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Entrepreneurial Kids: How to Teach Purpose and Success

Enterprise For KidsTeam Mindset, Confidence & Leadership, Raising Entrepreneurial Kids June 29, 2013May 20, 2026beach volleyball, Enterprising teens, entrepreneurial kids, goal setting for kids, mindset for success, natalie cook, purpose for kids, raising entrepreneurial kids, success mindset, young entrepreneurs 6 Comments

Natalie Cook diving for the ball at the Sydney Olympics beach volleyball final

Entrepreneurial kids need more than a good idea or a burst of enthusiasm — they need a strong sense of purpose that helps them keep going when the path becomes difficult.

This lesson became very clear to me after hearing Olympic gold medallist Natalie Cook speak in Perth. Natalie is a five-time Olympian and one of Australia’s most inspiring beach volleyball champions. Her message about success, purpose and the mindset of high achievers was powerful not only for athletes, but also for parents raising entrepreneurial kids.

Natalie Cook gold medallist sharing lessons for entrepreneurial kids — Natalie Cook, Olympic gold medallist, shared powerful lessons about purpose and success.

Why Entrepreneurial Kids Need a Strong Purpose

Natalie Cook is a wonderful example of the connection between sport, business and personal success. She won Olympic gold with Kerri Pottharst at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and went on to become a respected speaker, leader and businesswoman. You can read more about her Olympic journey on the Australian Olympic Committee’s Natalie Cook profile.

When Natalie spoke in Perth, she explained that professional athletes and successful business owners have many things in common. Both need discipline, courage, focus and the ability to keep moving towards a goal, even when the obstacles are real.

Her message was captivating, humorous and very useful for cultivating a mindset for success in entrepreneurial kids — and, just as importantly, in their adult counterparts.

Natalie Cook’s Five Ps for Success

Natalie built her talk around what she called the Five Ps. These were principles that could apply to children, athletes, families and business owners alike.

Over a series of posts, I wanted to share these Five Ps and connect them to the way we raise enterprising, confident and purpose-driven children. I will also be adding one extra “P” of my own at the end. After hearing Natalie’s five, I wonder if you can guess what mine might be.

For this first part, we begin with one of the most important foundations of all.

Entrepreneurial Kids and the Power of Purpose

A person who truly reaches for success has a mindset that carries with it a very strong “Why,” or purpose.

Your “Why” must be stronger than your “Why not?”

If it is not, you may not have enough purpose to muster up the will to make your goals happen when barriers appear. A strong purpose gives children something deeper to hold onto. It turns a vague wish into a reason to keep trying.

Your “Why” has to be specific and close to the heart. It does not need to be complicated.

A friend of mine is driven to succeed because she desperately wants her mum to be happy and not have to work anymore. Another wants to buy a villa in Tuscany so that she can reconnect with her Italian family roots and create a sense of belonging.

These “Whys” are very different from saying, “Why not?” They are clear purposes, not poor explanations.

Teaching Purpose to Kids Through Real Conversations

Your “Why” will often come from one of two emotions: pain or pleasure. Usually, pain is the stronger of the two.

Think about the rags-to-riches stories we often hear about well-known success mentors and creators such as JK Rowling, Colonel Sanders, Sylvester Stallone, Walt Disney, Steve Jobs, Susan Boyle and Richard Branson. Their difficult experiences helped shape a strong “Why,” and that purpose became part of what carried them forward.

For entrepreneurial kids, this does not mean they need to experience hardship before they can succeed. It means they need to understand what matters to them. They need to begin asking deeper questions about contribution, growth, family, freedom, creativity and the kind of life they want to build.

Cathy and Trevor with Natalie Cook after a talk about purpose and success — Amy, Cathy, Natalie, Tracey, Kym and Trevor after Natalie Cook’s inspiring talk.

I recently carried out a “Why” exercise with my son, Jai.

We had just returned from a career pathway meeting for his upcoming senior class. Every pathway the school presented seemed to end in landing a j-o-b — just-over-broke. Whether the route was through university, technical school or straight into the average 40-year career, the end result sounded much the same.

There was nothing for an enterprising teen to really grab hold of.

Worse still, because the students were nearing the end of high school, the pressure was on to make a choice. It felt like a limited choice, based on hastily presented ideas rather than a deeply considered purpose.

The result was confusion. Jai seemed torn between going to university with his mates because it sounded like fun, or leaving school with his cousin and going to make money in the mines.

This inconsistency told me that Jai’s “Whys” for both of these career paths were too vague.

Questions That Help Entrepreneurial Kids Find Their Why

So, we got to work.

We discussed why these two ideas sounded interesting to him. We talked about the difference between a strong “Why” and a casual “Why not?” We also explored why “Why not?” is unlikely to carry a person through the hard parts of either choice.

Then I asked Jai to ponder three questions:

How do you want to contribute to this world?
How do you want to grow as a person?
How do you want to be remembered when you pass?

These are big questions for a teenager. In fact, they are big questions for adults too.

But they matter.

