Want to know something cool about entrepreneurship? It’s hereditary. True story. There is considerable research that supports the idea that entrepreneurs are raised in homes where at least one parent is self-employed. It makes sense. When kids grow up watching hard work and creativity lead to results, it can lay the foundation for great things ahead.

However, there are many ways to demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit to your kids, even if someone else signs your paycheques. Encouraging kids to dream up and start small ventures even at young ages can be great for fostering independence, confidence, and work ethic. The added benefit is that kids love dreaming up names, price lists, and signage for their businesses.

On the other hand, in a culture where our kids have so much already, there can be something off-putting about letting our kids hustle for dollars from friends, family, and neighbours. Fear not, there is a great solution. Plan Canada’s Pink LemonAid program gives kids the opportunity to nurture their inner entrepreneur while doing some serious good for others.  

Pink LemonAid was launched in 2010 to raise funds for Plan Canada’s Because I am a Girl campaign. We love and support Because I am a Girl. Plan Canada knows that while girls in impoverished areas have it harder than just about anyone on the planet, investing in girls provides the biggest bang for donated bucks. Educated girls, when they earn an income, will reinvest on average 90% of it into their families. According to Plan, secondary education for girls in sub-Sahara Africa could save as many as 1.8 million lives annually.

Girls in extreme poverty have indeed been handed lemons, so the idea of our much luckier kids making lemonade to help them is brilliant. We’ll be hosting Pink LemonAid stands with our kids this summer, and while we’ll enjoy watching them learn about marketing, customer service and making change, what we’ll love more is the early lesson in social entrepreneurship they’ll be getting.

Let’s face it. Our kids have a lot.