My small group of teen entrepreneurs with BIG DREAMS, BIG HEART and BIG POTENTIAL is at it again and based on what they have scribbled down on the timeline for Q1 2010, things are definitely not slowing down anytime soon. I am ECSTATIC to report that in November 2009 the Top 4 Producing Renegade CEO’s (under my direct care) with an average age of 17.5 were ‘balling big time’ – having grossed nearly $100k combined in their respective businesses. They are igniting the energy and living through their entrepreneurial endeavors which is motivating the others. They represent a variety of traditional, service and technology related businesses and some even had to do the old school handshake big dollar contract get up. How is that for Keeping It Renegade?
So how did they do it? Same as just about everybody else – They built their “big idea” starting with zero dollars, zero business knowledge and a lot of determination. I would have to say in my experience in collaborating and sharing with these teen entrepreneurs, the difference between them and most people is they LISTENED……………………..to themselves. It’s an art in itself.
And what was my role in all this?
I cared …………and connected with them, oftentimes when nobody else did. Nothing more, nothing less. I ask the same of you and will continue to ask it of others I meet along the way.
Just because the majority of teens do not have money or a recognized name especially when they are trying to launch an idea whether it is business or otherwise, does not mean they don’t have value.
Alas, their life circumstances dictate that they are teens by default . But let it be known, they are Renegade by choice .
Stay tuned as we decide on the best way to introduce them and their respective stories.
@teenbizcoach
Comments Off Posted by Shonika Proctor on Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
Without nay hesitation nor second thought, 2010 is going to be the Year of the TEEN Entrepreneur! You heard it hear first folks. Entrepreneurship for young people is an evolutionary phenomenon that stemmed from the Internet (continue reading to learn how this came about).
Teens are often "lumped in" with another category of people older or younger than them and don’t really identify with either of those groups or they are just mulled over. People have high expectations of them yet give them every road block when they try to move forward- SORRY TEEN, I would love to work with you but the problem is you don’t have enough EDUCATION….MATURITY….EXPERIENCE….Sound familiar? They have had to take a back seat for far too long and they are tired of being labeled and told they are unmotivated and apathetic. They don’t need >> to calm down, shut up and listen, to hear you tell them what it ‘all’ means. Nor do they want to be spoken of in future tense. They are present now. They are successful now. They are making impact now. They are making contributions now and they need and want to be given credit and recognition NOW.
What can you do NOW? Open the space up for them. How will you know if you have succeeded? They will have a ‘real conversation’ with you and will return to you at some point in the near future and start another one. And if they really love you, they’ll even tell their friends!
Teen Entrepreneurs are claiming their space in the universe and owning it! And it’s about time. It takes about 15 years for a movement to evolve to something much greater than that. So it’s time! There are many a tell tale signs that is built on what has been evolving over the past decade and additionally, the number and types of inquiries we are getting from teens across the globe tells a story in itself. Not to mention, in the month of November three more teens surpassed the $10,000/mo revenue mark….whooop!
What a fantastic week…it was! We had so many big things happen I don’t even know where to start. So I guess I will start from the beginning of the week.
1. Ed Nash, 18, UK, got his iphone app submitted for approval to Apple. Go Nashy! We also started his official marketing campaign for LamboFaces.com LamboFaces is his philanthropic endeavor where people pay 1 British Pound to upload their face on a website. The 100,000 most interesting and beautiful faces will be painted onto a Lamborghini. The ‘World’s First People’s Lamborghini’ will then be auctioned on eBay with no reserve price and the money will be used to build a hospital in a poor community in the south of Zanzibar. No idea where people think of this stuff. I swear I had nothing to do with this, lol.
Twitter @Nashy (I am not going to spill the beans on his app, but perhaps he will. I have to say it is a pretty cool concept…in a teen tech genius type of way).
2. Ben Lang, 16, (barely 16, lol) is on fire! First he did a book review on his blog which got 25+ comments. So we were able to line him up with a feature article on next month’s Toilet Paper Entrepreneur Blog which gets a whole lotta traffic. Ask and you might receive. But threaten the influential blog owner who fears the worst if he doesn’t feature your teen entrepreneur and you know something, that usually works Also, Ben got his first article published in his local newspaper. It is a multi part article and just might turn into a regular syndicated column. WHEW HEW! When I heard that, it totally made my day. He is such a giving person and is sincerely and truly deserving of it.
