I never really did well in school. In all honesty, I sucked at school. From an early age, I was extremely bored and did everything possible to get out of going. I always thought it was just me… other kids seemed to like it and do well. I was the odd one. I wasn’t dumb, I actually got good grades (when I showed up). My senior year I had a 3.66 GPA despite being “absent” over half the year. They didn’t like the part about me being absent all the time.
I always thought something was wrong with that. I had better grades than most of the students and spent only half the time there. Sure, if I was there every day I might have made a 4.0, but who cares? Is the difference between a 4.0 and a 3.66 really worth half a year?
You might say I was just lazy. Why spend all your time sitting in class when you can find better things to do? While others were sitting in class, I was learning to design, running a printing press, or something else I thought was interesting.
I didn’t do well in college either. By the time I graduated high school, I was already dabbling in different business ventures. My senior year I took an internship and the only thing that saved me was that my boss (one of the coolest bosses I’ve ever had) made it pretty simple… as long as I did my job and met my deadlines I could come and go as I pleased. No set hours.
I was in heaven. I would work until 3am some nights, and not show up for days. For a Fortune 500 company, this was odd to say the least. I think my boss got a good bit of push back from management when HR noticed my odd time logs. She didn’t care, I was getting the job done. After the internship was over I was offered a full-time job in another department, but it quickly turned downhill. I was expected to be there “8 to 5” and was punching a clock whether there was work to be done or not. I was miserable, and quit to start 2BigFeet.com shortly after that.
I started 2BigFeet and college at roughly the same time. It was obvious which I was more interested in, because I’d excuse myself from class to take calls from vendors or just miss class altogether because I was busy. It didn’t last long, and I left college after just over 2 years. (Side note: 2BigFeet just turned 10 years old in April)
I’ve always thought I was an oddity… I know I’m intelligent but I never quite fit in to the stereotypical mold. Society tells us to do well in school, go to college, and get a “good job.” I always thought that was bullshit… who wants to work for “the man” for 30 years and retire with nothing to show for it?
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought that way. I found this Ted talk by Cameron Herald about education and entrepreneurship. I got chills down my spine watching it. It’s nice to know there are others like me out there…
I know I’ll be giving a lot of thought to what I teach my children (now 4 and 6) about business, finances and entrepreneurship. They’re already earning money (I don’t believe in an allowance) and they’re required to save some and give some away. It’ll be interesting to see if they get the E-gene like I did.
If your children don’t fit the stereotypical mold in school, instead of disciplining them or labeling them as “ADHD” why not take a step back and think about how you can nurture their differences?
I ran into a friend the other day on campus and asked him how he was. He said he was changing his major from history (which he loves) to economics. I asked why and he told me there’s just more money in economics. How sad is it that he has to devote 3-4 years to a field he isn’t crazy about just because he needs the money? What kind of life is it to go to a place you hate for 8 hours a day, every day? I kept trying to tell him that if he just learns how to market himself and be smart about it, he could stay in history and still live a good, comfortable, and more fulfilling life.
They sure don’t teach the skills you NEED in school! :P People think you’re either born with the entrepreneurial spirit or you’re not. 3 years ago, I definitely would never think I could pull it off, but here I am! :) I think it’s so important to bestow your kids the skills and courage to pursue what you want. We tell our kids to follow their dreams yet we don’t tell them how.
Your kids are lucky and they’re going to be SO far ahead in the game. :) Thanks for posting this, Brandon. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Brandon,
I recently read “Rich Dad, Poor Dad,” and I think you’d love it (although it sounds like you’ve already read it)!
Thank you for sharing this!
Bravo Brandon,
Not sure how this happened but both you and I were inspired to write almost the same kind of blog post about the same TED Talk. You and I met recently at a local Atlanta ecommerce event. I heard you speak about the state of social media but only briefly mention your 2bigfeet.com business. Now that I know more about your journey to start 2bigfeet.com I am even more impressed. What is even more amazing is that I too have a 6 and a 4 year old and I am constantly trying to find ways for them to be more enterprising. I am so convince that what Cameron talked about should be taught in schools. Not in college but in grade school or maybe even before then. I look forward to the day that our kids get to see the world through the eyes of some of our great entrepreneurial leaders who were themselves misunderstood. Well that’s all I have for now. Keep up the great work.
All the best
JB
Without having watched the video (may try to do that later, have to make dinner), I definitely agree with what you’re saying, which you know. :) Heh. Everyone is different and we all have a different path. Yours was the one you took. It wasn’t always encouraged or nurtured, as you said, perhaps, but you made it through.
Mine was similar in many ways, except that being a homeschooler, I was afforded more flexibility, the flexibility I wanted and there wasn’t anyone to judge me or not like that I was “absent.” There was just my parents and they got it. That’s part of the beauty of being a homeschooler is that you can be different. In school, far too often, the rigidity of the system itself stifles that. But, parents can also undo that, if they wish, when the child is home.
The allowance thing is probably semantic. I’ve never met anyone that gave their son or daughter their allowance if they behaved badly or didn’t do their chores or what was asked of them. Maybe you have. I’m sure they exist (bad parents exist, after all). But, for most, I believe that allowance is something that children are paid when they do what is asked of them (whether or not it’s called allowance). That’s how my parents were, I know.
Nice post.
Patrick
@Havana – I definitely think schools need to re-evaluate their curriculum. There are lots of things they teach that honestly, doesn’t matter. And there are tons of very important subjects, like financial responsibility for instance, that they don’t even gloss over. When I graduated I didn’t even know how to reconcile a checkbook.
@Lindsay – I have read “Rich Dad, Poor Dad.”
@JB – That’s so weird! I saw the video mentioned on Twitter and watched it again (I originally saw it around the time it first came out). It’s incredible we both watched it at the same time and decided to write a post!
@Patrick – Yeah it’s mainly just how we go about implementing it. They have several chores on a chart on the refrigerator and if they make a certain amount of money for each chore. Some are everyday chores, some are weekly etc. If they do something really bad that’s on a specific list, we make them give back money. One week I think my daughter actually owed US money :)
Great post. I definitely agree with you, the schools should focus on things that really matter…
Gah! Not Rich Dad Poor Dad again! It’s full of illogical statements, outright illegal suggestions (insider trading), and “if you want to turn left…. first…. you must turn right” stuff that sounds deep at first glance but is actually nonsense. Entertaining read I would agree, but don’t believe a word of it. Rich Dad doesn’t even exist (as Kiyosaki admitted under pressure from an interviewer). Kiyosaki is also a creature of Amway, where pretend business owners (actually non-commissioned salespeople) flock to his “own your own business” talk, and made most of his money from book sales and related merchandise. There’s money to be made in telling people how to be rich (he has a $200 board game, seriously!).
Anna