become a boss like Ava, who made $700 in two months selling flowers at her roadside stall, you can - just follow the steps in the Barefoot Kids summer challenge series.

Welcome back to week three of the Barefoot Kids School Holiday Challenge! You’re well on your way to becoming a Barefoot Kid. By this point, you will have set up your money buckets, started doing some jobs around the house, and gotten paid for it! Now that you’re raring to go and ready to fill up your money buckets as fast as you can, we’re going to move onto the most exciting step in Barefoot Kids. In this step, you’re not only learning to become a Barefoot Kid, but a Barefoot Boss. So if you’re tired of waiting around for payday and want to really make some dough, read on.

Be the Boss

This step is the one that everyone gets excited about. You’re going to do something really cool - that is start your very own business!

Now for the fun part, coming up with your big idea.

There are plenty of ideas out there for a bright kid like you but if you’re feeling stuck sometimes it helps to look at what other kids are doing for some ideas. Like the Barefoot Kids.

Barefoot Kids has become a bestseller.

Now, it’s great to have an exciting idea, but it pays to prepare and think things through.

Firstly, you want to start with something that’s easy. Remember, you can always move onto a harder business as your confidence grows.

Second, and this is really important: make sure you’re doing something you love . . . because you’re going to be doing a lot of it!

If you haven’t come up with any ideas yet, don’t worry . . . I’ll help you brainstorm a few options.

Soon you’ll be buzzing with your own business idea, and dying to bring it to life!

Like a boss!

Ask for help

Next up is the really important part: find people who can help you get started. The more advice you ask for and the more research you do, the easier and quicker you can turn your idea into reality.

Everyone needs help when they start out. (Plus, most people are going to be totally stoked that you asked them for help).

First, think of all the things you’ll need help with. Start with these and make your own list:

● setting up a website or online shop

● ordering supplies

● finding customers

● packaging and postage

● getting to places

Now think about people you know who have the skills or experience and time to help you. Perhaps a friend of your parents already has an online shop. Or perhaps your family can help with packing orders. Find experts and watch their YouTube videos.

My step-by-step SIX P PLAN means it is super simple to become a Barefoot Boss.

All you need to do is answer six questions and out will pop your very own business plan. Let’s go through the questions one by one.

Your Six P Plan.

PARENTS:

Have your parents given their approval?

It’s really important to get your parents’ permission before you start your business. You’re probably going to need their help, and maybe even a loan from them, so it pays to ask their permission first.

PEOPLE:

Who can help you get started?

Starting a business can feel really overwhelming. But you don’t need to do it on your own. You’ve made a list of all the people who can help you (parents, family friends and other experts), so ask them for help!

PRODUCT:

What are you going to sell?

This is pretty simple. Depending on the business you’ve chosen, you’re either going to be a ‘maker’ (making stuff) or a ‘doer’ (doing stuff). So if you’re mowing lawns you’re selling lawn mowing services. If you’re selling slime, it’s boogers.

PRICE:

How much are you going to sell it for?

Most kids sell their stuff or their services way too cheap. Have a go at setting your own price, but show it to your chosen experts. They’ll be able to tell you whether it’s the right price.

PROMOTION:

How are you going to get the word out?

Will you get your parents to do a social media post? Perhaps create a flyer and do a letterbox drop in your neighbourhood? Or maybe you’ll make some posters?

PLACE:

Where are you going to do it?

This one is pretty simple. If you are a maker, are you going to set up a stand in your driveway, sell at a local market or open an online shop? If you’re a doer, will your service be local or online?

Scott Pape's business plan for kids.

Congratulations!

You’re the boss! If I was standing next to you, I’d give you a fist bump.

By getting to this point, you’re way, way ahead of most other kids your age.

Most businesses only hire older kids. Fast food joints like McDonald’s and KFC will only hire you once you’re 14. And supermarkets like Woolies and Coles will make you wait another year . . . till you turn 15.

Let me tell you a little secret: most teenagers who apply for their first part-time job feel really nervous, because they have ZERO experience. Not you. You’re brave. You’re organised. You’re confident and you know how to talk to people. You are the boss of your OWN BUSINESS!

You’ll have Ronald McDonald in a McFlurry to hire you, because you’ll be the one kid with oodles of experience!

Meet Ava, 7, she’s a Barefoot Kid

Nana and I came up with a very cool business idea. We could cut flowers from some old protea bushes on our farm and put them at the end of the road at a stall with an honesty box for people to pay. Proteas are popular!

I made a sign from an old blackboard: ‘Ava’s Flowers, $5 per bunch’ and put out five bunches on the first day.

Mum put a photo on Instagram to announce we were open for business.

Dad was worried that no-one would buy my flowers because we live on a very quiet country road. He said, ‘Don’t be too disappointed if you don’t sell any flowers, love. It’s great just to have a go.’

I was so excited to get off the school bus that afternoon and check my honesty box. There was $25 waiting for me. I’d completely sold out!

Ava, 7, is a Barefoot Kid.

