Your kid says, “I want to start a business.”
Do you:
A. Nod politely while suggesting they finish their homework
B. Panic because you don’t know the first thing about startups
C. Lean in and say, “Tell me more”
If you picked C, congratulations—you’re already doing what Margot Machol Bisnow recommends.
SWITCH CEO Kate Brodock sat down with Margot, mom of two entrepreneurs and author of Raising an Entrepreneur, to chat about how to raise confident, creative, purpose-driven kids in today’s world. What she shared wasn’t a playbook on startups – it was a call to shift how we see our kids.
1. Home is the Original Startup Lab
Margot interviewed more than 60 successful entrepreneurs and discovered a common thread: their homes were spaces where curiosity wasn’t just allowed—it was encouraged. “It wasn’t about fancy schools or perfect grades,” she explained. “It was about feeling safe to try, fail, and try again.”
Make your home a lab, not a lecture hall. When kids know their ideas are taken seriously, they feel more confident testing boundaries and exploring possibilities. This doesn’t require elaborate STEM programs or expensive tutors—it’s about reframing mistakes as lessons, not failures.
So instead of focusing only on grades, ask questions like, “What are you curious about today?” The former sparks growth; the latter only measures it.
2. Passion is Not a Phase
One of Margot’s strongest findings was that every entrepreneur she interviewed had parents who validated their passions—no matter how unusual. “Parents didn’t dismiss their interests—they celebrated them,” she shared. Whether it was cleaning fish tanks, coding video games, or designing hair accessories, these small obsessions often planted the seeds for future ventures.
Passion is the gateway to purpose. What may seem like a quirky interest could be a stepping stone to bigger opportunities. A love for Minecraft mods could evolve into coding; a fascination with slime videos might inspire an interest in chemistry.
So the next time your child can’t stop talking about a niche hobby, lean in. Ask questions, provide resources, and show them their passions matter.
3. Let Them Lead
For many parents, the instinct to pave the safest path is strong. But Margot urges the opposite. “Entrepreneurs aren’t rule-followers,” she said. “They’re problem-solvers.” And problem-solving can’t happen if every step is scripted.
Say “yes” more often—even when the outcome is uncertain. Giving kids the freedom to make choices teaches independence and resilience. That might mean letting them launch a small project, try something risky, or even abandon an activity they’ve outgrown.
As Margot noted, the growth happens “in the messy middle.” Your support, paired with their autonomy, is what helps them stretch and thrive.
4. Cancel Something
One of Margot’s most surprising tips? Stop over-scheduling. In today’s culture of back-to-back activities, kids often don’t have the time to think freely. “Downtime is when kids dream, imagine, and create,” she said. “Don’t take that away.”
Boredom can be a gift. Unstructured time gives children space to entertain themselves, explore new ideas, and invent their own solutions. Creativity flourishes not in jam-packed schedules, but in the quiet gaps.
So skip that extra extracurricular and let your child have an afternoon off. The boredom you’re tempted to prevent may actually spark their next big idea.
5. Conversation is Currency
Parents sometimes underestimate the power of simply talking with their kids. But according to Margot, conversations are where confidence and creativity take root. “Talk with your kids, not at them,” she urged. “Ask what lights them up. Share your own failures. Let them see you as a fellow human figuring things out.”
Meaningful conversations build confidence. When children feel heard, they’re more willing to share their ideas and dreams. That openness creates trust while sharpening their problem-solving skills.
Instead of the usual “How was school?” try, “What’s something you’d like to build or fix?” You may be surprised at what comes out.
You’re Not Just Raising a Child. You’re Raising a Builder.
Margot reminded us that entrepreneurship isn’t about raising kids to launch a business—it’s about raising kids who believe they can. When your child comes to you with an idea, the most powerful response isn’t to judge or redirect. It’s to lean in.
So next time you hear, “I have an idea,” pause. Don’t jump in with a lesson plan or a reality check. Just listen. Smile. And say the magic words:
“Tell me more.”
Want the full conversation? Watch or listen to our fireside chat with Margot Bisnow for candid stories, sharp insights, and a whole lot of inspiration from Raising an Entrepreneur. It’s one of those conversations you’ll want to bookmark.
