As an entrepreneur who learn the ropes early  –  I started helping the family business when I was 9, and my entrepreneur father would bring me to meetings especially since he considered business partners as family friends, and thus would always bring me to some meetings, as well as talking business over the dinner table, I encourage really that there is much to learn in this.

I am aware that certain people advocate never to bring business to the house, especially your problem and stresses, but then if you wish that your children when grown up will be entrepreneurial, this really cannot be avoided, nor is it wise to avoid.  We see that we work hard enough in the office, and then must make sure that activities in the house be limited to personal or family endeavors is fine, but then this is the strict ‘corporate’ way that hardly encourages entrepreneurship.

I have constantly been asked why most people of Chinese origin were entrepreneurial, and there is really just one answer.  Most Chinese outside of China migrated because of hard economic times in China during the 19th and 20th century.  When they reach their new land, they were not conversant with local language and local culture, so the only way to make a living was to be in business.  When the family was in business, the kids had to help out by necessity( whether it was a laundry, restaurant, or grocery business for which many Chinese did).  Besides, there was no choice.  The place of business was also the house, and the kids play or help out in the store because that was where they lived!  

Entrepreneurial normally means that it is difficult to separate your life and your business ( I come from that heritage, and that is why I always said that my life has always been a business driven one).

My finances are much better off now and the kids can afford not to work.  But I feel the best legacy I can leave them are the lessons of managing a business which I feel are as important as the many subjects in school.  Other than ocassionally sharing feelings, or insights of how a business does, there are many ways to encourage entrepreneurship.  Of course, you don’t want to share your stress, or your frustrations, so you have to be careful how you interact with them, especially after a stressful day in the office.

Entrepreneurship can be learned mainly through observation and interaction, and I try my best to involve the kids on this.  Here are some of the games I play with them to encourage them to interact as well as observe:

1.) When we are out on the car, we usually play the  guess what time we will arrive.  So when all the children are in the car, I tell them. OK, we are going to your grandfather’s house.  It is now 11:55 pm.  Guess what time we will be there?  Theyw ill now think how far the house is, and the traffic situation, and one will guess 12:06, the other will guess 12:08 and so on.

2.) To get the boredom out of travelling, we also play How Many can you Spot?  Like who will be the first to spot 10 units of Ford E150 Vans.  Or first 10 units of Toyota Camry Cars.  Or the one who can spot the most yellow cab taxis, or cars with plate numbers starting with Z, or ending with 0.

Simple games like this can train them to be astute observers.  After all, seeing something what is not there is one of the primary skills a good entrepreneur should have!

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