Entrepreneurial Kids: How to Teach Purpose and Success

Enterprise For KidsTeam Mindset, Confidence & Leadership, Raising Entrepreneurial Kids , , , , , , , , , 6 Comments
Entrepreneurial Kids: How to Teach Purpose and Success

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.

Purpose quote for entrepreneurial kids learning their why

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:

  1. How do you want to contribute to this world?
  2. How do you want to grow as a person?
  3. 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.

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 , , , , , , , , , 4 Comments
Enterprising Teens: People, Passion and Success

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.

People quote for enterprising teens learning about success

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.

Passion quote for enterprising teens developing a mindset for success

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.

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 , , , , , , , 6 Comments
Justin Herald… A Most Unusual Millionaire!

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.

Attitude clothing logo from Justin Herald business story

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.

Justin Herald Next business lesson for kids

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.

Justin Herald book How to Grow Your Business Without Spending a Cent Justin Herald book Would You Like Attitude

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:

Green School Bali Leading The Way!

Enterprise For KidsTeam Family Adventure & Real-World Learning, Mindset, Confidence & Leadership , , , , , , , , , 6 Comments
Green School Bali Leading The Way!

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.

Cartoon about national testing and traditional schooling

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.

Cartoon about testing and conditioning children

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.

Quote about outdated education systems

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
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:

Michael Clouse: How to Balance Money and Time

Enterprise For KidsTeam Mindset, Confidence & Leadership, Money Lessons for Kids , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments
Michael Clouse: How to Balance Money and Time

Michael Clouse gave us a powerful reminder that most people are busy etching out a living, while only a handful of people are intentionally designing a life.

That idea stayed with us because it is exactly the kind of thinking we want our children to see. If we can learn to think differently about time, money, leadership and choices, then our children have another model for designing their own pathway in life.

Michael Clouse as an inspiration for leadership lessons for kids
Michael Clouse shared powerful ideas about leadership, time, money and designing a life.

Michael Clouse and the Choice to Design a Life

“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 do not take the time to consider carefully. After many years of etching out a living, we are finally ready to design a life for ourselves and our children.

When we can do that, our children have another example in front of them. They can begin to see that life does not have to be only about earning money, paying bills and following the same pathway as everyone else. They can begin to make more informed choices about their own future.

We were fortunate to hear Michael Clouse speak at the annual Isagenix Convention on the Gold Coast. Michael gave an excellent talk about leadership, time, money and the thinking behind success.

Cathy and Trevor with Michael Clouse after learning leadership lessons about money and time
Here we are with Michael Clouse after hearing his leadership message.

Who Is Michael Clouse?

Michael Clouse is a professional network marketer, author, trainer and speaker. His official website describes his long career in network marketing, along with his books, articles, videos and audio training programs. You can learn more through Michael Clouse’s official website.

Before I share the message we took from his talk, I want to introduce why Michael made such an impression on us.

Michael came from a disadvantaged home, yet managed to become highly successful. Early in his career, he studied successful network marketers around the world and modelled himself on their habits, thinking and leadership principles.

That alone is a valuable lesson for our children. Success often leaves clues. If children can learn to observe people who are already achieving something worthwhile, they can begin to notice the habits, values and decisions behind that success.

Michael Clouse on Balancing Money and Time

One of the strongest ideas Michael Clouse shared was the importance of balancing money and time.

Most people give up time in order to earn money. Throughout their lives, they work hard in a job or small business to bring home the bacon. As a result, they may slowly increase their money, but they often become time poor. Later in life, they may finally have more time, but their income can drop.

People will argue that they have little choice. They have families to raise, mortgages to pay and expenses to cover. They need to work. In many ways, this is true.

But from an entrepreneurial point of view, it is still worth asking a bigger question:

How can we create more freedom with both time and money?

Wealthy people often create or buy back time. This might mean paying someone to clean the house, do the accounts, cook meals or help with tasks that free them to spend more time with the people they love and the experiences they value.

This is not just a money lesson. It is a life lesson.

Leadership Lessons for Kids from Michael Clouse

The reason this message matters for Enterprise for Kids is not because every child should become a network marketer. It matters because children need to know there are many possible pathways in life.

They can choose a job. They can build a business. They can create a product. They can offer a service. They can invest. They can become leaders. They can learn from mentors. They can think carefully about the kind of life they want to design.

Michael Clouse challenged us to think about leadership, not just income. Leadership is about responsibility, commitment, communication, consistency and helping others grow.

These are lessons children can begin learning long before they become adults.

Network Marketing Success Principles

Michael Clouse Future Choice book about network marketing and career options
Future Choice by Michael Clouse explores network marketing as one possible career path.

