How Can A Shy Kid Make Money?

When they are too young to have a regular job, kids need to be entrepreneurial to make money. Confident, outgoing kids have a natural advantage when it comes to finding buyers for their product or service. However, shy kids can become very successful, in their own way.

This is an answer to one of the frequently asked questions from the Cash-Smart Kids Program, and is copyright. All rights reserved.

Q. My daughter likes the idea of having her own business, but she's quite shy and doesn't like approaching people. What should I do?

A. Many people struggle with shyness and fear of people. Some very successful business-people still suffer anxiety, for example before making an important phone call or when speaking from stage. Let her know that the anxiety itself needn't stop her. She can feel it, and act anyway.

Helping your daughter to overcome this fear is one of the greatest gifts you can give her. Being in business is all about dealing with people, whether it is customers, suppliers, or staff. People skills are a must.

Let's face it, even as an employee, your lifetime earning capacity is more dependent on your people skills than your technical skills. University studies have shown that only 20% of variation in income is due to task-related skills, and 80% is due to people skills.

There are several very good personal development programs for children. We found The Landmark Forum for Young People quite useful in improving our daughters' confidence and ability to work co-operatively, and it is available in many countries. There may well be smaller personal development organisations offering other good courses in your area.

The local drama school is also a great place for building confidence in a fun environment. Encourage your daughter to get involved in debating at school, or public speaking.

Remember, too, that people who succeed don't wait until they have overcome their weaknesses before taking action. Business is a team game, and your daughter doesn't necessarily need to do all the "up front" people contact herself.

A business partner with complementary skills may be just what your daughter needs. Does she have an outgoing friend, sibling, or neighbour of a similar age?

Working as part of team allows everyone to focus on their strengths, which makes the whole enterprise a lot more fun.

Check out "What Is Your Child's Entrepreneur Profile?" at Raising Entrepreneurs for ideas about where your daughter's strengths might lie.

And most of all, reassure her that her fears are normal, most people have them to some extent, and she is special, loved, and parfect, just the way she is.