At the start the hardest thing for me was having to wait for the adults to cut the proteas for me, because I didn’t have my own secateurs – they’re like strong scissors for cutting stems of plants. But I got my very own pink secateurs, so now I can cut my own. It takes me around six hours each week to prepare everything, and check the flowers at the end of the driveway every morning and night.

My parents are definitely proud of me. I’ve learnt that you have to work hard on your business to get the prize. Some businesses sell proteas for $5 a stem but I wanted to keep mine at $1 a stem so that people could afford them. If they can’t, there will be less customers and less happy people.

It’s so exciting to check my sales when I get off the school bus each day. In two years, no-one has been dishonest! We sell out most days at $5 a bunch. I like making people happy with my flowers and I’m really proud that I get to brighten people’s day. I love taking orders . . . people stop me in the supermarket, after school, all around town.

In eight weeks I made $700! I’m investing part of it in the share market.

A Note to Parents and Grandparents ...

Maybe the idea of setting up shop is a little overwhelming for your kids?

Or perhaps you have a tween or teen who just isn’t into the idea.

Well, you’re not completely out of options.

Did you know Aussies pay a staggering $11.6bn in ‘lazy tax’ each year by not shopping around for better deals on household expenses?

Managing your money is all about confidence and you’re about to teach your kid some.

Here’s how we’re going to do it. You’re going to be lazy each time you get any of the following bills: electricity, gas, phone and internet, car and home insurance.

How? You’re simply going to hand it to your kid, and challenge them to research and negotiate a better deal for you, not only that, you’re going to pay them a commission for every dollar they can save you!

First, print out your bill.

Circle your account number, the bill amount and the time period.

Then write down how long you’ve been a loyal customer (guesstimate if you have to).

Then, do some quick research.

Barefoot Kids author Scott Pape. Picture: David Geraghty

Give the bill to your teen and have them do a quick search online to find a cheaper deal. I’d start with your electricity bill, because there can be some good savings there.

Can you switch your electricity retailer?

Yes, if you live in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia or South East Queensland.

No, if you live in Tasmania, the Northern Territory, or most parts of Western Australia (in which case you may still be able to save on your gas bill instead).

So, when it comes to electricity research, direct your teen to the government website Energy Made Easy (www.energymadeeasy.gov.au).

Apparently less than 10 per cent of the population have heard of this website, according to the Australian Energy Market Commission. So think of Energy Made Easy like an underground nightclub no one knows about, where cool indie bands play incognito and you can get loaded really cheap.

After punching in the basic details (gleaned from the bill), your teen will be presented with a list of offers—up to three at the same time.

Once they’ve found a good offer, they can read and print an energy price fact sheet from the Energy Made Easy website summarising the key points.

When I did this switch a while ago myself, I saved $500 a year.

Your teenager may be able to save more, or perhaps less.

Either way, it’s a good deal for you, and a total money spinner for them if you’re paying them a commission. The purpose of this activity is to build your kid’s confidence.

Finally, each time a bill comes in you should give your teen a chance to flex their negotiating muscles.

In fact, if you’ve done it right they’ll be salivating at your mailbox, waiting for the next opportunity!

Ker-ching!

Dear Scott,

My son Adries in year 4 doesn’t read... He HATES it, and struggles with it. Barefoot Kids came in the mail today and the kids were ecstatic to get their books. This won’t last I thought, wait until they open it... My son’s been reading non-stop since after school! Next to the footy field while we were playing Oztag, while walking to the car and in the car!! I never thought the day would come I’d see my kids excited about a book! (Added bonus that it’s a book that will have an impact - jackpot!).Thank you so much!

Regards

Hanlie de Klerk

Andries with his Barefoot Kids book.

Kids Q&A

Q: I don’t think my parents will let me start a business. What should I do?

A: I think they will definitely let you. In fact, let me tell you why: Because you’re going to learn loads of stuff. And because they’ll be insanely proud of you!

Q: I don’t have any money to set up my shop, or pay for ingredients.

A: Many Barefoot Bosses kick-started their business by getting a small loan from their parents or grandparents. They paid it back when they made some sales. You could even draw up an agreement and sign it! Or use your SAVE bucket for kick-starter funds.

Q: I’m scared of talking to customers.

A: I totally understand, and this is one of the biggest benefits of becoming a Barefoot Boss: you’re going to become very brave! Just remember S.E.A. (Smile, Eye Contact, Ask Questions) and you’ll be amazed at how quickly your confidence grows.

Next Week

Did you know the kids featured in my book have all sat where you are right now?

They have brainstormed and planned to create something new and exciting that is totally theirs.

They went on to create their very own businesses and are now having the EPIC adventure of a lifetime. What’s really cool about these kids is they are inspiring others. Just as you will.

So get cracking on your SIX P PLAN and you’ll see how easy it is to become a Barefoot Boss.

Next week, the final week, we’ll look at how to grab a Barefoot Bargain!.

Originally published as Be brave and become your own boss as part of the Barefoot kids summer challenge