According to Michael, network marketing was one possible solution to the time-money balance because it allowed people to build a business through systems, tools, relationships and leadership.

For us, the bigger lesson was not just about one business model. It was about studying success principles and then asking which of those principles our children could learn from.

Michael reminded us of a simple idea:

Success leaves clues.

Here are some of the success principles we took from his talk.

Get Into the Game and Stay in the Game

Figure out what is in it for you, and then commit. You will meet challenges and have to overcome barriers. Being fully committed helps carry you through the difficult parts.

This applies to children as much as adults. Whether they are learning an instrument, building a small enterprise, playing sport or developing a new skill, they need to learn that success usually requires staying in the game long enough to improve.

Focus on the Fundamentals

With a networking business, Michael explained that the fundamentals include connecting with people, presenting to people, and teaching others how to run their business when they say yes.

For children, we can translate this into simple leadership lessons:

  • Learn how to talk with people.
  • Learn how to explain your idea clearly.
  • Learn how to help others understand what to do next.
  • Learn how to keep improving your skills.

Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

Michael’s phrase “Keep the main thing the main thing” is a good one for adults and children alike.

It means sticking to the system that works. It means not being distracted by every new idea. It means asking, “What is the most important thing I need to do today?”

In business, that might mean telling your story, using the tools provided, connecting with people and becoming better tomorrow than you were yesterday.

For children, it might mean finishing the project, practising the skill, serving the customer, asking for feedback, or following through on the plan they started.

Recognise Effort and Progress

Lynn Hagedorn as an example of network marketing success mentioned in Michael Clouse leadership lessons
Lynn Hagedorn was shared as an example of what can happen when strong systems, leadership and commitment come together.

Recognition was another important part of Michael’s leadership message.

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

One of the lines that stood out was:

“Babies cry for it and men die from it.”

Praise and recognition matter. Children need to know that their effort has been seen. They need to experience the confidence that comes from being encouraged, acknowledged and supported.

Michael Clouse teaches and uses these simple principles. He built successful networking businesses and mentored others who went on to create strong results of their own. The example of Lynn Hagedorn shows what can happen when commitment, systems, belief and leadership come together.

Michael Clouse and Career Choices for Teenagers

Kaitlin, our eldest daughter, came along to hear Michael speak as well. We figured it was a tremendous opportunity for her to learn about success from a successful person.

Network marketing may or may not become part of her future. That is not really the point.

The point is that young people benefit from seeing different possibilities. They need to know about jobs, business, leadership, enterprise, investment, creativity and service. They need to understand that their future can include more than one pathway.

It simply broadens the choices a young person has.

This is why we believe exposing children and teenagers to strong leadership ideas is so valuable. It helps them think. It helps them question. It helps them notice the difference between simply earning a living and designing a life.

Michael Clouse, Time Freedom and Money Lessons for Kids

For us, the lasting lesson from Michael Clouse was not just about network marketing. It was about time freedom, leadership, contribution and being intentional.

Our children are watching how we live. They are watching how we work. They are watching whether we are exhausted, inspired, trapped, free, generous, stressed or purposeful.

If we want them to make strong choices later in life, we need to let them see different possibilities now.

That is why this message belongs on Enterprise for Kids. It is part of the wider conversation about raising entrepreneurial kids who can think clearly about money, time, leadership and the kind of life they want to create.

Key Takeaway: Help Children Think Beyond Earning a Living

Key takeaway: Michael Clouse challenged us to think about designing a life, not just earning a living. For children and teenagers, that message can open up powerful conversations about leadership, money, time freedom, career choices and entrepreneurial thinking.

Where to Next?

What do you think? Are we teaching children only how to earn a living, or are we helping them imagine how to design a life?

Money Mastery: Lessons from Paul Counsel’s Program

Enterprise For KidsTeam Mindset, Confidence & Leadership, Money Lessons for Kids , , , , , , , , , , 4 Comments
Money Mastery: Lessons from Paul Counsel’s Program

Money Mastery became much more than a financial education program for us. It became a deep journey into mindset, values, financial freedom and the kind of life we wanted to model for our children.

Have you ever had that inner desire to make a difference in the world, but felt frustrated that so much of your time and energy was being poured into simply earning enough money to keep up with life, bills and raising a family?

Money Mastery quote about changing the world from within
The world can only change from within — a powerful idea behind our Money Mastery journey.

Money Mastery and the Desire to Make a Difference

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 excitement about their lives and what they wish to accomplish. Ideally, we as parents want to be an inspiration to them. We want to show by example that they too can achieve what they put their minds to.

