As a parent, watching your child struggle can be one of the hardest things to witness. My daughter Alosia faced learning difficulties in her early school years, often coming home in tears, upset and frustrated by concepts she didn’t understand. Despite our best efforts, those first two years were filled with challenges that seemed insurmountable. Yet, as a parent, I could see her strengths shining in areas outside of traditional academics. Determined to help her see those strengths too, I decided to approach her learning journey differently—through the lens of entrepreneurship.
Starting the Journey: Understanding Her Interests
The first step was understanding what truly interested her. While I had observed her natural creativity and love for hands-on activities, I wanted her to voice her own strengths. This not only gave her ownership of the process but also helped her recognise and articulate what she was good at.
During our conversations, Alosia shared her passion for arts and crafts and her enjoyment of making things. She loved creating and was particularly drawn to jewellery and colourful designs. This insight became the foundation for our plan.
Creating a Simple Plan
Together, we created a straightforward plan to turn her passion into a small project. We explored Pinterest for inspiration, looking at various creative activities she could try. After much excitement and discussion, Alosia decided to make key wristlets and keychains—a blend of functionality and creativity that appealed to her.
Our plan was simple but structured:
Gather materials: We purchased colorful beads, cords, and keyring hardware.
Set goals: Alosia decided to make ten pieces initially to test her designs.
Explore creativity: She experimented with patterns and styles, combining colours and shapes in ways that expressed her personality.
Putting the Plan Into Action
The next step was bringing her vision to life. We set up a small workspace at home where she could create her keychains. I guided her through basic techniques but let her take charge of the designs. Watching her focus and pride in her work was incredible. She began to see her own potential and the value of her creations.
To take the project further, Alosia decided to share her work with her class. With her teacher’s full support, her business was highlighted during news time. This was a pivotal moment for her—seeing her classmates admire her work and hearing their positive feedback boosted her confidence significantly.
Immediate Results
The impact of this experience was immediate and profound:
Increased Confidence: Owning a business at a young age gave Alosia the confidence to share her ideas and creations more freely. She began to take pride in her abilities and was eager to tackle new challenges.
Positive Self-Talk: Alosia shifted from tears and frustration to a willingness to give things a go. She started using positive affirmations and encouraging herself to keep trying, even when things were difficult.
Recognition: Fast forward to the end of the year, Alosia received a Diligence Award at the school prize-giving ceremony. This recognition further validated her hard work and dedication, reinforcing her belief in her capabilities.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
Through this experience, Alosia learned more than just crafting and entrepreneurship. She discovered the power of perseverance, creativity, and problem-solving. When a design didn’t work as planned, she learned to adjust and try again. When choosing colours and patterns, she practiced decision-making and planning. Most importantly, she gained confidence in her abilities and pride in her accomplishments.
As a parent, this journey taught me the importance of meeting kids where they are and nurturing their unique strengths. Entrepreneurship was a vehicle to restore Alosia’s confidence, but it also provided her with lifelong skills that extend far beyond crafting keychains.
A note of encouragement
If your child is facing challenges, consider exploring entrepreneurship as a way to unlock their potential. Start small, focus on their interests, and let them take the lead. The lessons they’ll learn—from resilience to creativity—will be invaluable as they grow.
Alosia’s story is just one example of how entrepreneurship can transform a child’s mindset. It’s not about the size of the venture; it’s about the growth, confidence, and joy they find along the way. Who knows? Their small project today might inspire a future filled with big dreams and possibilities.
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