Twitter: @entrepreneurpro (Ask him about his new sponsored comments program, it is a really cool concept!)
Full of grace and inspiration, Danielle Herb, Founder of Drop Your Reins, the Only Official Grrrl Renegade CEO, celebrated her Sweet 16 on October 23rd. Happy, Happy Birthday to Danielle!
We are proud to announce that one of our Renegade CEO’s (and currently the only grrrl Renegade) Ms. Danielle Herb, ‘The Horse Listener’ and ADHD Conqueror is going to be the subject of a 1 hour TV documentary exclusively about her and her company. As if she couldn’t get any more famous huh? Over recent weeks a google search on her name has soared from 69,000 search results to 658,000!!! Renegades CEO Founder Shonika Proctor is so honored to be managing her brand development, strategic partnerships in the U.S. and abroad and her 2010 International Drop Your Reins Tour, whooop!
This past week has been over the top and filled with media highlights (inc 2 TV features), double digit partnership requests from around the globe and exciting news (including accepting a partnership with a Beverly Hills TV Production co. that represents 5 Major TV networks who want to build some TV shows around our teens…more to follow). Double Whooop! But the big news of the day centers around Danielle Herb who is the 2009 Yanik Silver Underground 5 Scholarship Award Recipient and 2008 Award Recipient of the Start Something Grant (Co-sponsored by Target and Tiger Woods). Having just landed her first major sponsor earlier this week, and landing on the front page of the Fernandina Beach, FL newspaper it seems that everything just keeps getting better for this small town girl with big, big dreams!
Danielle Herb, 15, is an inspirational speaker, author, pioneer and the the founder of the internationally recognized Drop Your Reins and the ‘Drop Your Reins Experience’, a Youth to Youth Program that uses natural horsemanship to give kids tools that will assist them in ways to overcome fears and challenges, develop healthy loving relationships, build trust, grow their inner confidence and self esteem. Clinics are hosted at the beautiful Cheers Ranch in Yulee, FL.
The documentary will be filmed live on Saturday, July 11, 2009 at one of Danielle’s Drop Your Reins Clinics. SearchAmelia.TV a North Florida based media organization that highlights news and happenings in Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach and Yulee, FL will be doing the filming. The central theme of the documentary will be about Danielle and some of the experiential teaching techniques she uses with ADD/ADHD and Autistic youth using equine assisted activities. If you are in the North Florida (Jacksonville, FL) area you can attend as a spectactor or participant. http://bit.ly/IuGlz
Today is Canada Day…So Happy Birthday Canada! And in 3 days in the U.S. we will celebrate Independence Day. I thought it was timely to write about this today because earlier today Patricio and I spoke to an entrepreneurship class filled with enthusiastic 14-16 year olds at the William E. Doar Jr. Public Charter School in NE Washington, DC.
We were inspired by the youth who attended the school. It is a performing arts school and even though we didn’t get to see them doing their ‘individual talents’, it’s just the whole energy and culture that surrounds creative young people who are confident, comfortable and glad to be ’different’ or ’individualistic’. The class was attentive and they asked lots of introspective questions. To give you some idea of how much they were into it, we were scheduled to be there for 30-45 min and we ended up staying there for over 2 hours!!! We even got a chance to do some laser coaching sessions and without any prior preparation or knowing that we would be doing that, everyone came up with some really great ideas. We definitely hope some if not all of them we worked with today will actually pursue some of the ideas that they shared (and in the very near future).
This is how the life of an entrepreneur jump starts….fearlessly being YOU everyday in every way. Realize you have something special and of value to offer the world today that is truly unique to you. So don’t be afraid to OWN it!
Big thanks to Jamila White, The Ecommerce Diva (@ecommercediva on Twitter) for sharing the speaking opportunity with us. And also to Monique Riviere, the entrepreneurship teacher who hosted us today. Last but not least many thanks to all the young people who asked questions, sat in the ‘hot seat’ and openly participated in the presentation today. We appreciate your enthusiasm and are grateful to have had the chance to meet you all and share with you today!
