In a recent fireside chat hosted by Giovanni Amodeo, Darya Simanovich, a serial entrepreneur, shared her insights on nurturing entrepreneurial skills in children. The discussion, set in a cozy and relatable environment, covered a range of topics from Darya’s personal entrepreneurial journey to practical advice for parents and educators.

Key Topics Discussed:

Darya’s Entrepreneurial Journey: Darya’s background and her move to London 20 years ago. Her ventures, including a school for children, a hospitality business, and property management. The entrepreneurial activities of her children, including a dog-sitting business.

Early Influences and Mentorship: Darya’s early interest in problem-solving and mathematics. The lack of a formal mentor in her early years and the organic development of her entrepreneurial spirit. The importance of role models like Richard Branson and Elon Musk.

Education System and Entrepreneurship: The current state of entrepreneurship education in UK schools. The role of parents in fostering entrepreneurial skills at home. The potential for online programs and exhibitions to fill the gap in formal education.

Children’s Unique Contributions to Business: The advantages children have in understanding their peers’ needs and desires. Examples of how Darya’s children are involved in their business, from customer service to product development.

Community and Technology: The differences in how children and adults build and interact with communities. The role of technology in scaling business ideas and maintaining connections.

Learning from Mistakes and Failures: The importance of managing expectations and learning from criticism. Darya’s advice on resilience and the value of trying multiple ideas.

Balancing Focus and Distractions: Strategies for maintaining focus in a technology-driven world. The importance of setting boundaries with technology to foster concentration.

Games and Learning: The potential of educational games to teach entrepreneurial skills. Darya’s preference for low-tech games and educational apps like Duolingo.

Future Ventures and Challenges: Encouraging children to explore new business ideas and adapt to changing interests. The role of parents as mentors and supporters in their children’s entrepreneurial journeys.

Building a Team: Darya’s experiences and lessons learned in team building. The importance of hiring for attitude and energy over skills.

Key timestamps:

00:09 Introduction to Entrepreneurial Spirit in Children
00:44 Darya’s Entrepreneurial Journey
03:10 The Role of Education in Fostering Entrepreneurship
05:12 Learning Through Business Ventures
07:25 Community and Communication in the Digital Age
11:37 Managing Expectations and Learning from Failure
14:44 Learning Entrepreneurship
18:22 Passion vs. Opportunity in Entrepreneurship
19:38 Building Effective Teams