Skip to main content

Baby Shark (doo doo doo...)

Our family loves to watch  'Shark Tank'.  Its an incredible show that entrepreneurs get the
chance to pitch their ideas to business owners for financial backing.  We love it for the cut-throat negotiations and the brilliant ideas of those needing business help.  Well, those business ideas have streamed down to our intuitive boys.  They are always thinking of ideas to build a business and make money.  Well, the youngest came up with this fantastic idea. For real, it was outright ingenious!
 
So the conversation on this great concept came to the breakfast/ dinner/ work/ office/ idea...table. 

"Dijon, did your son tell you about his business idea?", my wife says.  His face lit up at the opportunity to tell.

"Okay son.  Well, you have to pitch this as if you are presenting to the Sharks.  Think your idea through and be ready to present.", I said.

"Okay." And so he began to think it through.  A silence swept across the breakfast/ dinner...(you get the idea) table.  And the pitch began.  "I want $25,000 for 25% in my company.", he said. 

We had all the sharks at the table too.  The mock negotiations began and it was intense! Since I'm Black and formerly bald-headed, I had to be Damon. Nice.  "I'll give you the 25,000, but I want 40% equity in your company.", I said. He hesitated. My oldest started screaming, "Well since you have no sales, I'm Out! I'm all about the money!"  After everything was said and done, it was fun time exploring ideas and a great learning experience.

I'm learning not to squash the excessive ideas that flow out of the minds of my children (and my wife).  It reminds me that I have to invest in them, their thoughts, ideas, and dreams.  Someone took the time to invest in me.  I don't just speak of my parents, although they were my greatest investors. I have other friends who have put time and thought into my own life and well being.  How much more do I for my children. 

Learning. I'm a man with NOS.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Before you go, I have to tell you this...

My wife and oldest son had been feverishly preparing for this for over two years. A sojourn to Egypt is what monopolized the attention of this house for about the past week. We've been packing, buying last minute items, and anticipating an almost 24-hour travel. As my wife was packing at the gorgeous time of 4:15 am, I was writing some thoughts to my son. I was giving him advice-technical, moral, physical, and spiritual advice. Even while cutting his hair last night, I was advising him. At the end of the letter, I gave him my blessing. I wrote a letter to Paula as well. And just like the one to my son, I gave her the same type of advice, just more seasoned for her needs. And at the end of the letter, I gave her my blessing. I packed the letters away in their suitcases. They won't see them until they reach their hotel in Egypt. I learned and was reminded of a couple of things from their upcoming experience. First, perseverance has its rewards. They stuck this program out fo...

It's What's Best For You

I had to have a serious talk with my boys tonight.  I had been noticing some facets of their character that I did not think was necessarily wrong, but it was not what I think was the best.  So just before they went to bed, we had a Five Minute Blitz (our version of a devotional). As many of you know, I am really working hard to build our famliy on the standards of the Bible.  Well, the backdrop for this conversation stemmed from an abbreviated Deuteronomy 10:12-13: "And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God...to love Him...and to observe the Lord's commands that I am giving you today for your own good?" I have been noticing that they were not giving their full potential in their everyday lives.  Yes, they are boys...young boys at that.  Yet, I know what they are capable of.  I now understand why my dad pushed me so hard.  He encouraged me (made me) to do chores, to wake up early (6am.....

I'm So Thankful For...

The other day, I went to my boys' school for their annual Thanksgiving Holiday service.  The Head of School told what he was thankful for.  He said how he was grateful for the big things, such as students, faculty, and family.  He also said he was thankful for the simple things, such as pencils and rulers, kids who look him in the eye when they greet him, and students who don't.  It was very heart warming and reflective. Well, it's my turn.  I am thankful for my fantastic life, full of its ups and downs. I am thankful for my dazzling wife, who has taken me leaps and bounds. I am thankful for my fun-loving boys, who keep my life alive. I am thankful for their numerous toys, and how they keep them busy when often times I can't. I am thankful for my wonderful Maryland home-it helps to keep us warm. And thankful that I have a place that keeps us safe from the storms. I am thankful that God has given me a chance to teach, where even I have le...