Why I’m Raising My Kids to Be Entrepreneurs and Leaders (And Why You Should Too)

A few weeks ago, my son came to me with a business idea. He wanted to create and sell journals on Amazon. Years ago, if a kid had said something like that, they probably would have been told to focus on their schoolwork and leave business to the grown-ups. But times have changed. The world my kids are growing up in is nothing like the world I grew up in—and certainly nothing like the one my parents prepared me for.

We’re living in a time of massive, unpredictable change. AI is replacing jobs, industries are being wiped out overnight, and the idea of a “stable career” is quickly disappearing. The old model—study hard, get good grades, land a secure job, and work there for 40 years—just doesn’t apply anymore.

If we want to prepare our kids for the future, we can’t raise them the way we were raised. They need to be adaptable, resourceful, and resilient. They need to know how to think for themselves, solve problems creatively, and spot opportunities where others see obstacles.

That’s why I believe raising kids with an entrepreneurial mindset is one of the smartest things we can do as parents. Not necessarily so they start their own businesses (though that’s great if they do), but because entrepreneurship teaches skills that will help them navigate any career path, any industry, and any challenge life throws at them.

The World Has Changed—Our Parenting Needs to Change Too

The gap between this generation and the last is bigger than ever. Our parents believed in job security. They worked for one company for decades, saved for retirement, and expected their kids to do the same.

But look around. That world is gone.

People get laid off overnight. Companies close without warning. New technology is making entire industries obsolete. In 10 years, many of today’s jobs won’t even exist.

So, if we’re still raising our kids to follow the same old script, we’re setting them up for a world that no longer exists. Instead, we should be asking:

• How do we raise kids who can thrive in any environment?
• How do we help them become creative problem-solvers?
• How do we teach them to be mentally fit, adaptable, and capable of pivoting when things change?

The answer isn’t pushing them toward a specific career. It’s raising them to think like entrepreneurs.

Failure Is Encouraged in Our House

One of the biggest mindset shifts I’ve made as a parent is how I talk about failure.

Failure isn’t something to be feared—it’s something to be expected. It’s a necessary part of growth. In our house, we actually celebrate failure because it means someone tried something new, took a risk, and learned something valuable.

It’s not uncommon for me to ask my kids, “What did you fail at today?” And when they tell me, we don’t treat it like a bad thing. Instead, we talk about what they learned and how they might approach it differently next time.

Because here’s the truth: The only true ways to fail are to quit or to never try at all.

Everything else? That’s just part of the process.

Entrepreneurs understand this better than anyone. They fail all the time—new businesses don’t always work, ideas flop, deals fall through. But the successful ones learn, adjust, and keep going.

I want my kids to grow up knowing that failure is a stepping stone, not a dead end. That’s the difference between someone who spends their life playing it safe and someone who goes after what they truly want.

Hard Things, Easy Life. Easy Things, Hard Life.

Another principle we live by in our house is this:

“Hard things, easy life. Easy things, hard life.”

It’s a simple idiom, but it carries a powerful lesson.

If you take the easy way out—avoid discomfort, skip the hard work, look for shortcuts—you might feel good in the moment, but it almost always makes life harder in the long run.

On the other hand, if you tackle the hardest things first—push yourself, build discipline, take responsibility—everything else gets easier.

We talk about this often in our household. When my kids don’t want to do their homework, or they’re tempted to quit something because it’s too hard, we come back to this idea. Because the truth is, growth comes from struggle. The people who achieve the most in life are the ones who get comfortable being uncomfortable.

Life’s Not Fair—And That’s Okay

Another truth we don’t sugarcoat in our household is this:

Life’s not fair.

It’s something I want my kids to understand early, because pretending otherwise doesn’t prepare them for reality. Some people will have advantages they don’t. Some people will have it easier. Some will have it harder. But dwelling on fairness won’t change a thing.

What will change things?

?? Taking responsibility for their own success.

?? Focusing on what they can control.

?? Learning to work smarter, not just harder.

When kids understand that life isn’t always fair, they stop waiting for things to be handed to them. They stop expecting the world to accommodate them and start figuring out how to navigate the world as it is, not as they wish it were.

It doesn’t mean they shouldn’t fight for fairness and justice where it matters—but it does mean they’ll be mentally tough enough to keep moving forward, even when things don’t go their way.

Understanding People: The Most Valuable Skill They Can Learn

If there’s one skill that will always be in demand, no matter how much technology changes the world, it’s understanding human behaviour.

Our world, our communities, and our economy all revolve around people. Whether my kids choose to be entrepreneurs, leaders, or simply valuable members of society, their success will depend on how well they can understand and connect with others.

That’s why I think teaching kids about psychology is just as important as teaching them math or science. When kids understand why people think, feel, and act the way they do, they become better at:

?? Building relationships – Personal and professional success is built on trust, collaboration, and communication.

?? Navigating conflict – Knowing how to read emotions, de-escalate tension, and negotiate solutions is an invaluable skill.

?? Influencing others – Whether it’s leadership, sales, or simply inspiring a team, the ability to understand motivation is powerful.

?? Problem-solving – The best solutions often come from truly understanding the needs, fears, and desires of the people involved.

At the end of the day, businesses don’t succeed because of products or services. They succeed because they understand people. The better our kids understand human behaviour, the better equipped they’ll be to navigate an ever-changing world.

The Future Belongs to Those Who Can Adapt

The world is changing fast. AI is taking over jobs. Entire industries are disappearing. The only thing we can count on is that the future will be uncertain.

So, how do we prepare our kids? Not by pushing them toward a specific career, but by equipping them with the mindset, skills, and confidence to thrive no matter what happens.

When kids learn to think like entrepreneurs, they grow up knowing:

?? They can solve problems and create opportunities.

?? They don’t have to wait for permission to take action.

?? They are capable of adapting, pivoting, and thriving in an unpredictable world.

That’s why raising kids with an entrepreneurial mindset isn’t just about business—it’s about future-proofing them for life.

And if we want to set them up for success, we need to start now.