I met Gerri Detweiler a couple of years ago at FinCon, the personal finance blogger conference I attend every year. It was so exciting to hear about her daughters amazing business over at Horse Crazy Girls. I immediately contacted Sydney and featured her over at TeensGotCents. Gerri’s experience with the media as a journalist will be particularly helpful to parents who want to help their teens leverage media coverage for their businesses. The conference is getting closer and closer and I cannot wait to meet you in June!
I am a journalist and educator who writes about personal finance and small business. I met Eva Baker at a conference for financial bloggers a few years ago and was struck by her poise, maturity and confidence. I knew immediately she would make a good role model for other teens, and soon after I had the opportunity to interview her for one of my columns.
I also happen to be a mom raising a teenpreneur. I’ve seen firsthand how having her own business has helped her go outside her comfort zone and do things she may have not tackled for years otherwise.
Last year, at that same conference where I had met Eva a couple of years prior, I was lamenting the fact that my daughter wasn’t there with me. (She’s a diligent student and didn’t want to miss that much school.) I commented that I wished there was a similar conference for teens.
Wish granted! Not long after that, Eva told me she was organizing one, and I immediately made plans for both of us to attend. I will be speaking at the conference about getting media attention and online safety, and my daughter will be participating as well. I can’t wait to connect with and learn from other parents who are raising entrepreneurial children. I expect that we’re going to see some amazing friendships forged, along with businesses launched and boosted.
For parents who are wondering whether this will be worth attending, the answer is yes! Your kids are going to need to learn these skills to compete in our new economy. They need to be there to see what’s possible and make long-lasting connections. If you’re suffering a little FOMO (fear of missing out) right now, take it as a sign you need to sign up. I am confident you won’t regret it.
Hope to see you in June!
Gerri
