Seven years ago, we launched BizKids with a simple yet powerful mission: to provide hands-on, real-world experiences that would inspire kids and show them what they were capable of. We started small, right in the heart of the Tri-Cities, BC, running local programs and hosting fresh, exciting Markets that quickly became a staple in the community.
At first, it seemed like we were just teaching entrepreneurship—helping kids set up businesses, sell products, and engage with customers. But the kids were teaching us something even more profound. It was never just about the businesses they were creating; it was about the human skills they were developing—the kind you can’t measure but can see unfolding in real time before your eyes.
More Than Just a Market
It wasn’t about selling lemonade or crocheted coasters. It was about what happened between the transactions. Kids began to believe in themselves—not because of praise from us or impressed parents, but because they learned through experience. They weren’t just interacting with strangers—they were learning to communicate, negotiate, and navigate real-world challenges. They weren’t waiting for permission to succeed; they were realizing that there were no right answers and that achieving great results was simply about believing in themselves and putting in the effort.
We saw it in their confidence. We heard it from their parents. And it became undeniably clear: this was about so much more than business. It was about self-worth, resilience, and unlocking a belief in their own potential.
Unpacking the ‘Why’
Looking back, I realize that BizKids was also teaching me something. As the programs grew, so did my own understanding of why I was so driven to do this work. My past, once filled with experiences I didn’t fully appreciate, started to take on a new meaning. The struggles I once saw as obstacles were actually the foundation of my purpose.
I thought about my own journey—how, in the depths of depression as a teenager, feeling stuck with no direction, everything changed with one decisive choice. It didn’t happen overnight, but that one decision to change my trajectory led to a series of steps that ultimately shaped the path I’m on today. And now, every time I see a child’s perspective shift, every time they see their own potential for the first time, I’m reminded of the power of that moment of realization.
The Early Days: Making It Happen
Like any start-up, BizKids had its scrappy beginnings. We needed photos for our website and marketing materials, so we quite literally asked our neighbors and friends if we could borrow their kids for a photoshoot. We bargained with Vancity to let us set up a tiny lemonade stand so we could capture more photos (and because the Tri-City News already wanted to do a story on us).
From the outside, it looked like we had momentum. In reality? We hadn’t even run a program yet.
But that’s the thing about starting something new—you don’t know everything on day one. Sometimes, there’s just something inside you telling you to do it, even if you don’t fully understand why yet. Over time, with Focus, Faith, and Effort (a mantra I stole from my time at 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, where it was written on the walls and ingrained in every onboarding session), the deeper reasons begin to unfold. You start to uncover the real ‘why’ behind what you’re building.
For me, I think I’m still unpacking it. But I know one thing for sure—BizKids is bigger than just me. It’s bigger than our programs. It’s about every child, parent, educator, and community leader who has seen the magic firsthand. It’s about the stories, the moments, and the transformations that happen when someone realizes what they are truly capable of.
Thank You for Being Part of This Journey
To everyone who has been part of this journey—whether you’ve enrolled your child in a program, cheered them on at a Market, volunteered, donated, mentored, or simply believed in what we do—thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I appreciate you.
Seven years in, and we’re only just getting started. But wow—look at what we’ve been able to achieve so far.
Here’s to the next chapter. 
