Internet Marketing and Home School Entrepreneurship: Part I

An Amazing Home school testimony: Christopher Klicka, senior counsel for the Home School Legal Defense Association, an acknowledged expert in the field of home school education, made a remarkable observation. In a radio talk interview on the Christian radio show, Gateway to Discovery, he stated that over 50% of all home school graduates go on to start their own businesses. Let that sink in - fifty percent. If that is so (and there is no reason to doubt his expertise in the field of home school education), there is no movement in history that can make the same claim. The potential influence of home schools upon job and business creation through entrepreneurship is enormous. Actually, there is something very striking in his words, reminiscent of the creation of entrepreneurship in Christian movements of the past. The renowned historian, Dr. Max Weber observed that wherever Christianity goes, it stirs up the creation of honest business practice. But, and he added this caveat, it seems that the deeper the Christian reliance upon the Bible, the more powerful the commercial expansion of entrepreneurship. It's no secret that home schools around the country are usually Christian and "Bible centered" in their vision and purpose. In fact, arguably "home school" means a Christian emphasis, and lays the groundwork (often unknowingly) for entrepreneurship. So, a more self-conscious "home school entrepreneurship" is beginning to grow. Let me explain. Max Weber was a renowned historian (though not "Christian" per se). Weber researched diaries, books, periodicals, sermons, government archives, church records, business records and personal letters involving Christian entrepreneurs, businesses and families, over a span of some 300 years encompassing over a dozen countries (including colonial America). In one of the most controversial (and famous) economic treatises, he argued in 1906 that movements such as the Protestant Reformation in the 16th Century, and the impact of the Bible in colonial America, created the commercial (trade and entrepreneurship) revolutions that broke out in precisely those countries where the Bible and its teachings were welcome. Why was that so, he wondered? Character, home schools and entrepreneurship Weber's observations did justice to the kinds of Christian principles guiding entrepreneurship. Having been involved in the home school movement for over two decades (and meeting with literally hundreds of home school families in a variety of venues), it is refreshing to point to the fact that these same kinds of principles, in fact, are cultured in many home schools around the country. Which principles are guiding entrepreneurship? Weber wrote of the impact of the Book of Proverbs and repeatedly saw it quoted in his documents: Seeist thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings." - Proverbs 22:29 What the historical evidence pointed to was the fact that Christianity fostered good business. Note how Weber tied it to entrepreneurship. He wrote, Christian entrepreneurship fostered: "...clarity of vision and the ability to act. It is only by virtue of very definite and highly developed ethical qualities that it has been possible for him to command the absolutely indispensable confidence of his customers and workers." Weber noted a high degree of the following character traits in the Christian entrepreneurship he researched in country after country: "They were men who had grown up in the hard school of life, calculating and daring at the same time, above all temperate and reliable, shrewd and (yet) completely devoted..." "...Their action originated from the faith caused by God's grace and this faith in turn justified itself by the quality of that action." Christianity (now through the home school too) historically taught entrepreneurship and its "gain-getting" propensities through skills and honest productivity... as opposed to war, corruption or the plundering of one's neighbor. Home school: a special advantage for entrepreneurship Home school children universally learn to be self-starters through the home school process. Many subjects lend themselves to school work in which business building exercises can be incorporated into the curriculum. Home school course work exercises might include: Business courses should be practical applications that build businesses while taking the coursework. (There is one course work concentration that is universally needed ... but few learn. Hence, their business efforts fail or remain theoretical. Do you what that is? See Part II or go ...). Home school English courses lend themselves to copywriting (writing good copy: content for websites, books, emails, articles, blogging and communication skills). Copywriting is a vital skill for Internet entrepreneurship. Computer science in the home school lends itself to Internet skills into which Internet research and marketing skills can be developed. The skills of entrepreneurship develop as academics are mastered in many ways. Business math in the home school lends itself to actual business applications, and opens up insights in entrepreneurship and opportunity. In fact, all math gives tremendous advantages, if mastered. Accounting coursework in the home school is yet another possible business application for learning to do your own books and reports. Character formation, honesty, work ethic and value - those are the keys to real entrepreneurship - are developed in the home school environment through parental influence and are further developed through Biblical and historical studies. Subjects in the home school can easily incorporate certain Internet skills for business and product development such as scanning, photography, spreadsheets, video and CD production, with minimal cost. Typing and word processing in the home school coursework is easily learned in the home school environment. Coursework involving communication skills, logic and critical thinking skills are crucial to home schools and entrepreneurship. How does all of this come together for true entrepreneurial opportunity and real business building through the home school? In part two of this series of articles, the how of using the Internet for developing a small business to find qualified clients who are really interested in your business, will be explored. Remember, home school lends itself to entrepreneurship - and internet entrepreneurship especially - in that home school children universally learn to manage and budget time, learn to move ahead at an ever quickening pace and usually gain incentive for personal excellence because studies are tailored to their individual needs. Entrepreneurship progresses the same way. Personal incentives and the need for excellence drives entrepreneurship. Of course, Christianity drives the character toward good stewardship of time and resources. Homeschool provides the opportunity and the environment. Honest business helps your neighbor solve his problem. The Lord provides the blessing. Great mix - as many are beginning to discover. Excerpted from Part II: "Most home schools don't emphasize entrepreneurship because of imagined "immense start up costs" or simply through lack of vision and know-how. This is where Internet marketing can literally plug the gap." "As an internet marketing specialist, I find opportunities everywhere. True entrepreneurship finds problems others need solved, and then finds the solution." "I know someone who was vacationing in North Carolina. He found a place that offered genuine antique stained glass windows for decoration. As an Internet Marketing Specialist, he got his laptop, did his internet research, found the going prices nationwide, threw up a quick mini sales site, bought the windows, and found a market - all before he left the vacation area. The point is, wherever he traveled, he could take advantage of almost any opportunity as it came his way. That's true entrepreneurship. Students can be taught to learn how."

by Wayne Sedlak