If we want to raise entrepreneurial kids who can think for themselves, create opportunities and build meaningful lives, we need to help them move beyond surface-level choices. We need to help them understand what drives them.

Purpose Comes Before the Plan

Many children are asked what job they want before they are asked what kind of life they want.

They are asked what subjects they will choose before they are asked what they care about.

They are asked which pathway they will follow before they have had time to discover the purpose behind the pathway.

This is why purpose matters so much. A plan without purpose can become a list of tasks. Purpose gives the plan energy, direction and meaning.

For entrepreneurial kids, purpose is not just about making money. It is about knowing why they want to create, serve, solve, build, lead or contribute in the first place.

Next, we continue the journey in Part 2: People and Passion, where we explore how the right people and passions can help shape entrepreneurial kids and enterprising teens.

Natalie Cook’s Five Ps Series

This article is Part 1 in our series on Natalie Cook’s Five Ps for helping entrepreneurial kids and enterprising teens develop purpose, people, passion, perseverance, planning and a mindset for success.

Part 1: Purpose — you are here
Part 2: People and Passion
Part 3: Perseverance
Part 4: Plan and a Kids Mindset for Success

Where to Next?

We are always looking for feedback on our entrepreneurial kids articles. What is your “Why”? Leave a comment and share the purpose that keeps you moving forward.

Enterprising Teens: People, Passion and Success

Enterprise For KidsTeam Mindset, Confidence & Leadership, Raising Entrepreneurial Kids June 4, 2013May 20, 2026Enterprising teens, entrepreneurial kids, goal setting for teens, mentors for kids, mindset for success, natalie cook, people and passion, raising entrepreneurial kids, success mindset, young entrepreneurs 4 Comments

Jai thinking about people and passion as an enterprising teen

Enterprising teens need more than a career pathway or a good business idea — they need the right people around them and a passion strong enough to keep them moving forward.

After my son Jai and I discussed the first of Natalie Cook’s Five Ps, Purpose, I asked him to make a timeline of his life. I wanted him to focus on his surroundings, but more importantly, on the people who would be with him.

Jai thinking about the people and passions that support enterprising teens — Jai thinking about the people and passions that could help shape his enterprising teen journey.

Why Enterprising Teens Need the Right People

Natalie Cook’s second P is People.

Attracting the right people in life is key to building a successful young entrepreneur. But whether Jai chose to be an enterprising teen or follow a different path, what mattered most to me was his mindset for success in whatever direction he chose.

So, I asked him to imagine where he would like to be sitting five years from now — and with whom.

Then ten years from now.

Then forty years from now.

I asked him to picture what was around him, who his associates were, and what made those people so valuable to him that their presence would still be visible in his future decades later.

What Natalie Cook Taught About People and Success

Natalie Cook’s career is a powerful example of what the right people, passion and support can help create. Her official Olympic profile describes her as a five-time Olympian and Olympic gold and bronze medallist in beach volleyball, making her a strong real-world role model for enterprising teens. Read more about Natalie Cook’s Olympic journey here.

Natalie discussed the value of surrounding herself with the right people while training to become an Olympic gold medallist. Around her were coaches, mindset mentors, professionals and peers whose encouragement lifted her up rather than criticism that tore her down.

This is a powerful lesson for enterprising teens.

The people around our children influence how they think, what they believe is possible, and the standards they quietly begin to accept for themselves. Friends, mentors, coaches, teachers, family members and business role models can all shape a child’s confidence and direction.

As parents, we cannot choose every influence our children will meet. But we can help them become more conscious of the people they allow close to them.

Helping Enterprising Teens Choose Positive Influences

It is important for enterprising teens to spend time with the sort of people they would like to learn from, grow with and, in some ways, emulate.

This goes beyond simple peer pressure. Children and teenagers absorb attitudes, habits, language, confidence and expectations from the people around them. If they are constantly surrounded by people who complain, criticise or limit possibility, that can become their normal.

But if they are surrounded by people who encourage, create, question, build, serve and keep learning, that can also become their normal.

This does not mean they need to abandon old friends or judge others harshly. It simply means they can learn to ask better questions:

Who encourages me to become better?
Who helps me believe more is possible?
Who lives with values I respect?
Who makes me feel more confident, creative and capable?
Who would I love to learn from?

These are not just business questions. They are life questions.

Enterprising Teens Learn Success by Helping People

One of the things I love about business and enterprise is that, at its heart, it is about people.

It does not matter whether the enterprise is large or small. It could be a child’s first market stall, a family business, a service project, a creative idea, or a future company. When young people learn to be genuinely helpful to others, their chances of success increase.

Helping people gives enterprising teens and adults an energy that attracts the right people into their lives. It teaches them that business is not only about making money. It is also about solving problems, creating value and building relationships.

This is a lesson children can begin learning very early.

Why Passion Matters for Enterprising Teens

Natalie Cook’s third P is Passion.

People are naturally attracted to those who have passion for what they do. Passion gives energy to an idea. It helps a young person keep going when the excitement wears off and the work begins.