Until next time…
remember that a true renegade ceo challenges not the limits of society….but the limits of oneself.
Comments (5) Posted by Shonika Proctor on Wednesday, July 1st, 2009
“On behalf of Girl Scouts of the USA and Microsoft Windows, I would love to introduce you to a new initiative called “LMK (text-speak for “Let Me Know,”) which provides parents and girls with resources catering to both generations, and whose goal is to bridge the digital gap between parents and teenagers.
On www.lmk.girlscouts.org, the girl-targeted website, teens can find interactive quizzes, videos, and expert articles to be informed about online safety in a fun way! Girls can comment on the site content, sharing their thoughts, experiences and perspectives on topics many teens face everyday, like cyberbullying and social networking. New content is posted periodically and will cover twelve different areas related to being a teen online today. Teens can even download an interactive patch they can share on social networking sites like Facebook, just by registering for the site at no cost. Best of all, it’s for all teenagers, not just Girl Scouts! (more…)
Comments Off Posted by Shonika Proctor on Tuesday, June 30th, 2009
Carrrlita27 (sometimes incorrectly referred to as Carlita 27) is a 14 year old teen entrepreneur and rising online star aka internet personality on You Tube. See her video below that has over 3.5 million views!!! In a recent interview on Fox she said that she started making videos for fun about random things in her life and one of her videos went viral (meaning it was getting sent all over the place) and that basically started a domino effect. As a result of all her instant new found fame she got contacted by You Tube with an offer to set up a partner account and now she enjoys paid advertising on her site and her site draws in somewhere in the 4 figures per month.
I know a lot of teens that try to go this path of overnight You Tube Star. But it seems like when you are trying to make something viral no matter how much marketing you put forth it never happens! Go figure, huh? It is always something really random that becomes popular. Needless to say if you are out there marketing you tube videos you should always have a blog or something ready to be able to capture the continued interest of all those ‘fans’ who may be curious about you in general and want to see other things you have to offer. And instead of focusing all your efforts trying to make a viral video, focus on your niche/specialty business and create videos that tie back to that brand. This is what will build you a strong, loyal following of raving fans and repeat buyers. Remember it was ultimately the turtle who beat the hare.
Ready to start your small business empire? Send the responsible adult in your life here http://bit.ly/4P8dx
Until next time-
keep it real and keep it moving…. @teenbizcoach
Comments (4) Posted by Shonika Proctor on Thursday, June 18th, 2009
…because there’s no business like YO’ business! Sooo, in case you missed our casting call a few months ago, you’re in luck- we got another one! Whooop! Whooop! So get your requests in TODAY!!! No sending me requests all 1 month late this time Deadline for submissions is Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 at 5 pm (eastern time). Tweet it, Facebook it, MySpace it, Beatbox it, Blog it…Whateva! Let’s increase the chances of someone we know getting selected because it will evolve us all!
What’s All The Hype About?
If you are a teen entrepreneur 18 or younger with an operational business and got BIG DREAMS, BIG PERSONALITY, BIG NERVE and are BIG BALLIN’, HOLLA because you are the ultimate Renegade CEO and we are looking for you! A happenin’ producer for mainstream television shows like Supernanny and the Real Housewives of New York is in search of YOU….more specifically YOUTH!!! Peep the shout out in USA Today: http://bit.ly/cHF3J
They are looking here and there, high and low, near and far, over and under for a teen between the ages of 13-18 who has an existing business, got their legalmoney making groove on and have something that has the potential to grow worldwide. They will even consider teens who work in a family-owned business. (If you don’t fit this profile, please pass it forward. It will come back to you and in a much bigger way, I promise! And besides, I have more media related announcements coming up…so standby).
If You Got It, You Got It!
As teens from all over the U.S. are going to be competing for these coveted positions your charm, passion and business mindset is going to play a big role. Remember, if you have to convince ’us’ that you have these traits, this is probably not a good thing (ya’ know what I’m sayin’?). So don’t set yourself up. Besides, if you’re perfect and your business is perfect, then you are probably really boring. Surprise us with your minor imperfections…do teens really have those??? :)
Seriously- Just be confident and most importantly be YOU!
