You’re never too young or too old to learn or teach. I was always excited at the prospect of teaching my two sons about entrepreneurship. With several years of entrepreneurial experience, I thought I was in a good position to mentor them.

And then my 13-year-old went and broke a world record while organizing his fellow students to help the homeless, and I thought maybe I should be the one taking notes.

Breaking a record.

My son Kenan Pala, who was 12 at the time, organized his fellow school students in October of 2016 to break the Guinness World Record for Largest Cardboard Box Mosaic.

The idea came to him while we observed a group of concerned citizens trying to rescue an injured seal in San Diego. Kenan was moved by the group’s compassion, and wondered if he could motivate people to help their fellow humans.

I suggested he start a food drive at his school. He gave me a knowing smile and said he had something a little different in mind.

Kenan led his fellow students to gather enough red Quaker Puffed Rice boxes and blue Quaker Puffed Wheat boxes to create a giant mosaic depicting a heart on a blue background measuring 2,213.22 square feet, which at the time was a Guinness World Record for a cardboard box mosaic.

The lesson: Don’t just set goals, truly motivate people.

Having goals is important, but if you really want people to get excited, you have to find a way to motivate them. My son knew that if he asked his peers to donate food, their response would probably be lukewarm at best. But being a part of recorded history? That’s something worth getting excited over.

If you want your company to be great, you’ll need something better than just beating some arbitrary sales number.

Symbolizing success.

Making a heart from rectangular boxes isn’t easy. My son and wife pored over the plans for hours. I suggested he switch it from a heart to something else that was easier to create. He told me the heart was necessary–it was a symbol of love and caring, and the entire project was meant to show caring for the homeless.

The lesson: Symbolism matters.

Forget corporate logos, in business, the important symbols are things like recognition awards for staff or cards that celebrate people’s birthdays or special anniversaries. These things matter to people.

Communicating consistency.

The world record event took about a year of planning. Kenan organized a crew to help, and sent them weekly emails to keep everyone updated.

There were quiet periods, like when they waited for the world record application to get approved and during the summer months when team members were away. I suggested he might skip the emails on some of these quieter weeks, but he kept sending them every Sunday night, saying he didn’t want his team getting complacent.

The lesson: Consistent communication matters, even when your message is limited.

Communication is how we create momentum and use symbolism. If we allow ourselves to get lazy because we don’t have much to say, it can sputter to a halt. You should keep your communications consistent so people know what to expect and when to expect it.

When you get inconsistent with your communication, people feel left in the dark.

Eschewing comfort.

Everything my son did for this project was beyond his comfort zone, including:

• Giving speeches.
• Learning project management.
• Conducting TV and radio interviews.
• Asking for help from people and companies he didn’t know.
• Talking to his friends about the project instead of whatever they usually talk about.
• Asking his school principal for use of the gymnasium for the project.
• Convincing my wife and I to spend money on the project.
• Spending his own money on the project.

All of these were things he was not comfortable doing, yet he did them anyway. When I asked if he wanted help with any of it, he replied that he’d rather learn to do it himself so he could get the experience.

The lesson: You should never be comfortable when you’re trying to change the world.

Being comfortable isn’t really part of the deal, especially for entrepreneurs. Often, feeling comfortable is how we know it’s time to start something new.

For his efforts, Kenan was rewarded with a wealth of experience, a sense of accomplishment, and the knowledge that he was able to help both his peers and people who struggle with hunger on a daily basis.

Oh, and he also received a shiny medal to hang around his neck: a Prudential Spirit of Community Award for being one of the top five middle school volunteers in the entire country.

As for me, I learned you’re never too young or too old to learn how to be a better entrepreneur.

The post How My 13-Year-Old Son Taught Me to Be a Better Entrepreneur appeared first on Cross Ocean Ventures.

No job description has more bullet points than a mom’s: nurse, teacher, nutritionist, accountant — not to mention the voice of innumerable storybook characters. It’s hard to juggle all this alongside a business, and you might feel like you’re always sacrificing something, whether that’s time with your kids, your business, or time for yourself (yes, that’s still a thing).

This balancing act can leave you feeling guilty, but that guilt is unhealthy and ultimately unproductive. It drags down your mood, hurts your work, puts more pressure on your relationships, and can eventually erode your health.

But you can beat your guilt. With the right mindset — and by being a bit kinder to yourself — it’s possible to achieve that elusive work-life balance.

1. Change your work environment.

Running your own business means you have the power to establish a family-friendly culture — an environment where success is defined by quality of work (rather than the number of hours spent at the office). Strive to hire people who are understanding when you need time away from the office. Parents’ schedules are often unpredictable, and you need a team that understands you actually do have to go watch your child perform the role of “Second Tree” in the school play.

2. Realize that no one is perfect.

If you’re too hard on yourself, trying to be the perfect parent and the perfect boss, you will always be disappointed and could end up regretting your decisions. Life as a working mother has to be about balance, and the perfect balance happens when you let go of the idea of perfection. Sometimes, “good enough” really is good enough.

