So, this year things were a little different. I'm now working from home being my own boss and it was time to enlighten her on what I do. Little did she know what all was involved with this little business mom called her job. My husband thought it was a great idea to open her mind to the thought of being an entrepreneur one day. She can be anything she wants so why not, right?
We discussed emailing, Twitter, blogs, and Facebook and the importance of networking with other artists. Then we talked about creating a website and how the Etsy shop works and all the cool features. Next we decided it was project time. I gave her some supplies and told her I had a client (grandma) who wanted a specific design and it was her job to create it for her. She made a wonderful necklace that she then took photos of. She then wrote up a description, name, and a price. We then listed the item on Etsy so she could she her hard work in action. She then packaged up the necklace along with addressing the envelope and sealing it with a nice ribbon and handwritten note. We were then off to the post office.
We later itemized all the pieces she had used and she estimated the time spent on making the piece. We found out her price was a bit less than what it was supposed to be and she came up with ways to bring the price down.
I hope the experience helped her learn to understand what small business owners responsibilities are and maybe she might want to try it for real one day. But, of course, when dad asked, "What did you learn today?" her response was, "I learned how to make a necklace and shop on Etsy." Oh well, maybe I didn't rub off on her exactly the way I had hoped but I think she did learn something :)
Here's the necklace she created for grandma all on her own! Oh, and these are the pictures she took too!
Karma Fairy Necklace
What a talented young lady! I am sure she enjoyed that much more than a stuffy old office!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic opportunity for a day with her! It sounds like you did an amazing job teaching her so many aspects of the business. She will undoubtedly never forget such a day with you!~ And her necklace! Wow! Takes after her mama with talent I see :D
ReplyDeleteWhat a great day you must have had together. My daughter is only 10 months but I am looking forward to the day she asks if she can go to work with mommy.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have been there to learn the pricing and itemizing portion of your day as I struggle with that myself.
The Kiddo's got talent! Makes you wonder about our own angst over a design. We should think more like unencumbered younger ones! A special day for you both!
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic, Leslie! Wow, Lauren is a lucky little girl to have you for a mom. I'm going to have to borrow a page from your book and do this with my kids so they have a better understanding of what I do, especially on the computer. I'm sure they don't see the connection between my soapmaking and all the time I spend on the computer, and how would they without me teaching them? Thanks so much for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! The whole family should take a day working, then they will get to see that this is actually a business and not just some arty-farty hobby that mum has.
ReplyDeleteI love, love LOVE that you took your daughter to "work" with you! What a great experience for both Mother & Daughter. In the traditional school setting, I honestly feel they are lacking when it comes to encouraging kids to 1) use their creativity to it's fullest and 2) design their own path.
ReplyDeleteThey automatically assume that from high school you go to college and get a J.O.B. But honestly there are so many brilliant kids that just aren't designed for the black & white path. Those are our artists and I love that you are sharing your talent with your daughter. What a great experience! :)
congrats to "mini"beimondi!! with a good teacher and a bit of talent ,we CAN do beautiful things!! you are sooooo right Leslie!!it's a réal Job!! we are not desesperate housewifes!!! we are" The blingbling Power".our daughters have to Know that!! bravo to you 2 girls!!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like she has some raw talent there, her wire wrapping is good too.
ReplyDeleteSounds like she learn't a lot and summarised it typically kid style.
Absolutely priceless experience for her Leslie! I wish someone had taken me to their job the way you shared with her. She will treasure that experience her whole life and remember what you taught her! Good for you guys for taking the time. Hugs, Riki
ReplyDeletewow, you have a little designer there! good work!
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful lesson! I did that with my own daughter when she started making earrings. The pricing thing was an eye opener for her. When I told her she needed to charge for her time and talent, her eyes widened and she asked me if I thought she had talent! Of course! That is an awesome lesson. Now I wish that I were that self-employed mommy so that I could bring my daughter for a day on the job! Enjoy the day! Erin
ReplyDeleteAwesome - a very special day for mother and daughter. Good for her to learn all that is involved - not just "playing with beads". After all, that is just a small part of it. Kudos to you for showing her all of it.
ReplyDeleteLove the necklace she created!
That cracks me up, my kids have done that to me so many times....I am referring to we made a necklace and shopped on etsy comment...I am still laughing. I think it is wonderful that you are sharing this with your daughter. It is alot of work trying to scratch out a living selling your art and so many layers to the process. It takes courage and determination and you have both! Thanks for sharing - Julie
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat day! It's a great idea to share that business side of things...even though it's definitely not the fun part and even your daughter knows it! haaaaaaaaaaa
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like such a great day you guys have had together! And Lauren's necklace - and even more impressively from my point of view her photographs! - are superb.
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