Starting ’em young
THE YUSAY kids support their school’s cause.
How young is too young in teaching our kids about hard work and money? Do we just give them money, or let them earn it?
And since we Filipinos don’t usually let young kids take jobs to earn, parents wonder how to teach their children how hard earning money is and why they can’t always say yes whenever their children ask for it. But kids will probably get a better grasp of earning money if they experience earning it first hand, even just for one day.
As they say, money doesn’t grow on trees, but maybe, they do on homemade cookies. Or a box of brownies. Or even a joke or a song number.
Kids can find out on their own and learn about the value of hard work and money through Kiddo-preneur Bazaar. A brainchild of ANC anchor Maiki Oreta, Kiddo-preneur Bazaar provides a venue for kids to earn money by running their own business for a day. The parents or other family members help in preparing the products the kids will sell and in decorating the booth, but the kids are given the free rein in running the booth. From calling out and convincing customers to buy, to giving their change, the kids get a taste of how it feels like to work and earn.
Maiki thought of putting up a bazaar run by kids when her daughter Brielle, then six years old, started learning about money in school.
“Kiddo-preneur started in 2011 because I wanted to put up a lemonade stand, but I didn’t have a place to put it because we were living in a condominium and we weren’t allowed to put
ASIDE from learning about business and money, the kids also develop confidence and social skills.
up a booth there,” shares Brielle.
Maiki knew that other kids probably have the same dilemma as Brielle, so putting up a bazaar to provide a venue would be a great idea. The first Kiddo-preneur was held in December 2011 at the Rockwell Club in Makati. The turnout was amazing, as people came in droves, most of them proud parents of the kids, and families and friends, while others were just plain curious. It didn’t hurt that the sellers were cute, adorable kids. And who can say no to them?
“We had a group of boys about 8 years old who earned P120,000. They sold boxes of cookies worth P100 each for five hours. Their presentation was nice, it was affordable, and it was for a good cause. Majority of the proceeds went to a charity called ‘Cribs’, ” Maiki says.
There are no restrictions on what the kids can sell, as long as it is wholesome, and Maiki encourages the participants to sell homemade, original products. Once they even had a booth where for P10, the kids would tell you a joke, and for P20, they will sing for you.
“It is a unique learning experience for the kids. Nobody tells them how to earn money. Now, they get to understand business. Whether they earn or not, the important thing is they learn. Fun and learning come first,” Maiki says.
MAIKI and daughter Brielle.
The bazaars are held on a Saturday so it will not interfere with school, from noon to 5 p.m. After they’re done with the sales tally, awards are given to the highest earners and the best-decorated booth. This makes the experience more fun for the kids and presents a good bonding opportunity for the family.
The bazaars are usually held before Christmas, when people buy bulks of anything to give as gifts. And with irresistible, charming little kids selling stuff from cupcakes, homemade bath items, to pancake shape makers, the cuteness factor seals the deal between the sellers and the customers.
Raising money for charity
The Yusay kids, Miguel, Andrea and Jaime, joined the bazaar last year and won the Highest Sales Award. Their parents encouraged them to sell used items, such as books, that are still in good condition.
This year, they are doing the the “B” products lineup for their booth: the Biscoff and TJ Speculoos Cookie Butter Spread, and body and personal care products from the Human Nature Kids Line.
“We wanted to join the bazaar because we want to raise money for Project Read and Project Feed for Alay Pag-Asa street children program we are supporting and helping out in our
ASIDE from learning about business and money, the kids also develop
confidence and social skills.
school. We also want to learn how to be an entrepreneur, to make our own business and run it,” the Yusay kids share.
On the other hand, 9-year-old Joaquin and five-year-old Ava Padilla have been joining the bazaar since 2011 upon the suggestion of their parents, who run their own businesses.
“We know that we need money for the things we want to buy. And you earn money by working,” says Joaquin.
The parents help the kids choose what products to sell every bazaar, but at the end, it is the kids who decide.
“Our Mom helped us choose things that are fun, colorful, and useful. Because if we like them, then other kids will like them too,” Joaquin says.
“We chose the products that are commonly needed and sought after by a lot of people today like the Biscoff and Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter Spread, and iPhone mobile battery charger. We also wanted to sell products that are made by our underprivileged brothers and sisters to help them earn money to make a living,” the Yusay kids reply.
Developing social skills
THE KIDDO-PRENEURS were given pep talk before the start of the bazaar.
Aside from learning about business and money, the kids also develop confidence and social skills.
Maiki’s daughter Brielle overcame her shyness by talking to customers and giving them opinions and advice on what kids her age like.
The Yusay kids and Padilla kids feel proud in being able to talk to customers and invite them to their booths and convince them to buy their products, as well as give the right change, sometimes without using a calculator.
At the end of every bazaar, the kids feel even prouder of their accomplishment.
“We are really happy when we counted our money at the end of the bazaar. We are saving our money in the bank until we see something special, and we will also use some of the money to keep our business going for the next bazaar,” Joaquin says.
“We felt confident and smart that we were able to earn money on our own. We will put half of our earnings to buy more stocks of companies and the other half we will donate to help Alay Pag-Asa, to feed the street children,” the Yusay kids share.
Being aware of the advantages of saving is one of the things that the Kiddo-preneur bazaar wants to impart with the kids.
PADILLA kids Joaquin and Ava want to become entrepreneurs when they grow up.
“Our theme is ‘Earn, Save, Invest, and Donate.’ It’s nice to start planting the seeds while they’re still kids,” says Maiki.
Because of their one-day experience in the bazaar, the kids get to understand how and why their parents work to earn. They also get to see if a future in entrepreneurship looks interesting to them.
For the Yusay kids, it’s the opportunity to provide employment that appeals to them. “We intend to pursue business when we get older. We will be able to give money and help people who are poor by giving them work, not just to be able to help our family.”
“I like being a Kiddo-preneur! I want to be a businesswoman who sells art when I grow up,” shares 5-year-old Ava.
Kiddo-preneur will have its fourth bazaar on Nov. 30 at The Tents in Alphaland in Pasong Tamo Ext., Makati. Interested participants can reach Maiki via [email protected].