Natalie has spoken about the importance of loving the process, not just the outcome. That is a valuable message for enterprising teens, because the process is where most of the growth happens.

Success is not only found in the final result. It is found in the practice, the learning, the mistakes, the conversations, the courage and the small daily decisions that eventually become a life.

Jai wanted something he could stick with for the long term.

Having him visualise himself, his surroundings and his companions far into the future helped him reach a place that felt more connected to his own passion. It was something apart from what others were expecting of him. It was a desire that felt less likely to fade with time.

His spirit was guiding him, rather than the social conditioning of school, friends and family.

People and Passion Come Before the Pathway

This is one of the problems I see with the way many teenagers are asked to make career decisions.

They are often asked to choose a pathway before they have deeply considered the people they want around them, the kind of contribution they want to make, and the passions that might sustain them over time.

For enterprising teens, this matters.

A pathway without people can feel lonely.

A pathway without passion can become heavy.

But when a young person begins to understand who inspires them, who strengthens them, and what lights them up from the inside, their decisions become clearer.

That does not mean every choice becomes easy. It means the choices begin to come from a deeper place.

Natalie Cook’s Five Ps Series

This article is Part 2 in our series on Natalie Cook’s Five Ps for helping entrepreneurial kids and enterprising teens develop purpose, people, passion, perseverance, planning and a mindset for success.

Part 1: Purpose
Part 2: People and Passion — you are here
Part 3: Perseverance
Part 4: Plan and a Kids Mindset for Success

Where to Next?

If you could enlist three people in the world to personally be your friend and mentor, who would they be? Mine would be Richard Branson, Robert Kiyosaki and Michael Clouse. Leave us a comment and share who would be on your list.

Justin Herald… A Most Unusual Millionaire!

Enterprise For KidsTeam Mindset, Confidence & Leadership April 14, 2013April 30, 2026attitude business, business lessons for kids, confidence for kids, entrepreneur story, entrepreneurial mindset, inspiring entrepreneurs, justin herald, raise entrepreneurial kids 6 Comments

Justin Herald entrepreneur story to inspire kids

Justin Herald has the kind of entrepreneur story that can really capture kids’ attention. It is bold, unusual, funny and full of lessons about attitude, confidence, persistence and giving an idea a crack.

This story impressed our kids because it shows that success does not always come from perfect school results or following the expected path. Sometimes, the spark is attitude, action and the courage to try something different.

Justin Herald entrepreneur story with cars and business success — Justin Herald with his toys!

Justin Herald: A Story That Will Impress Your Kids

This story will impress your kids. It certainly impressed ours.

There is also a little lesson in it for them.

It demonstrates that it is not necessarily only what children learn at school that brings future success. Sometimes, attitude, initiative, confidence and the willingness to take action can become powerful ingredients in a person’s life.

That is why stories like this are useful when we are trying to raise entrepreneurial kids. They help children see that business is not just about money. It is also about ideas, people, problem-solving and courage.

The Entrepreneur X Factor Event

Last week my friend Gary and I attended an unusual business event in Fremantle called Entrepreneur X Factor. We really did not know what to expect.

On arriving, it was immediately apparent that there was tremendous energy in the room. People were friendly, engaging and full of ideas. Successful entrepreneurs Mike Handcock and Dave Rogers ran the show, along with multi-millionaire guest speakers.

People from the event:

Mike Handcock at Entrepreneur X Factor business event — Mike Handcock

Dave Rogers at Entrepreneur X Factor business event — Dave Rogers

Dr Joe winner at Entrepreneur X Factor business event — Dr Joe

Why the Event Was So Unusual

There were two parts to the event.

The first sessions were all about Quantum Business, which was definitely not your normal run-of-the-mill business focus. After lunch, there was an exciting competition where participants stood up in front of the audience and publicly presented their business idea or concept.

The audience judged the event. Budding entrepreneurs, seeking big business support, were scored on their one-minute presentations. The competition was similar to the TV show The Lion’s Den. Investors were in the room looking to partner with the winner and help them grow their idea.

It was exciting and a little tense. The winner was a guy called Dr Joe.

I could share more about the Entrepreneur X Factor competition and the insights around Quantum Business, but the main purpose of this post is to share a story that will impress your kids.

The First Impression of Justin Herald

So here goes.

There was this tattooed guy in the room dressed in a checked shirt and jeans. He had a goatee and shaven head, wore a black choker necklace and earrings, and described himself as a self-proclaimed bogan who loved hotted-up cars.

This unusual character was introduced as Justin Herald. I had heard the name before, but could not quite remember where I had heard it.

Justin was one of the guest speakers. He came to the front to share his experience and offer some valued advice to us all. He told us the story of how he built a multimillion-dollar business from literally nothing.

There were no airs or graces about Justin Herald. He was an everyday bloke who really did not care too much about what people thought of him. He spoke his mind, he had charisma, and he certainly had attitude.

