Archive for the Category » Business «

On Hiatus
August 28th, 2010 | Author: Pencil Bugs Creator

I was only four years old and had almost finished preschool. Obviously I don’t remember much from back then but I have heard my mom tell lots of people this so I can share it with you.

Because my birthday is in November, my parents had the option of sending me to kindergarten at age five or having me be in a pre-K class. I was smart enough to go into kindergarten at that age but they weren’t sure if they wanted me to start that early and be on the younger side of the class. So Mom asked the advice of my preschool teacher.

She had one simple piece of advice: “When you’re in doubt, give your kids the gift of time.” So instead of starting kindergarten right after my year of preschool, I went into the pre-K class.

So how does this relate to being on hiatus?

It’s August 28 and in three days, I’ll be starting 9th grade. I am really excited! Everyone says high school is going to be very different. Homework is going to be more and probably harder. There will be more extra activities. Lots of things will change. As I’ve learned, time is the one thing you can’t get back so it’s important to make the most of what you have.

Even though I’ve had my business since fourth grade, school has always come first and my parents have made sure I still had time to be a normal kid and enjoy childhood. So for the time being, I am going on hiatus with my blog posts and also with the BizKid2BizKid feature. My business will still continue and I will always make time to speak at schools, businesses, conferences and other events because in addition to believing in education, I also think there is value in practical experience and being able to share what I’ve learned with other people.

Please visit my website, Pencil Bugs, which will continue to have the latest updates and you can always follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

See you later.

[Post to Twitter] Tweet This Post  [Post to Yahoo Buzz] Buzz This Post  [Post to Delicious] Delicious This Post  [Post to Digg] Digg This Post  [Post to Reddit] Reddit This Post  [Post to StumbleUpon] Stumble This Post 

Category: BizKid 2 BizKid, Business  | Leave a Comment
Do You Set Goals?
August 01st, 2010 | Author: Pencil Bugs Creator

Setting a goal is a good thing. We hear people talk about it all the time. There are professional business coaches who teach people how to set goals. I will be starting 9th grade next month and even for high school, they already have us meet with a counselor to set a four-year goal.

But setting a goal or being stuck on one goal can also be a bad thing.

You have probably heard at one point in your life that life is full of possibilities; you just need to take them. Sometimes when people set a goal, they get too focused on that one goal. While they are working toward their goal, many other opportunities may come up but they ignore them since they were focused on the goal. Or maybe they didn’t even see the opportunities at all because of their narrow focus on that one goal.

I am the first episode of the third season of PBS BizKid$ which coincidentally talks about different types of goals.  It is an entire episode devoted to goals.  I am fine with goals and I have had goals, but I believe that a plan is better.  Some may say it is just a change of a word but most people think a plan is not set in stone. If you said, “I PLAN to go to the mall tomorrow,” it’s probably not too big of deal if your PLAN changed. But if you said, “My GOAL is to go shopping tomorrow,” all of a sudden it changes the importance for some reason.

Goals are good to have because it gives people some direction. But make sure you keep your eyes open for opportunities that may be right beside you and be willing to change or make revisions to your goals if necessary. Just because you may not achieve your original goal does not mean you failed. It could actually mean you were smarter and took other opportunities that were much better than your goal.

In my new book, “Bitten by the Business Bug: Common Sense Tips for Business and Life from a Teen Entrepreneur” I have topics like this and many other things that are easily overlooked when people of all ages forget about the basics.

[Post to Twitter] Tweet This Post  [Post to Yahoo Buzz] Buzz This Post  [Post to Delicious] Delicious This Post  [Post to Digg] Digg This Post  [Post to Reddit] Reddit This Post  [Post to StumbleUpon] Stumble This Post 

Category: Business  | Tags: , , , , ,  | Leave a Comment
“Bitten By the Business Bug” Released
July 04th, 2010 | Author: Pencil Bugs Creator

After two years of brainstorming, writing, editing, editing, and more editing, my first business book, “BITTEN BY THE BUSINESS BUG”  is officially published!  As the subtitle says, it is filled with “Common Sense Tips for Business and Life from a Teen Entrepreneur.”

