I’m in my local Barnes & Noble, supposedly working on my next book. During a walk to restore my numb butt, I just ran across a small display of products. They’re not quite toys, but close.
If you’ve heard or seen the word “gamification,” you might understand what I’m trying to wrap my brain around. “Toyification” maybe? I don’t know.
It’s a line of products by Fashion Angels called “It’s My Biz.” They’re a series of intro-to-entrepreneurship kits that introduce the concept of starting and running your own business. I’m really intrigued by the Ultimate Business Guide.
It’s even been covered by a regional newspaper. Read the article here.
On one hand, we have the arguments about pink, girly, effeminate toys. But on the other hand – damn! Something to teach kids about starting and running a business. I mean, when I was a kid (back when we all rode dinosaurs to the one-room schoolhouse) kids had paper routes, lemonade stands, mowing businesses. Today they – what? I don’t know – sit in doors and play video games, mostly. Even the kids I see at our karate dojo are doing a million things besides learning to run a business.
I wish I knew someone who was of the appropriate age who would be interested in these. I urge you to take a look at them, even if you decide you hate the products, or could put together a better kit yourself. Maybe buy them for a daughter or niece (or son or nephew).
There’s an app for your phone (good idea!) and even a scholarship contest for “future She-E-O’s.” A bit over the top, that. But at least someone put out a series of educational “toys” that promote entrepreneurship to some segment of today’s youth.