How Justin Herald Started with an Attitude

Justin Herald’s dad was a church minister, and Justin grew up within a church community. It was in a church that his first business idea evolved.

During one particular church service, an elderly lady spoke to Justin and pointed out that he had an attitude problem and should mind his manners.

Justin did not take well to being told off about his attitude, especially at 25 years old. However, that moment ignited an idea.

At the time, Justin had only $1.25 in the bank and needed some cash to put his idea into action. So he asked his brother for $50. He then bought some cheap shirts, took them to a printer, and had “Attitude” slogans printed on them.

He enlisted the support of his brother and mates. Each of them put on one of the freshly printed shirts and attended the Sunday service, making sure they all stood in full view of the opinionated lady.

She was not happy when she saw the blatant prank Justin had pulled. The shirts had served their purpose very well, and Justin was delighted.

However, something unexpected happened after the service. A number of people took an interest in the “Attitude” shirts. In fact, some people asked if they could buy one from Justin.

That was the beginning of something much bigger.

The Attitude Brand Begins

Justin Herald thought it might be worth a few dollars, so he used the money from selling the first six shirts to his mates and organised for more shirts to be printed with “Attitude” slogans.

Word got out, and his little business began to emerge.

He decided to try selling his shirts at the Sydney Markets. He had never done this before and had no idea how it would go. So he asked one of his mates if he would lend a hand.

His mate said, “No.”

So Justin asked if he would lend a hand for one hundred bucks, and his mate said, “I’d love to help!”

They arrived at the markets and were allocated a table. Justin tipped his box of shirts onto the table all jumbled up. The shirts were a novelty, and people were interested.

Justin Herald Sold Out in Two Hours

To his complete surprise, Justin Herald sold out in the first two hours.

Justin Herald and Trevor at Entrepreneur X Factor event — Justin and I.

His excitement and business grew from there. He printed more and more shirts and was soon selling $10,000 worth of shirts every weekend at the markets.

Next, he tried retail stores. The owners moved him on because they had never heard of “Attitude” branded shirts. They also said their customers were not asking for “Attitude” shirts.

Justin had an idea. He asked his mates to call all the retail stores in the area and ask if they had “Attitude” shirts in stock.

He gave it a few weeks and then paid a visit to these same stores with a sample of his shirts. This time, they were pleased to see him and could not wait to get his shirts up on display.

“You wouldn’t believe the number of calls we’ve had with people inquiring about Attitude shirts.”

Justin’s response was simple:

“Oh really?!”

Business Lessons Kids Can Learn from Justin Herald

Todd Hutchison known as the Corporate Mechanic at Entrepreneur X Factor — Todd Hutchison, known as the Corporate Mechanic.

Justin Herald’s business continued to grow with the introduction of other lines of clothing. He received an invitation to be interviewed on The Morning Show, where he told his story.

He claimed that within thirty minutes of the interview, the phone rang hot with retail stores placing orders for his shirts.

Justin said he never needed to advertise his product because he was regularly being interviewed by television shows, business magazines and newspapers. He always made for a great story because he did not look like the regular businessman.

Justin Herald has a real sense of humour and loves to rib the people around him. He admits that he has plenty of attitude himself and believes that is why his brand worked.

He is also very easy to talk to and says that one of the secrets to a successful business is connecting with people.

That is a valuable lesson for children. Business is not just about selling a product. It is about understanding people, solving a problem, creating interest and building relationships. These same skills are often developed through simple family enterprise stories and real-world projects.

The Deal That Changed Everything

This chapter in Justin Herald’s story drew to an end when a very large company approached him to do a deal.

He was called to a board meeting. Justin rocked up in his jeans and checked shirt to confront a line of suited lawyers and business leaders. First came the formalities, and eventually they passed over the official offer for him to read.

Justin read the dollar number on the page in disbelief. He asked the lawyers if the comma was actually a comma or whether it was a dot.

They said it was a comma.

He then said, “Do I get a TV with that?”

They looked at one another and said, “Of course!”

So he took the deal, which he described as being worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He also took the TV from their wall. They wanted to get him a new one, but he said he did not want to muck around trying to rip up the box and packaging to fit it into his recycling bin.

From $1.25 to a Multimillion-Dollar Business

From having only $1.25 in his bank at the age of 25, Justin Herald grew his business in a relatively short time into a major brand.

Today, Justin Herald has had his fingers in different pies, including launching new brands and owning other successful businesses.

Justin Herald’s Four Business Lessons

Justin left us with four excellent “Aha!” moments.

You need a switch. You need something that gives you the purpose, focus and drive required to start a business. His was the opinionated lady at church. Justin is very grateful for her.
Say “Next!” Justin explained that you will face barriers, setbacks and naysayers as you try to move ahead with your business. He says “Next!” and moves on. Many people would fall back to their comfort zone and give up, but not Justin.
Networking matters. He says business is about the way you relate to your customers. Word of mouth can bring you greater business.
Give it a crack. This was his biggest tip. Stop waiting for everything to be perfect and take action.

