Mike Farris:
My guest this week is Linda Raasch, a mom with a vision for teaching kids about financial responsibility and entrepreneurship. Linda, welcome to the program.

Linda Raasch:
Mike, thanks for having me.

Mike:
Linda, your family, ever since I’ve known you, has really been involved in entrepreneurship. Tell our listeners how it started with your kids.

Linda:
Sure. Wanting to light that fire of ambition in my children at an early age was extremely important to me as a parent. It became my goal to encourage them in understanding the workings behind setting up their own business. I wanted them to learn the true value of a dollar by actually working hard to earn it. And, quite honestly, many in their social group had no grasp of where money came from. I did not want this for my kids.

Nine years ago, I’d say, on a 4th of July, I helped them open their first lemonade stand, when my four children were 10 and under. My two daughters merchandized baked goods and drinks. When customers asked why they were earning money, my daughters replied they were entrepreneurs. The response was extremely encouraging and positive, and this has led to about nine years of lemonade stands. And last summer they made $1,400 in one day.

Mike:
Holy cow! I think I’m going to start a lemonade stand! That’s great! We’ll be back with Linda all this week to talk about entrepreneurship with your children. I’m Mike Farris.