05/ 25/ 2007
by Todd Stottlemyer
Looking back on American history, you realize that the early leaders of our country were at heart entrepreneurs. Risk-takers boarded ships to make a dangerous ocean crossing, looking for new opportunities in a new land. Later adventurers loaded wagons and headed west for the same reason.
In between, our founding fathers fought to be free of unfair taxes, and to have the political and, perhaps more importantly, the economic freedom to be innovative within a marketplace that values the free flow of ideas.
That's a truly powerful force, one that's unique in the world. It's given our society great intrinsic advantages over other countries, as we've built a culture that's based on people who believe in taking risks and seizing opportunities. We can do that because we've created an economic environment that contains very few institutional limitations on what we can achieve.
But, as they say about the stock market, "past performance is not an indicator of future results." We must continue to nurture and build those aspects of our society that have contributed to our success. That is especially important when we look for the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Tomorrow's innovators are everywhere--and not just in classes devoted to business. Entrepreneurs are artists, musicians, scientists, doctors and writers, among others. It's important to teach them what it takes to start something and to help them understand what it means as an entrepreneur to become “successful failures.” By that, I mean that failure can be good if you learn from your failure what it takes to become a success.
Future leaders need to learn about the opportunities of entrepreneurship, and we know that they want to learn. For proof, you need look no further than our Young Entrepreneur Foundation scholarship program, which this year received a record 3,400 applications, up from 2,100 last year. On page 25D, you'll find a list of those who have fully endowed one of these scholarships, for which we are grateful.
To help further that entrepreneurial interest, we created the NFIB Entrepreneur-in-the-Classroom (EITC) programs, which are designed to bring real-life stories of entrepreneurs into the classroom, enabling students to learn firsthand about the risks and rewards of operating a small business. I recently had the opportunity to participate in this program during the inaugural National Entrepreneurship Week, and I can tell you that teaching the next generation is a great and rewarding experience.
These students are bright and enthusiastic, and you may well be teaching the next great inventor or successful entrepreneur, someone who will go on to make a difference in their community, even change the world. You'll see the passion with which students embrace the notion that they can take their ideas or hobbies, work hard and build a business.
We recently announced a new program for NFIB members interested in a similar experience. The Take Time to Teach (T3) mentoring program complements EITC. It's another resource, one that pairs teachers with a local NFIB member who can answer questions about entrepreneurship and serve as a classroom guest if they wish, providing real-life expertise and advice to budding small-business owners.
Today's entrepreneurs have a great story to tell and a valuable message to share with America's youth. We need to ensure that the next generation hears it loud and clear, and I hope that you will help.
For more information about Entrepreneur-in-the-Classroom, go to www.NFIB.com/eitc. For an update on YEF scholarship winners, go to www.NFIB.com/YEFaward.
P.S. Check out the expanded MyVoice coverage beginning on page 25A. This issue marks the first time we've included state news for readers in all 50 states, one more way in which NFIB is working to increase the value of your membership!