After the presentation, Gary and I had the privilege of chatting to Justin Herald one-on-one. We found him to be a genuinely nice bloke.

He told us that his mates today are the same bunch of blokes he hung out with when he was twenty. He never made the grades at school, and his attitude had him in trouble many times during those years. However, it was also his attitude that helped make him what he is today.

Let’s hope that Justin Herald’s success story inspires your kids like it did mine. Children do not have to fit every expected credential to become successful. They need confidence, courage, persistence and the willingness to learn through real-world action.

You may also like our article on Green School Bali and its philosophy on education.

More About Justin Herald

Here is the blurb about Justin Herald from his website at the time this original article was written.

Justin Herald became one of the rising stars in the fields of business and personal development. At the age of 25, with only $50 to his name, Justin set about changing the course of his life. He created Attitude Inc, a clothing brand that became an international licensing success.

Justin’s success was widely recognised, and he was named International Entrepreneur of the Year in 2005. He also received the Future Leaders Award, recognising him as one of the influential leaders of the next generation in Australia.

He has had columns in magazines and newspapers in Australia and overseas, and he is also the author of multiple bestselling books.

Key takeaway: Justin Herald’s story is a powerful reminder for kids that success can begin with a simple idea, a bit of attitude and the courage to take action. It is not enough to just think about an idea. At some point, you have to give it a crack.

Where to Next?

If you enjoyed this entrepreneur story, you may also like:

Raise Entrepreneurial Kids — ideas for helping children build initiative, confidence and real-world skills.
Kids Business Ideas: Amber’s Kids Biz Program — a real family story about turning a $20 challenge into a kerb painting business.
Honey Pot of Gold — Flynn’s real-life honey enterprise story.
Mindset, Confidence & Leadership — articles about helping kids grow through courage and action.
Family Enterprise Stories — real examples of children learning through business and initiative.

Green School Bali Leading The Way!

Enterprise For KidsTeam Family Adventure & Real-World Learning, Mindset, Confidence & Leadership April 3, 2013April 30, 2026alternative education, creative education, entrepreneurial kids, family adventure learning, green school bali, nature-based learning, raising entrepreneurial kids, real-world learning, student-centred learning, sustainable education 6 Comments

Green School Bali real-world learning environment for kids

Green School Bali is an inspiring example of what education can look like when children are surrounded by nature, creativity, real-world learning and a strong sense of purpose.

Built from bamboo in the forest of Bali, this remarkable school challenges traditional thinking about education and invites us to ask an important question: are our schools truly preparing children for the modern world?

Green School Bali bamboo school building — Green School Bali is built from bamboo in a natural learning environment.

Green School Bali: A Different Vision for Education

Imagine a school with a natural, holistic, student-centred learning environment that empowers and inspires young people to be creative, innovative, green leaders.

There are many schools that aspire to a vision such as this, but very few achieve it. In all my years as a teacher, I know of only one school that has gained the genuine attention of educators and parents from around the world in quite this way.

This unique school is located in a forest on the island of Bali in Indonesia, and it is constructed largely from bamboo. You can learn more through the official Green School Bali website.

Green School Bali is an innovative school that is different in just about every aspect from regular Australian schools. It is different in its construction, the way it is run, its philosophy on raising and teaching children, and the way its curriculum is brought to life.

A Presentation That Challenged Our Thinking

Alan Wagstaff speaking about Green School Bali — Alan Wagstaff shared the Green School Bali philosophy.

Cathy, myself and our kids had the opportunity to attend an excellent presentation in Perth on Green School Bali. The principal, Mr Alan Wagstaff, showcased his school and shared their philosophy on education. He spoke with passion and with tremendous pride.

Rightly so. Green School Bali was turning many heads.

The founders of the school think way outside the box and have created a harmonious learning environment that children can excel in. They, and a growing group of others, believe this school offers a glimpse of what education could become in the future.

Perhaps the policy makers, politicians and leaders of our outdated education system should take a serious look at Green School Bali.

Why Green School Bali Matters for Entrepreneurial Kids

In previous articles, we have challenged the pedagogical practices of our current schooling system here in Australia. We have the view that it provides a good literacy education. However, the design of the system often conditions young people to be obedient, hard-working and compliant.

Now, that does not sound entirely bad. The world does need workers who can fill jobs and contribute well. However, what happens if a child wants to become an entrepreneur, innovator, creator or change-maker?

Many schools do not strongly foster true leadership, innovation or enterprise. Many schools also do not provide a strong financial education for kids, nor do they intentionally teach children to develop the habits and thinking of an entrepreneur.

This is why we care so deeply about raising entrepreneurial kids. Children need opportunities to think, question, create, solve problems and connect their learning to real life.

Disengaged students in a traditional classroom — Disengaged students

Alan Wagstaff was also very direct about his views on the archaic education system currently running in Australia and other western societies. He pointed out many issues that should not be dismissed, and he backed his views with facts, figures and research conducted by qualified experts in education.

He cited the work of respected thinkers and authors such as Alfie Kohn and Stephen Covey.

