Your Name (optional): Jeff M.Brown
Male/female: Male
City: Toronto
State/Province: Ontario
Country: Canada
Industry: Online Education and Business Training
Job: Social Entrepreneur
Company (Optional): TeachingKidsBusiness.com
Education:
High-school, College, Post Graduate – Business, Law, Marketing. As much education as possible to give you a broad perspective on business. A broader education can lead to broader career choices.
Training/experience required (years, other jobs):
Training – Start young and dream of your own social venture. Take on a variety of responsibilities throughout your life, to gain as much experience as possible. Gain valuable experience through reading, inquiring and observing.
Explain what you do:
I have worked in a number of industries to gain experience and an understanding of managing various businesses, different management approaches and a variety of business models. I have taken my broad base of business experience, my personal passion for my kids education, the use of the Internet and created something I believe in and enjoy doing. I teach kids business, by creating tools, experiences and facilitating community involvement in the TeachingKidsBusiness.com website. I don’t do it for money but for the sense of accomplishment and impact on kids.
Why should kids choose your career path?
A social venture is an initiative that you work on to give to or help people rather then make money from people. I encourage all kids to participate in philanthropy (helping other people) at some stage in your life. You will find it to be very rewarding, you will feel good that you have helped other people and you will meet very nice and interesting people along the way. Only do it when you have the time, patience and you can balance it with the other priorities in your life. I have scored big goals in sports, won tournaments and succeeded in businesses. The responses I have had from TeachingKidsBusiness.com and the impact the site has had on kids, is the best feeling yet. Try it because it puts a smile on your face that is certain to stay there for a long time. Make sure you participate in philanthropic activity for the right reasons, which is to help people and not to just say you have done it, to improve your profile, or your business in your community. Do it for other people and because you enjoy doing it..
What would you recommend career wise and how should kids approach/develop their preparation for a working life?
First of all, there is no right or wrong answer. Some careers are good for some and not for others. What was good for your Mom or Dad, may not be good for you. Once you understand this important point , then your approach becomes clear. Find out what works for you. Understand your talents and passions and then match them to a career. Also realize that a career can consist of several sub-careers. You can evolve your career so that you make a number of changes over time that make sense. Think of a professional athlete. It is highly unlikely that athletes will perform professionally at their career until they are 60 to 65. They will make changes for a number of reasons. Companies also go through various stages in growth that require different expertise in each career role. This may lead some people into making a career change. With respect to your preparation; start now. Don’t get stressed about what to be, but start to understand your options, what it will take to enter your career choice and understand how to succeed. The sooner you start to prepare for your career, the better prepared you will be and the more likely you will succeed..
Lessons learned:If you started all over again what would you do differently?
Business career wise, I was very fortunate and met my expectations early in life. I wish I would have given more thought to mapping out my career . In regard to my social entrepreneurial career perspective, I wish I would have done it about 5 years ago. I am also glad that I married after establishing my career,which allows me to balance my family life and career.
A favorite anecdote, phrase, or expression relating to business that inspires you:
- If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, then I acquire the ability to do it, even if I did not have the ability in the beginning.” By Mahatma Gandhi
- Business, a game that kids can play™! By Jeff M. Brown
- Sieze the day!
- Take it to the next level.
- How should we do it? What makes sense?
- Try your hardest.
- On a positive note…
- There are many great expressions in our Anecdotes section that you should review.
Other suggestions or relevant information you would communicate to kids regarding careers in general:
Plan your future at an early age. Try to be the best you can at what you want to be. For what you don’t have in I.Q., make up for it with your E.Q. (emotional quotient). The ability to work with people will be equally as important as how bright you are.