This afternoon, I attended the Kiddopreneur event at the Glorietta Mall in Manila. This is an event where kids can be entrepreneurs! It is a venue where children are exposed to the nuances of business and entrepreneurship first hand.
I thought it might be the regular school exhibition type of products on sale but I was so blown away by the kiddopreneurs who had booths with some very innovate products for sale. The items ranged from caterpillars in glass bottles to food stuff, there was Tara who sold her handmade wallets using duct tape.
Another booth which caught my attention was The Juantrepreneurs (their surname is “Juan”) which sold the Kiddie Entrep Bank. It’s a savings bank (Piggy Bank) which was available in the shape of a piggy, a London double decker bus and the Jeepney (the common mode of transport here in the Philippines). The Kiddie Entrep Bank has four slots to save money, which are labeled EARN, SAVE, INVEST and DONATE.
The Juantrepreneurs were just awesome with their customer service and salesmanship! I was really struck by Little Mr. Max Juan. He spoke with confidence, had detailed product knowledge. He handed me his calling card and later gave one to my wife, Michelle who told him we have one. He said take this one just in case you lose it! His older brother dressed up in a matching waist coat as Max with their brand logo, was able to explain to me how the savings bank worked. Their cousins (sisters) make up the team at The Juantrepreneurs and they explained to me the other products on offer. I was so impressed by their skill and style. Later on, I found out they won the best customer service and best concept at the end of the day-long event and even in the past years, they have been consistently winning the best customer service award.
I am happy to see the enterprising zeal displayed by all the kids. But most importantly, it’s the support of their parents and older siblings for their creative ideas that encouraged these kids to think like entrepreneurs from a young age. I guess it is time The Rodinhoods adds a chapter for this, maybe Aarini can lead it, what say Asha?
asha chaudhry
hey kaizad,
thanks so much for sharing this awesome event with us!!
a jr version of trhs has been on our minds for college kids but we really need more hands and legs to make this possible!
priyadeep (gyan lab) works closely with kids – i think such startups could probably initiate this. but yes, encouraging kids from childhood is a great way of bringing out the inventor in them and giving their creativity a larger window.
last year aarini wanted to be a tattoo artist and start her own studio (she carried her tattoo pens to the OH in sept 2013 – now she’s into paper art and painting! i wouldn’t be surprised though if she becomes a foodpreneur some day (considering we’re major foodies and love watching cooking shows!!! and there is a huge opportunity in goa :))))
Kaizad Patel
Hi Asha,
I am sure Aarini would do well in any entrepreneurial venture… food biz is always exciting! I can always be the consultant. 🙂
asha chaudhry
ps: love how you’ve coined ‘The Juantrepreneurs’ and the 4 different slots seem to be an amazing kaizen!!