What Makes Green School Bali So Special?

This quote by Michael Franti begins to paint a picture:

Green School Bali classroom made from bamboo — A Green School Bali classroom

“For anybody that’s considering sending your kid to school here, it’s different than other schools where your kid’s going to be assigned a number and a desk and you show up and you do exactly what you’re told. Here if you have an idea to do something that’s outside of the box, that idea is going to be fostered and nurtured rather than pushed down.”

– Michael Franti, poet, musician and activist

That is the kind of educational philosophy that speaks strongly to families who want children to grow as confident, creative and capable young people.

Student Engagement and Real-World Learning

Alan Wagstaff shared an interesting statistic about students in regular schools. He explained that many students over 11 years old are not fully engaged in their learning and do not really like school.

Many of these students feel they are learning irrelevant things that will not be useful when they leave school. We have heard similar comments from our own teenage children at times. I can also think back to much of the mundane content I had to master and be tested on as a high school student and then again at Teachers College. Much of it was of little use to me in what I do today.

Alan said we need to change the structure of timetabling. We need to move from purely subject-based teaching to student-centred learning.

In many schools, the timetable revolves heavily around literacy and numeracy, with subjects such as the arts being pushed into the afternoon gaps. We push students in literacy and numeracy to uphold the education brand and satisfy national testing. The curriculum can become prescribed, inflexible and overly focused on measurement.

With all that emphasis on literacy and numeracy, why do we still have so many children not meeting the grade?

What Creates Life Success?

What is it about schooling that creates life success? The short answer is simple: have children turn up at school fully engaged, and you will get there.

Therefore, we need children to be satisfied and engaged. Schools need to link students into life. Their learning needs to be realistic and relevant to each of them individually.

Every day, we should be academically upskilling children, but not simply comparing them with other children.

Parents should ask not only how their child compares with others, but what their child is actually learning.

How Green School Bali Teaches Children

Alan explained how they educate children at Green School Bali.

The programs are structured around themes. These are collaboratively planned by the teacher team leaders. Teachers then run proficiency lessons within these short-term themes.

Each student is shown the continuum of what they need to learn in different areas of the curriculum. From there, they work towards learning what they need at their own level. Over time, this helps children take responsibility for their own learning.

Green School Bali students learning in class — Green School Bali students learning through themes and real-world inquiry.

Within the broader themes, students follow their own individual interests. They develop ideas, and those ideas are fostered and expanded. They identify what they need to learn and then conduct investigations and study groups to understand and practise skills.

Every day, the children are engaged in practical lessons that challenge the Big Four: physical, emotional, intellectual and interpersonal learning.

For example, if the general theme was “Waves”, the Big Four might look like this:

Physical: Go and experience waves by surfing.
Emotional: Paint a wave or sing a wave melody.
Intellectual: Study wave formations.
Interpersonal: Sit by the waves and meditate.

At Green School Bali, there are no rigid timetables in the traditional sense. This allows themes to develop through what Alan described as dynamic chaos. Specialist teachers decide what will be done, teachers research the theme and subject areas, and students engage in proficiency lessons.

Authentic Learning Beyond the Classroom

Alan said that in order for students to learn something deeply, they must “hit it three times in three different ways during the week”. Mini themes develop within the bigger themes, and teachers help children self-manage their way through learning.

This leads to engagement and lifelong learning.

Opportunities are seized as they arise to provide practical real-life lessons in areas such as:

connecting to the real world
environmental education
health and wellbeing
performing arts
enterprise education
visual arts

These lessons are timed, sustainable, flexible and authentic. They happen by venturing beyond the school and accessing adults and resources in the enterprising world.

This connects strongly with the kind of family adventure and real-world learning that we value at Enterprise for Kids.

A School Designed for Engagement

Green School Bali’s aim is for children to want to go to school and to be fully engaged. The emphasis is on relevance to learning and valuing students, not on testing and comparing students as we often do in our current schooling system.

That comparison can put unnecessary pressure on children. A more meaningful goal is to help children discover what they are capable of and how their learning connects to life.

Green School Bali’s Bamboo Campus

Green School Bali bamboo architecture and campus — Green School Bali is known for its bamboo architecture and natural campus.

Green School Bali is an architectural masterpiece. It is a masterwork built of bamboo and mud brick. There are no traditional classroom walls and very little impact on the environment.

The school is designed to be sustainable, with power sourced from solar panels and hydro power from the river. Students also assist with growing food in the large permaculture garden where animals are kept.

Green School Bali gardens and campus fields — Gardens and campus fields at Green School Bali.

Surrounding the school are bamboo homes built by local and international families who choose to live in Bali so their children can attend the school.

At the time of this original article, there were also studios under construction to be leased cheaply to entrepreneurs, with the idea that students could be involved with these businesses. This would allow students to develop enterprise skills and ultimately learn how entrepreneurship works in the real world.

Green School Bali as an Example for the Future

Green School Bali is a real-life example of an exemplary school. Students attending the school were reported to be achieving outstanding results in many aspects of their development, including academics.

