Being a 'trep is an exciting adventure. It starts with
recognizing a money-making opportunity and creating an innovative
business concept. Then comes research, planning and lots of
decision-making.
One of the most important decisions you will make is whether to
run the business alone or find a partner or partners to share the
work. So where do you start looking for those special people?
From the moment Chad Kennedy decided to start Teen
Scene, an online teen magazine, he knew it would take a
whole staff of dedicated people to accomplish his goal. "We
hope to be the number-one teen Web site by early 2004," says
16-year-old Kennedy, who has operated his site from his home in
Wheatfield, Illinois, for the past three years.
Content Continues Below
Realizing he needed help, Kennedy's first step was to call a
family meeting. Five people showed up--two cousins, his parents and
his sister, Trish. "I wanted a print magazine, but since I had
no funding, an online magazine was my best choice," says
Kennedy. "My family thought it was a great idea, so we spent
most of the first meeting discussing what to put on the Web site.
Then we decided how each person would help and how we would
structure the staff."
Kennedy's teenage cousins and sister volunteered to start
writing articles. His parents would act as "sounding
boards" for ideas. Kennedy, everyone agreed, was the editor in
chief who would handle the responsibility of enlisting more staff,
overseeing the writing and launching the Web site when it was
ready. Everyone would report to Kennedy with their assignments.
Planning for the e-zine began in late 1999. On May 10, 2000, the
premiere issue went live; now the site attracts 150,000 unique
visitors each month, and it takes 16 people to do all the work.
However, Teen Scene remains a family-operated business with
all staff positions on the business side of the magazine filled by
family members.
Avoiding Sibling
Squabbles
Although many young entrepreneurs like Kennedy choose family
members for business partners, working with a sibling or a parent
isn't always easy. Nick Skolness, who several years ago founded
Gourds Galore with his sister, Lindsay, has this advice for other
family business owners: "You can't fight while you're
working," says Nick, 15, whose Lakewood, Colorado, company
sells home décor items made from gourds. "It's just
not the right place." Disagreements should be settled in
private after the work is done, he says.
A strong friendship is necessary to do business together, adds
Lindsay, 17. "You can't let little brother-sister things
get in the way."
Alicia and David Templin, another successful brother-sister
business team, agree with the Skolnesses. "We have learned
that we always need to be there for each other," says
17-year-old Alicia. She and her brother, David, have operated an
award-winning graphic arts business in Arlington, Texas, for more
than four years.
David, 15, believes they work well together because each
respects the other's strengths and abilities. "When we
work at parties, I do the face painting and clay, and my sister
does caricatures of the children." Although they often enter
the same art contests, competing against one another for prizes,
Alicia and David help each other by brainstorming ideas together,
offering advice and support.
Structuring
Success
Kennedy believes the key to successfully working together with
family is a solid structure. "Every person on the magazine
staff has a specific job description that tells exactly what they
do," explains Kennedy. "I e-mail or call them, explain
their responsibilities, and give them a list of deadlines." To
make sure everyone understands the structure of the staff, Kennedy
posts the staff box on the site where it is easy to see.
"I enjoy talking with my sister about new ideas and plans
for the Web site," says Kennedy. "I believe we are right
on track for achieving our goals for 2004, and I'm glad my
family has been with me all the way."
Are you looking for the right person to help launch your
venture? Don't forget to consider the fact that success just
may run in your family.