Hi, everyone, it's me - Matt and being an entrepreneur is a lot more work than I thought, but I really like it!

The guy beside me is Chester Greenwood.  In 1873, when he was only 15 years old in Maine, he invented the very first earmuffs.  Click on his picture to read a totally interesting story about how, with his Mom's help, he coined the term "Ear Muff," marketed his invention and became a VERY successful teen entrepreneur.  Now, over a hundred years later, I'm selling Ear Mitts®    a new, modern, more efficient version of bandless ear muffs, and I'm a teen entrepreneur, too!

I decided to go into business for myself because  1. I want to make money!   2. I want to learn about how business and marketing work      3. I want to be able to make a contribution to people who are challenged in some way because I understand what it's like and other people have helped me.

I chose to sell Ear Mitts® bandless ear muffs because I wear them myself and I really, really like them and hardly anybody knows about them.  So I figured there would be less competition.  And after all, almost everybody has ears, so that's a pretty big market, right?

My friends think it's really cool that I'm actually on the internet and several hundred people a month are checking out my website.  They think I'm making a lot of money, but one of the things I've learned so far is about building your inventory.  So except for what I donate, almost all my profits have been going right back into my business.  If I can ever get on Oprah, then I'll have some profit to spare! Don't you think this would become one of her "favorites?"  I think she'd want one of every style. 

Below are a couple of websites that I really recommend for teens and families who want to know more about how to start their own business.I've learned that being a teen entrepreneur isn't just about making money, it's also about being able to help others - giving back.  Last year, in November when I had just started my business online, I helped sponsor the Salvation Army and donated almost $400.00 to them.  It was a really good feeling writing out those checks each week.  I know lots of big businesses donated a lot more, but I felt good doing my part because I really believe in how much good stuff they do for people.

This year, I chose to sponsor the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games because the biggest games are going to be held here in Boise and I really think that what Eunice Kennedy Shriver has done for challenged individuals is awesome and should be supported.  I'm also going to be volunteering at the events and I'm issuing a Global Challenge for businesses to donate matching funds to what I give. You can find out more information on the "Special Olympics" page.

Be sure to check out the websites below and let other people know about them, too.  If you would like for me to post any of your comments, please e-mail me directly until I get my blog going. 

Thanks again for all of your support everyone.                                          Matthew

I really recommend checking out this website. Young Biz has it all!  Bonnie Drew is one of the co-founders.  She wrote "Fast Cash for Kids,"  a book I used to help me with my basic business plan. Young Biz even has a Teen Club that's awesome!  They've got a whole lot of stuff for kids ages 7-18.  If you are a teen interested in having your own business and being an entrepreneur, Young Biz can help in every way.  And if you're an adult wanting to help, even on a school or community level, boy is this the place to look for help doing it!     CHECK IT OUT! The link on the right is an awesome video showing what the kids do.

  NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR TEACHING ENTREPRENEURSHIP   

Founded in 1987 by Steve Mariotti, a former business executive and entrepreneur, while he was a public high school teacher in New York City's South Bronx.  NFTE began as a program to prevent dropout and improve academic performance among students who were at risk of failing or quitting school.  Combining his business background with his desire to teach at-risk students, Steve discovered that when low-income youth are given the opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship, their innate "street smarts" can easily develop into "academic smarts" and "business smarts."  Through entrepreneurship, youth discover that what they are learning in the classroom is relevant to the real world.

NFTE is widely viewed as a world leader in promoting entrepreneurial literacy among youth.  When young people participate in our programs they begin to unlock their unique entrepreneurial creativity, have a greater understanding of the free enterprise system, improve the quality of their lives and dare to dream for bright futures.

To date, NFTE has worked with over 150,000 young people from low-income communities in programs across the U.S. and around the world.

NEWS!  My little sister Amber has started her own business selling Kool BagsTM.
Kool BagsTM are thermal insulated grocery/shopping bags that use space age technology to keep your groceries and other items safe from store to home for up to three hours!  Check it out at YouthBusiness.us     (Made in the USA!)