Although the school had only been running for a relatively short time when this original post was written, its first graduates were already graduating, and those choosing to do so were being accepted into universities around the world.

Green School Bali students learning in a natural environment.

Alan Wagstaff and the founders of the school had a vision to create change in how schools educate. They knew they would be challenged if they targeted the top of the education hierarchy in Australia, so they were working to make change from the bottom up.

One way they were doing this was by being an exemplary school and by being noticed. At the same time, Green School Bali was also training teachers on mainland Australia with Green School ideologies, with the hope that those teachers would make gradual changes in their own schools.

Green SuperCamp and Our Family’s Experience

Green SuperCamp Bali experience for kids — Green SuperCamp Bali gave our children a powerful learning experience.

Another way to have your children experience the Green School Bali philosophy is through Green SuperCamp.

Kaitlin, Jai and Flynn attended Green SuperCamp, and they came back transformed. At the time of this original post, we were working towards them attending again, along with our eleven-year-old daughter Amber.

You may like to read our earlier post about Green SuperCamp and our kids’ experiences there.

Flynn’s Green SuperCamp Reflection

Check out what Flynn had to say about Green SuperCamp:

John Hardy, Founder of Green School Bali

John Hardy, founder of Green School Bali, also spoke about the school at TED:

Key takeaway: Green School Bali shows what can happen when education becomes connected to nature, creativity, enterprise, sustainability and real-world learning. It challenges us to think more deeply about what children truly need in order to thrive.

Where to Next?

If you enjoyed this article about Green School Bali and real-world learning, you may also like:

Raise Entrepreneurial Kids — ideas for building initiative, confidence and real-world skills.
Family Adventure & Real-World Learning — stories about learning through travel, experience and real life.
Kids Business Ideas: Amber’s Kids Biz Program — a real family story about turning a $20 challenge into a kerb painting business.
Justin Herald: Entrepreneur Story to Inspire Kids — an inspiring story about attitude, action and business success.
Financial Education for Kids — a practical lesson about money, assets and liabilities.

Michael Clouse… How to Balance Money and Time

Enterprise For KidsTeam Mindset, Confidence & Leadership, Money Lessons for Kids March 20, 2013April 28, 2026balance money and time, Isagenix, isagenix convention, isagenix trainer, michael clouse, michael clouse isagenix, mlm marketing, network marketing, network marketing success principles 2 Comments

“Most people are etching out a living and only a handful of people are designing a life”

This is such a powerful statement and one we often don’t take the time to consider that carefully. After many years of etching out a living, we are finally ready to design a life for ourselves and our children. And when we can do it, our children have that example as another way of looking at life and making informed choices about their own pathways in life.

Michael Clouse is an inspiration!

We were fortunate to hear Michael speak at the annual Isagenix Convention on the Gold Coast recently. Michael gave an awesome talk about Leadership.

Before I share his message, I’ll firstly introduce this amazing and very entertaining man.

Michael Clouse is a professional Network Marketer. He is recognised as one of the top twenty Network Marketing Trainers in the world today. His background spans over 25 years in the industry. He is an Author, having written several terrific books. His book “Future Choice” shows readers why Network Marketing may be their best career move (encourage your teenagers to read this one before they head off to Uni!). Michael came from a disadvantaged home, yet has managed to become super successful.

Early in his career, Michael studied the most successful network marketers around the world. He then modelled himself upon their habits and mindsets.

Michael is “time rich” and “money rich”. He now devotes 300 days a year to himself and his family and for 65 days to work and giving back to society.

Michael explains that we all need time and money, and we need these two things in balance. What most people do is they give up time in order to get money. Throughout their lives they work hard in a job or small business, to bring home the bacon. As a result they are very time poor although they may have increasing money. It is only later in life that they increase their time; however, their income drops.

People will argue that they have little choice. They have families to raise, mortgages to pay and expenses. They need to work! In our world, this may be true….but not so in an Entrepreneur’s world.

How is it that many wealthy people have managed to attain this balance? Well, we need to look at how they’ve created “time freedom?”

Wealthy people can buy time. This can include getting the house cleaned, or paying someone to do the accounts, or getting a wonderful cook in……….all to allow them to spend time with the ones they love and share experiences with the ones they love. You get the picture.

It’s quite amazing how many of the wealthy come from humble and often disadvantaged beginnings. Michael Clouse was one of those people! And he, along with others like him had to start somewhere.

There is a solution to this time-money balance…

According to Michael, the solution is Networking Marketing! In fact, many wealthy celebrities agree that Network Marketing is a terrific vehicle for growing a big business on the back of an established Global Company. Robert Kiyosaki, Donald Trump and Warren Buffett are three mega tycoons who talk about network marketing being a terrific vehicle for wealth creation without much outlay. It’s accessible to everyone.

Michael says if you do it right then most people can grow a big business and work less and less time.