3. Compete only with yourself.

During his TED Talk about the difference between winning and success, John Wooden defined success as “the peace of mind attained only through self-satisfaction and knowing you made the effort to do the best that you are capable of.”

As a mom and an entrepreneur, it’s easy to look at others in your industry and imagine that they’re doing better than you are. Resist the urge to compete. It’s better to channel that energy into achieving your own personal vision of success.

4. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

We all make mistakes — as parents, as employees, as bosses, and as humans. You sometimes have to let go of the small stuff and just know that you did your best. One of the biggest sources of stress for a working mom is believing you have to “do it all.” Sometimes, you just can’t. Prioritize the important things, and stop worrying about the rest.

5. Ban regrets.

I have been a working mom for most of my boys’ lives. Do I feel guilty about leaving them? Of course. But regret can spoil both the time you have at home and the time you devote to work. I am so happy when I look at the two beautiful people I’ve raised, and I feel the same way when I consider my professional achievements. I know when my boys are old enough to be proud of what my husband and I have achieved, it will all be worth it.

When you’re a momtrepreneur, you get used to tending to everyone else’s needs before your own. You give to your kids, your business, and your partner, and it never seems to be enough.

But you must begin prioritizing your own needs, too. There’s a reason flight attendants ask you to secure your own oxygen mask before assisting others — you can’t help anyone if you don’t save yourself. I’m not saying it’s easy to meet your personal needs as a mom and an entrepreneur, but being kind to yourself and letting go of the guilt is a great place to start.

Originally from Turkey, Zeynep Ilgazand her husband immigrated to the United States with nothing but two suitcases, a love for each other, and a desire for entrepreneurship. They co-founded Confirm BioSciencesandTestCountry, where Ilgaz serves as president. As the global leader in the field of lab and instant testing for drugs of abuse and health, Confirm BioSciences is committed to being on the cutting edge of offering new, service-oriented drug testing technologies.

The post 5 Rules for Becoming a Guilt-Free Momtrepreneur appeared first on Cross Ocean Ventures.

When I was a child, the most valuable lessons my mom taught me involved running a business. During the summer months, she made me responsible for manning the cash register at her toy store, driving sales, and even overseeing staff.

The experience nurtured my passion for running a business, managing people, and building something out of nothing. If it weren’t for this experience, I don’t know if I would have ever developed the love of entrepreneurship I have today.

Yes, imagining your child running a business is terrifying, but it’s never too early to start learning entrepreneurial skills. In fact, in a June 2009 report, nearly half of employers surveyed felt grades K-12 presented the best time to learn entrepreneurship, rather than in college or on the job.

Teaching your children about goal setting, innovation, and smart money management at a young age can set them up for success in the future, no matter what path they choose.

8 Ways You Can Nurture Your Child’s Entrepreneurial Mind

There are infinite ways to begin planting the seeds of entrepreneurship in your children’s minds that don’t involve pulling them out of summer camp to attend a hackathon. Here are a few ideas:

1. Setting Goals

Goal setting is important at every stage of our lives — especially for entrepreneurs. Teaching your children how to set and accomplish goals is not only constructive, but fun, too.

Every morning at the breakfast table, our family talks about our goals for the day. For our 10-year-old, it could be preparing for a test or performing an act of kindness. One of my 5-year-old’s goals this morning was to learn how to count to 100. Then, at dinner, we tell each other about the goals we were able to accomplish that day. It’s a great way to stay connected and motivate each other.

2. Spotting Opportunities

Failing to recognize opportunities as they arise stops many of us from reaching our full potential. Entrepreneurship is all about finding the right opportunity at the right time and acting on it.

The best way to teach children to identify and seize opportunities is to praise and encourage them when they try new things. It’s a skill that will benefit them for years to come.

3. Selling

This skill is relevant to so many industries and careers. From selling products and services to customers to raising capital to presenting your brand and personality, you can’t get far in business without the power of persuasion.

Participating in fun, low-pressure activities, such as running a lemonade stand or selling Girl Scout cookies, will get kids in the practice of selling in a way they’ll really enjoy.

4. Learning Teamwork

Working and collaborating with others is one of the most critical skills for running a successful business. Teamwork brings diversity of experience and knowledge that helps you achieve business goals that much faster.

Teamwork can be learned and enjoyed at a very early age. Team sports, like soccer and baseball, and group projects for school are excellent activities to encourage. Your family should also be a team, working as a unit to accomplish shared goals.

5. Communicating

Good communication is essential in entrepreneurship and personal relationships.

Encourage your children to keep eye contact when speaking, speak clearly rather than mumble, and express what they need instead of throwing tantrums or pouting. Make sure you set a good example by letting them talk without interrupting and expressing your needs openly and honestly.

6. Giving Back

Giving back to those less fortunate is something I value in business. Giving kids the opportunity to give back at an early age helps them stay humble in the face of success and appreciate what they have.

