Are today's kids ready for the business world? Ask them and they'll probably say, "No." In a recent poll of high school students, for example, 85 percent reported they have been taught only "a little" or "practically nothing" about how business works. At the same time, more than 50 percent of U.S. employers report they cannot find qualified applicants for their most basic entry-level positions.
Surprised? So was Steve Morris. And when the former investment banker didn't like what he saw, he did something about it. KidsWay, Inc. was founded in Atlanta in 1994 to help youth prepare for the workplace of the 21st century. Morris believes that kids deserve hands-on business education.
"Young people today are not content to memorize facts and dates to pass tests," he says. "They want to know how the book knowledge relates to the real world."
To help kids discover that, Kidsway has created a series of services to give young people that experience. These services include:
KidsWay President's Club--Kids from eight to 18 have a framework to practice communication skills and salesmanship. Young people learn to set up a product delivery business in their neighborhood with the help of a KidsWay sales kit.
KidsWay Entrepreneur Club--This club provides information and services for kids who want to learn how to start a business. Young entrepreneurs learns to recognize and evaluate business opportunities, research and organize a plan, and market their own products and services in the community.
KidsWay Fundraising Program--These help schools, churches and community organizations earn money for a good cause.
KidsWay Retail Sites (opening soon)--The retail stores will be the nation's first sites and school-to-work training centers operated by teens. Young people who staff these stores will practice real-world business skills by giving product demonstrations, creating advertising aids, planning special events and overseeing daily operations.
Young Entrepreneur Magazine--The publication features reports and interviews with young people throughout the U.S. who are using their imagination to start their own businesses.
KidsWay Foundation Center for Youth Entrepreneurship (Houston, Texas)--A research center and library of the best resources, books, videos, tapes, curricula and learning aids for parents, teachers, teens and preteens who want more training in youth entrepreneurship. The center is staffed by Bonnie Drew, an author who has spent ten years writing youth entrepreneurship training manuals.
Additional KidsWay programs include three and five-day camps for young entrepreneurs, after-school learning centers and teacher training weekends.
"We don't have any throw-away kids," Morris says. "So we need to pitch in and work together to give our young people the training and support they need to be the skilled business and professional leaders of our communities."
Morris recently sat down for an interview to discuss the KidsWay and his vision for the future.
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Question: You were a successful business person on the way "up the ladder" in the corporate world. Why did you give that up to work with kids?
Morris: I was working in a corporate environment, but at heart, I'm an entrepreneur. I saw a lot of kids whose families couldn't support their needs. I also saw a lot of young people graduating from high school with no real way of earning a living. I could see that schools and other organizations weren't able to significantly change this situation. I wanted to share what I had learned in the corporate world with kids so they would know it's possible to overcome financial challenges. In order to do this, I started KidsWay to provide hands-on opportunities for young people. They can earn money, get business experience and prepare for the real world.
How did the concept for KidsWay develop from a single idea into a full-size company with national outreach?
At first, I simply tested my ideas by working with kids in Atlanta. I went out with the kids on sales calls, tested products, shared my business knowledge and asked kids what they liked and didn't like. I also spent a lot of time talking and listening to teachers, parents, and youth leaders. Once I had learned enough, I created a business plan. Then I went to successful investors I had known in the banking world and told them what I wanted to do for young people. They believed in my mission and provided the financial backing I needed to expand KidsWay nationally.
How many cities have KidsWay offices now?
Our corporate headquarters is in Atlanta, Georgia and our publishing division is in in Houston, Texas. We recently formed a new camp division of the company, based in New York City and directed by Scott Shickler, one of the nation's foremost youth entrepreneurship trainers. KidsWay is now in the process of opening 15 new locations in major cities across the U.S. Each of these will offer the day camps, after-school and summer classes, club meetings and leader training for educators.
Are there any scholarships available for those who can't afford these programs?
In 1997, we created the KidsWay Foundation for the purpose of assisting teens and preteens who otherwise do not have the means to participate in business training. Sponsorships are usually available for camp tuition, learning center tuition, magazine subscriptions, classroom entrepreneurship libraries and teacher trainings.
What is the big picture for the future of KidsWay?
My vision for KidsWay is a "one-stop shop" for business and career education. By enlisting other experts and leaders in the field of youth entrepreneurship on the KidsWay team, we're building a company that can serve the needs of thousands of youth across the U.S. and eventually the world. When a young person or educator thinks of entrepreneurship, we want them to think of KidsWay.
How can we keep up with what KidsWay is doing?
We have a website at www.kidsway.com where you can get information about all of our programs. Our toll-free phone number is 1-888-KidsWay (1-888-543-7929). We love hearing from people with questions and we'll be happy to mail information to anyone who calls.
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