“Success leaves clues!” Study success and you will see the game principles. Here is a selection of success principles that Michael understands and uses in his own life. He studied successful people to learn their habits…

Network Marketing Success Principles

Get into the game and then stay in the game.

Figure out what’s in it for you and then commit! You will meet challenges and have to overcome barriers. Being fully committed will get you through.

Focus on the fundamentals.

With a networking business these are:

Connecting with people.

Presenting to people.

When they say yes, take the time to teach them how to run their business.

Learn Network Marketing From the Expert. Click Image to Buy Michael Clouse's Book. — Learn Why Network Marketing May Be Your Best Career Move. Click the Image to Buy Michael Clouse’s Awesome Book!

“Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing!”

Stick to the system that works. That is
Tell your story! Ask yourself today, “How many times am I going to tell my story?”

Use the tools. The company provides all the tools. So use them.

Have an interest in “being better tomorrow than you were yesterday.”

Recognition

Be sincere and recognise every accomplishment publically and privately. Recognise yourself, the company and your team.

Click image to watch Lynn explain the Isagenix Compensation Plan. — Lynn Hagedornyour team and the company.

Praise- “Babies cry for it and men die from it!”

Michael Clouse teaches and uses these simple principles. He himself has built million dollar networking businesses and he has personally mentored people to be networking Millionaires.

Take the amazing Lynn Hagedorn (Isagenix), who went from zero to millionaire in only fourteen months!

This weekend we will again be attending Michael Clouse’s training in Perth. We can’t wait to learn more from this great leader and hilarious speaker!

Kaitlin our eldest daughter, is coming along too! We figure that it is a tremendous opportunity for her to learn about success from a successful person. Network Marketing is a career option worth knowing about.

It simply broadens the choices a young person has.

If you are interested in coming along as well, contact us and we will get you booked in. You don’t need to be an Isagenix Business Builder to see Michael Clouse Speak. In fact, it is open to anyone.

Curious about Isagenix? Watch this video…

Our Money Mastery Mentoring Program Reviewed

Enterprise For KidsTeam Mindset, Confidence & Leadership, Money Lessons for Kids February 15, 2013April 28, 2026dr paul counsel, financial freedom, mentoring program, mentoring program review, mindset, Money Mastery, money mastery mentoring program, money mastery program, Paul Counsel, subconscious, think big 4 Comments

Have you ever had that deep inner desire to want to change the world, or to be a person of significance who has made a real difference to others; yet frustrated, at times, that all your time and energy is channeled into your nine to five job… the job that you need in order to earn the dollars to simply exist and meet the costs of living and raising a family?

Have you wondered what you could do if you had the resources of time, knowledge and money to be that difference?

Children grow up full of potential and excited about their new life and what they wish to accomplish with it. Ideally, we as their parents, want to be their inspiration and show by example that they too can achieve whatever they put their minds to.

Do you ever wonder what worldly achievements and contributions your children will end up doing/being?

Cath and I have huge dreams! We are aiming for the stars! We aspire to achieve, experience and contribute in a grand way. We plan to lead our own children to ‘Think Big’, to experience, and to make a significant difference to the lives of others whilst here on Earth.

This is our “Why” and it is why we began the journey seeking an understanding and the mindset shifts required to achieve Financial Freedom.

This past year has been, by far, the biggest year for us in terms of shift in a mindset around success. Last year, in March, we embarked on a year long Money Mastery Mentoring Program, lead by Dr Paul Counsel.

Paul certainly opened our eyes to possibility, has given us the tools to make the inner shifts required to achieve financial freedom; and he has opened our subconscious minds, making the adjustments necessary, that have now put us on the path to achieving our goals.

Our year has literally been like a roller-coaster ride. Many ups and downs and bumps along the way… and it has absolutely been full on with the logistics of sorting kids and maintaining momentum whilst running very busy lives. Without our beautiful friends and family supporting us throughout the year, I’m certain we would not have made it this far.

The Money Mastery program is largely about achieving Financial Freedom; however, it has also been a self discovery mentoring program where we’ve revealed so much about our selves; our deep rooted values; our subconscious thinking and conditioning; and our future realities.

Sadly tomorrow we head up to Perth for our final weekend with Paul and our Money Mastery group of friends from 2012. We haven’t decided if we’ll continue as a new program starts in March 2013. There are many things to weigh up, but one thing for sure is our future is opening up wide before us.

Below is a link that will take visitors to our Full Review of our Money Mastery Mentoring Program. We have reviewed our year with Paul Counsel, shared in depth why we chose to take on such a mentoring program and some of the massive distinctions that have changed our lives forever!

We invite you to read about our journey and experiences (and pass it on to interested friends).

We’re hopeful when you read it, that you gain inspiration and perhaps some real insight into your own lives. We have reflected on some of the reasons why things happen the way they do… and why they don’t!

So go make yourself a cuppa, sit down in a comfy chair and take the time to have a read of our Money Mastery Mentoring Program Review… Oh! …and leave us a comment please!

Here is the link…. Money Mastery Mentoring Program Reviewed