As a family, we try to contribute by donating clothes and toys to homeless shelters. You can also inspire your children by familiarizing them with successful entrepreneurs like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, who have devoted time and money to helping others.

7. Managing Money

Entrepreneurs must be able to manage money effectively. Cash is king. It’s what keeps the door open. If you teach your kids to manage their own money from an early age, you will help them develop financial wisdom that will benefit them for years.

I recommend opening a savings account for your children and helping them add to their savings. Every week, my son comes with me to make a deposit. He loves seeing the amount of money he’s saved.

8. Innovating

Innovation and creativity are serious competitive advantages in business, and they can be taught at an early age. Whether it’s a piece of artwork or a science project, let your kids experiment and express their creativity.

Take them to meet local business owners, as well as to museums, the theater, and other fun outings that let them observe new things. Kids are sponges, and absorbing these new experiences early in life will make them more well-rounded and creative in the future.

Cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset can help your children in so many areas of their lives. By teaching them good communication, money smarts, and other important life skills at an early age, they’ll grow up ready to hit the ground running in the workforce or start their own business. You never know: Today’s knee-high lemonade stand proprietor could be tomorrow’s Larry Page or Mark Zuckerberg.

Originally from Turkey, Zeynep Ilgaz and her husband immigrated to the United States with nothing but two suitcases, a love for each other, and a desire for entrepreneurship. They co-founded Confirm BioSciences, where Ilgaz serves as president. As the global leader in the field of lab and instant testing for drugs of abuse and health, Confirm BioSciences is committed to being on the cutting edge of offering new, service-oriented drug testing technologies.

The post 8 Entrepreneurial Skills You Can Teach Your Child Now appeared first on Cross Ocean Ventures.

Running a business is tough, but if you have a spouse and kids, you know it’s a never-ending battle to keep things running smoothly at home.

It’s not just a matter of balance — running a family is a constant education in leadership. From managing projects to doling out tough love to rewarding good behavior, taking care of a family is a lot like taking care of the people who work for you.

Here are a few skills I’ve picked up as a wife and mother that I couldn’t run my business without:

1. Trust

We put so much pressure on ourselves to “do it all” that it’s easy to overlook the importance of trusting others enough to delegate when we need help. I have to admit that when I was first married, I was somewhat controlling (and we didn’t even have kids yet!).

Over the years, though, I’ve learned that working as a team gets better results with less stress. Teamwork can extend to your kids, too. Kids 4 and up can clean their own rooms, collect the garbage, and even help in the kitchen.

In the office, you have to trust all team members to do their parts so the company can achieve the best results. You can’t effectively delegate responsibilities or enjoy working as a team if you don’t trust your employees to do their jobs.

2. Financial Management

When you’re running a household, everything is part of the budget: groceries, school, allowances for the kids, entertainment, and savings. You must live within your means for the security of your family.

The better you manage your personal finances, the better you’ll manage business finances. If you can’t understand and manage the constant flow of cash, your company will fall apart. Get your company’s spending on track, and start building a nest egg.

3. Communication

Everyone knows communication is important, but my family has helped me learn that a huge aspect of communication is judgment-free listening.

After reading “How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk” by Adele Faber, I began to emphasize listening with my kids. One of the proudest moments for us all is when they talk about a problem, I listen, and they determine a solution on their own.

I’ve been equally pleased to experience this as a leader in my business. Encouraging non-judgmental listening in the workplace can help employees solve problems among themselves and arrive at a solution without having to involve me or other leaders.

4. Flexibility

With kids, things rarely (if ever) go as planned. But you learn to adapt and be flexible.

This has been priceless for me. The more agile you can be in business, the more likely your company is to succeed when market conditions change.

5. Leading with Love

I often tell my staff that leading a household is no different than leading a team at work. You need to set a good example, communicate, listen, nurture, and provide for your staff, just like your family. You should educate yourself on your role and work hard to live up to a high standard.

A book that has helped me along my journey is “Wooden on Leadership” by John Wooden, one of the greatest basketball coaches of all time. This book is full of tips on how to lead a great organization.

My husband and kids know that I love them — and that I put vast amounts of energy and thought into caring for them. My staff also knows that I love working with them, and I love the work we do. We take care of each other, and I want them to be healthy and well-balanced, as well as effective workers.

Being a wife and a mother has been the best part of my life. I have learned so much from my husband and my kids, and taking those lessons and applying them to my business has made the experiences more meaningful and my business more successful.

When you approach your business like taking care of a family, you and your team members will reap the rewards.

Originally from Turkey, Zeynep Ilgaz and her husband immigrated to the United States with nothing but two suitcases, a love for each other, and a desire for entrepreneurship. They co-founded Confirm BioSciences, where Ilgaz serves as president. As the global leader in the field of lab and instant testing for drugs of abuse and health, Confirm BioSciences is committed to being on the cutting edge of offering new, service-oriented drug testing technologies.

The post 5 Skills Moms Have Mastered That Will Help You Run Your Business appeared first on Cross Ocean Ventures.