Do you ever wonder what worldly achievements and contributions your children will end up making?

Cath and I have huge dreams. We are aiming for the stars. We aspire to achieve, experience and contribute in a grand way. We want to lead our own children to think big, experience life deeply and make a significant difference to the lives of others while they are here on Earth.

Money Mastery quote about thinking big and aiming for the stars
Money Mastery helped us think bigger about life, contribution and financial freedom.

This is our “Why”, and it is why we began the journey seeking the understanding and mindset shifts required to achieve financial freedom.

Paul Counsel and the Money Mastery Mentoring Program

This past year has been, by far, the biggest year for us in terms of shifting our mindset around success.

In March, we embarked on a year-long Money Mastery Mentoring Program led by Dr Paul Counsel. Paul opened our eyes to possibility, gave us tools to make the inner shifts required to achieve financial freedom, and helped us look more closely at the subconscious thinking and conditioning that can shape our results.

You can learn more about Paul Counsel’s current work through Money Mastery Academy.

Our year felt like a roller-coaster ride. There were ups, downs and plenty of bumps along the way. It was full-on trying to sort out the logistics of children, family life and busy schedules while still maintaining momentum.

Without our beautiful friends and family supporting us throughout the year, I am certain we would not have made it this far.

Stephen Covey quote connected to Money Mastery and personal change
Lasting change begins with the way we think, choose and act.

Money Mastery, Financial Freedom and Self Discovery

The Money Mastery program was largely about achieving financial freedom. But for us, it was also a self-discovery mentoring program.

Through the process, we revealed so much about ourselves: our deep-rooted values, our subconscious thinking, our conditioning and our future realities.

That matters because financial freedom is not only about numbers. It is also about beliefs, choices, habits, values and identity.

We came to understand that if our inner thinking does not shift, our outer financial results are unlikely to shift in a lasting way.

This is one of the lessons we want our children to absorb. Money is not just something to earn and spend. It is connected to choices, freedom, contribution and the way we design our lives.

Money Mastery and the Mindset We Model for Our Children

As parents, we can talk to our children about money, success and contribution. But what they watch matters even more.

They watch whether we think big or small. They watch whether we believe we can change. They watch whether we stay stuck in old patterns or choose to grow. They watch whether we simply talk about financial freedom or actually take steps toward it.

That is why Money Mastery was so important for us. It challenged us to look at the patterns we were living from and the example we were setting.

If we want our children to become confident, capable and entrepreneurial, then they need to see us learning, stretching and taking responsibility for our own growth as well.

Paul Counsel Money Mastery Mentoring Program quote about financial freedom and mindset
The Money Mastery Mentoring Program helped us reflect deeply on mindset, values and financial freedom.

Financial Freedom, Family Values and Big Dreams

One of the big distinctions for us was understanding the link between business, money and our highest values.

Our children have always been our highest value. That is beautiful, but it also meant that family life naturally took our time, focus and energy. We had to learn how to align our desire for business, contribution and financial freedom with our value of family, rather than feeling as if they were competing against each other.

That is one of the reasons Enterprise for Kids became so meaningful to us.

It allowed us to connect family, learning, enterprise and money lessons together. It gave us a way to grow our own entrepreneurial mindset while helping our children understand confidence, creativity, responsibility and opportunity.

Money Mastery helped us see that financial freedom is not separate from family. Done well, it can support family, strengthen choices and open up more possibilities for the future.

Our Money Mastery Review

As we reached the final weekend of our year-long Money Mastery Mentoring Program, we found ourselves reflecting on how much had changed.

There were many things to weigh up about what came next, but one thing was certain: our future felt as though it was opening wide before us.

We decided to write a full review of our Money Mastery Mentoring Program. In that review, we shared why we chose to take on such a mentoring program, what the year was like, and some of the massive distinctions that changed our lives.

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

Leo Tolstoy quote connected to Money Mastery and changing ourselves
Real change often begins when we are willing to look honestly at ourselves.

We are hopeful that when you read it, you gain inspiration and perhaps some real insight into your own life. We reflected on some of the reasons why things happen the way they do, and why they sometimes do not.

So go make yourself a cuppa, sit down in a comfy chair and take the time to read our full Money Mastery Mentoring Program review.

Read the full review here: Money Mastery Mentoring Program Reviewed

Key Takeaway: Money Mastery Starts From Within

Key takeaway: Money Mastery is not only about financial strategies. For us, it was about mindset, family values, financial freedom and the inner shifts needed to create a bigger future for ourselves and our children.

Where to Next?

Have you ever taken on a program, mentor or experience that changed the way you think about money, family and the future? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.