I have never claimed that I know everything. Hey, I’m only 14 years old. But I am really lucky to be surrounded with many people who are very wise and have always been willing to share their ideas, values, and life lessons.  I have taken this information and simplified it, then added in my own perspective so people from age 9 to 99 will be able to get something from my book.

It is available on Amazon.com right now or you can order a signed copy from me through my website which I will start shipping on July 20.

Any good author has lots of people who help in creating a book. My book wouldn’t have happened at all if it wasn’t for my mom’s editing and typesetting skills. Then after coming up with the initial cover design, I got a surprise from a friend, Chaz DeSimone, who worked his typography magic on the cover turning it into the amazing cover that you see here.

Please share this link with your friends and family. I know you’ll love the book.

[Post to Twitter] Tweet This Post  [Post to Yahoo Buzz] Buzz This Post  [Post to Delicious] Delicious This Post  [Post to Digg] Digg This Post  [Post to Reddit] Reddit This Post  [Post to StumbleUpon] Stumble This Post 

Category: Business  | Tags: , , , , ,  | Leave a Comment
Blaze Your Own Trail
May 23rd, 2010 | Author: Pencil Bugs Creator

Last week I met with Ann marie Houghtailing. Her company is hosting a conference “Blaze Your Own Trail” at the University of San Diego, California for middle school and high school students this summer. I have been invited to be a guest speaker at both grade level sessions.

It is an amazing opportunity for me because I always like to share my business story with other people but it’s also great for anyone who is able to attend. Life isn’t all about academics, textbooks, and the degree. Blazing your own trail can be just about anything these days and my generation needs to definitely think outside the box in order to be successful.

Middle school conference dates: July 26-29

High school conference dates: August 2-5

Hope to see you there. For more information or to register, please visit Blazing My Trail. If you want to follow Ann marie on Twitter, her username is @trailsnotpaths or check out her website The Houghtailing Group for other services and events.

[Post to Twitter] Tweet This Post  [Post to Yahoo Buzz] Buzz This Post  [Post to Delicious] Delicious This Post  [Post to Digg] Digg This Post  [Post to Reddit] Reddit This Post  [Post to StumbleUpon] Stumble This Post 

Category: Business  | Tags: , , , , ,  | Leave a Comment
Can You?
May 08th, 2010 | Author: Pencil Bugs Creator

THIS IS NOT A BOOK REVIEW.  Please read on.

Several weeks ago, my parents and I were watching an old video of me reading a Dr. Seuss book out loud to my mom. I was surprised at how well I read for only six years old. The book was “Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?” The theme of the book was that Mr. Brown could do lots of things, how about you? Then it had a repeating line that read, “Oh the wonderful things Mr. Brown can do.”

Now fast forward to yesterday. We were visiting some relatives and the topics of discussion were school, colleges, sports, etc.  All the normal stuff when kids are involved. Someone asked me if I still played golf and was planning on trying out for the golf team next year in high school. I said I might try tennis.

The person’s response was, “You need to find something and stick with it.” Before I could say anything, that comment set my mom on fire.

“Jason has stuck with something for five years! He still has his business and is publishing his own business book this summer.”

The person responded with, “I meant something fun to do.”

Mom said I have  gotten to do more fun things than most adults only wish they could do. Then dad added that childhood is a time for trying lots of different things to see what a kid likes best. They don’t need to commit to just one thing.

And that was the end of that.

What’s the point? Some people will never understand what it means to be an entrepreneur, how much fun it can be, or what we learn in the process. To some people, if you don’t play sports, get a college degree and the 8-5 job, you’ve failed somehow.

Then I thought of the Dr. Seuss book. If Mr. Brown could do all those wonderful things, why can’t we? There are lots of opportunities and possibilities for everyone. Don’t let someone put their own limitations on you, especially if you are still a kid. Try lots of things.

[Post to Twitter] Tweet This Post  [Post to Yahoo Buzz] Buzz This Post  [Post to Delicious] Delicious This Post  [Post to Digg] Digg This Post  [Post to Reddit] Reddit This Post  [Post to StumbleUpon] Stumble This Post 

Category: Business, Personal  | Tags: , , , , ,  | Leave a Comment
« Previous Entries