How to Enter:
The last time I took media requests I got slammed like an around the world dunk. So to simplify the process this time this is what I need you to do:
Send an email to media (at) renegadeceos (dot) com
An auto reply will be sent to you where you will need to fill out the required questions. If you meet the criteria – once the production staff is ready and needs additional information or wants to set up your pre-interview s/he will personally follow up with you.
Okie dokie my friends- Good fortune to you all and remember that you can’t be selected if you don’t enter. And if you get selected make sure you give a shout out to the Renegade CEO’s. Thanks, I am so grateful for you ;-)
Again, promptly send your email to media (at) renegadeceos (dot) com to get the process started.
XOXO
@teenbizcoach
Comments (5) Posted by Shonika Proctor on Wednesday, June 10th, 2009
This morning I read an article entitled: Obama Promises More Than 600,000 Stimulus Jobs http://bit.ly/a28T5
YAWN…let me just call it now- Stimulus Jobs and Stimulus Bail Out- EPIC FAIL. If you don’t get it, you don’t get it >:-) I have been reading the stimulus bill. If you want to peep it you can check it out here: Read the Stimulus (1500+ pages and counting).
But before I break out into the anatomy of a Stimulus Job, let me just put it into you in simple terms. In the famous words of musician T.I. It is not who gets it first but who has it last.
As you already know, today’s youth and their genius business ideas are the real stimulus for today’s economy. After a long hard winter in our creative living laboratory we have finally emerged, with the ultimate youth business plan outline in hand.
Designed by Us. Built by YOU(th)! The Teen Renegade CEO’s are proud to present the Teen C.E.O. Blueprint: 7 Steps to Identifying and Leveraging Your True Potential. Like a true Renegade it’s a home/private study course to be reckoned with. Whoever thought that something so seemingly one dimensional could have so much personality and attitude??!?!?
Unlike all those ‘other’ youth entrepreneur courses this one not only works complimentary to them all, it also allows you to learn it in your space AND on your own time…No Adult Supervision required- sweet huh? Naturally like all of our products it’s Rated R for Renegade. It’s raw, edgy and defiant because it was designed by your peers…ALL teen C.E.O.’s. But wait, there’s more!!! The Blueprint was inspired, created and is taught by your peers ages 13-19 years. So how cool is that? Let me share a few of the course titles with you so that you can get a feel for the energy of the program:
Bootstrappin’ for Teen C.E.O.’s, Strings Not Included
Keeping It Real With Offline Marketing
Girl C.E.O.: How to Bring Out the Grrr in Girl
Outsourcing: Be 2 Places At Once
Po’ No Mo’: Why Being Poor is by Choice, Not Chance
Ooooh, did that last one hit a nerve? Great! That is the intention. Controversy sells you know?! But seriously the Teen C.E.O. Blueprint is really good, high value, high energy stuff. Whether you are seeking inspiration for a new idea, want to expand your brand into writing books or public speaking, get featured in your local media, want to learn how to outsource or get started in online or offline marketing, we’ve got you covered. With over 20 audio courses from teens in my private coaching program who have been there and done that, 200 pages of worksheets and templates, and 100+ free ideas for bootstrapping teen C.E.O’s this blueprint deserved a website of its own. Yes, it sounds so good even adults are trying to order Blueprints for themselves and get in on our good thing. When will they ever learn?
So check out the site and learn how you can start getting your young entrepreneur groove on. Also, be sure to peep the ‘Earn Money’ link. You can earn $150 per sale (50%+) through our affiliate and fundraising program. Share it with your school, sports team or faith based organization to really get the dough rolling on! No inventory to handle, no cash handling to worry about, no customer service issues to resolve. Just promote and go and we will take care of the rest. How much better can it get? And boy oh boy or girl oh girl just wait ’til you see the phresh baked bonuses! Peep the program details here: http://bit.ly/m8j0Z
Comments Off Posted by Shonika Proctor on Monday, May 11th, 2009
Also, Ben got his first article published in his local newspaper. It is a multi part article and just might turn into a regular syndicated column. WHEW HEW! When I heard that, it totally made my day. He is such a giving person and is sincerely and truly deserving of it.
just wait ’til you see the phresh baked bonuses! Peep the program details here: 
