Growing up with parents that are entrepreneurs; 11-year-old Makayla shares her story

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

The nature versus nurture conundrum is an age-old discussion that remains relevant to this day. What has become understood is that both genetics and environment are a key component of peoples make up. It is hard to pinpoint the balancing point, or to identify exactly what we see when we interact with others, but it cannot be denied that if you want to know more about a person; take the time to learn about their past experiences.

There was a study published in the Journal of Labour Economics that found environment, rather than genetics seems to have the most profound effect on the offspring of entrepreneurial parents. They found that adopted children were 20% more likely to become entrepreneurs if their biological parents were also entrepreneurs. If the children’s adoptive parents were entrepreneurs, it was 45% more likely children would also become entrepreneurs (Poppick, March 20, 2015).

I thought that it would be interesting to get some insight from a young person in the community who has been raised by entrepreneurs. One young lady that I work with happens to have entrepreneurial parents. Many of you know Grant and Trish Browning as the owners of Carib101 Media Group, the parent company to Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, MyTCNTV Network, and Carib101.com.

A well-known fact is that children with entrepreneurial parents are more likely to start their own businesses. New research quantifies that and goes a step further by suggesting why. I would like to present to the community the insight of one of our developing entrepreneurs. It explains what she has learned about being in business at the tender age of 11. I was amazed at the wisdom of such a young woman, and it is inspiring to see that we indeed have a bright future that will be lead by incredibly, bright minds.

Makayla B. (Junior Writer, Toronto Caribbean Newspaper)

So, as you may or may not know, my parents own the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, which is the newspaper in your hands right now, or the site you are reading this on. My parents have brought me with them to their work every day since I was around probably six months or younger. So, I’ve grown up around them doing business with many people.

It started off as a twelve-page newspaper and then rocketed up to being a forty-eight-page newspaper! That’s four times the size of when they first started. Once the newspaper was printed they put it all in a Nissan Altima and delivered it. A Nissan Altima is a very small car and they delivered around probably 10,000 newspapers, and that’s a lot for such a small car.

They upgraded the number of pages that were in the newspaper; they also upgraded their modes of transportation. They went from a Nissan Altima for delivering and traveling, to a 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Cargo for delivering and going to certain events, and a Honda Pilot (LX or EX I don’t know) for transportation and going to events. Of course, my brother and I are right there with them.

Growing up around my parents, I learned a few things about business and there are many values that I have learned being a child of entrepreneurs. One of those values is that sometimes you will come across problems that seem impossible to solve but you should not give up. You should always try your best and/or use that problem to your advantage.

Some other values I learned are: when times get tough you hold down the fort, try to pull through and never give up. There will always be problems when you start a business. Don’t worry if you start small, your business will gradually grow, so continue to believe in yourself.

Be confident and build long lasting relationships. Build up slowly, start small then make your way up. Watch where you tread, and know that one minute “wasted” is a minute you will never get back.

I have learned that I have to be a people person and surround myself with positive people, leaders that inspire others on the team.

Every business has problems when they start off. If you don’t regret a choice you made than it must have been the right one. Never be afraid to take risks, and practice the three P’s: Patience, Persistence, and Politeness.