Happy Mother’s Day to you. Today is a short day on my end since it’s Mother’s Day for me too! This post from Margot Bisnow (author and so much more) wrote this book after spending a lot of time talking to various entrepreneurs at events that her entrepreneur sons were attending. She found a common thread amongst these young entrepreneurial types– a supportive mom. Margot Bisnow has provided a great piece sharing some of the key elements of her book
Thanks, Mom, For Entrepreneurs!
By Margot Bisnow
On Mother’s Day, let’s think about what it took all the great entrepreneurs to have the confidence, competitive drive, and resilience to start a company or non-profit. How did these self-starters get started? I researched this for a book I wrote that was recently published, and the answer is: Moms!
I interviewed 60 successful entrepreneurs and their moms about how they were raised for my book, Raising an Entrepreneur: 10 Rules for Nurturing Risk Takers, Problem Solvers, and Change Makers . I purposely chose a very diverse group: half men, half women, every race and religion, from every socioeconomic group and family type. And yet, despite coming from extremely different backgrounds, in many fundamental ways they all were raised the same.
But in addition to the 10 rules that the families used, there was one rule that everyone had in common, one overarching way they were all raised. Every entrepreneur in the book had someone –- generally a parent, and usually their mom – who believed in them. When I tell people, they all say, “But every parent believes in their child!” No, actually, that isn’t true. Every parent loves their child. Every parent wants their child to be successful. But most parents think if their child pursues their passion – does what makes their heart sing – they won’t be successful.
Most parents with a child like my younger son Austin say, “Of course you can take music lessons in high school, but in college you have to major in something useful.” None of the parents in the book did that. By the way, we didn’t either, and today he’s the lead singer of Magic Giant, whose songs are climbing in the Alt Radio charts, whose album In the Wind comes out May 19, who’s played sold-out shows at the Troubadour and the Roxy, who’s playing the Constellation Room in Santa Ana {May 19}and ‘School Night’ at Bardot (LA) on May 22 (a mom can brag, right?)
Let me give you some examples of great moms who raised extraordinary entrepreneurs who live in the LA area. How do I define entrepreneur? It’s anyone who started something: for profit, non-profit, artist, activist, anyone with an entrepreneurial mindset, who’s creative, driven, resilient, and works tirelessly to turn their passion into a project.
Kiva cofounder Jessica Jackley’s mom Sandra told her she could do anything she wanted to do, discussed different opportunities with her, and encouraged her to pursue them. Her dad David chose a theme with her for each school year, such as “ask the right questions” which showed her how to approach different projects with intention. Kiva, the first person to person micro-lending website, has facilitated almost one billion dollars of loans to struggling entrepreneurs in developing countries.
When movie producer Jon Chu‘s parents saw how much he loved making movies when he was in third grade, they found the money to get him a mixer. When he was in high school and his mom Ruth saw his passion for filmmaking, she got him books so he could learn more. And when he shot his first movie at USC, she drove to LA and supplied food to the cast and crew for 10 days. He’s now filming Crazy Rich Asians and was tapped by Hamilton creator Lin Manuel Miranda to film his first musical In the Heights.
Actress Emmanuelle Chriqui’s mom, Lilliane, was such a strong presence, that although she died when Emmanuelle was 16, she’s been a voice in her daughter’s ear ever since, that keeps her going through tough times. She encouraged her daughter to pursue big dreams, and was courageous enough to allow Emmanuelle to be who she was, not who she wanted her to be or society expected her to be. The former Entourage star is now filming Super Troopers 2.
TOMS Shoes founder, Blake Mycoskie and Aviator Nation’s founder, Paige Mycoskie’s family is always there for each other. Their mom Pam knows that closeness is one of the best things you can give your child, so she and her husband Mike always loved their kids and supported them in whatever they wanted to do – even when Paige moved back home in her mid-20’s to start sewing clothes she was designing. And they always tried to teach their kids to serve others and that it’s better to give than to receive, lessons Blake uses in running his company.
Revolve Impact founder Mike de la Rocha’s mom Gloria worked two jobs to pay tuition at a high school where she thought her kids would thrive. She gave her children a foundation, so they always knew if they failed, she’d be there to hold them up. He fights for social justice with his Schools Not Prisons initiative, a free music and art tour and public education campaign by Californians for Safety and Justice.
Quddus got his break when he became the host of the hit MTV show Total Request Live. He spends his time consulting, working with his production company The Q Side, hosting large events such as The Global Citizens Festival, and cofounding coaching/mentoring firm Camera Ready. His mom Jacoba Devos supported him in everything he wanted to do; encouraged him to think independently; and raised him to know he has a duty to contribute to the world.
All of these entrepreneurs had moms who believed in them. They all sent the same message to their kids: “We support you. We trust you. Follow your passion. Dream big dreams. “ So this Mother’s Day, let’s thank every mom who believes in her kids. Because whether those kids become entrepreneurs or not, knowing they have their parents’ support will help them on their journey. And maybe help them do something great, for themselves and for the world.
Happy Mother’s Day !
Margot Bisnow
Bio of Margot Bisnow:
Margot Machol Bisnow is a writer, wife, and mom from Washington, DC. She spent twenty years in government, including as an FTC Commissioner and Chief of Staff of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers, and eight years writing a popular daily online social newsletter. Her son Austin has written successful pop songs and started the popular band Magic Giant. Her son Elliott founded Summit Series, a noted international conference series for millennial entrepreneurs, and led the purchase and development of Powder Mountain ski resort in Utah as a permanent home for their community. Her husband, Mark Bisnow, founded a national newsletter company, Bisnow Media, which was acquired in 2016. Their dog is the only one in the family who gets enough sleep.
Margot Bisnow’s Book: Raising an Entrepreneur: 10 Rules for Nurturing Risk Takers, Problem Solvers, and Change Makers ( Raising an Entrepreneur: 10 Rules for Nurturing Risk Takers, Problem Solvers and Change Makers ).
Follow Margot Bisnow on these social platforms:
Website: http://raisinganentrepreneur.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011962577436
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margotbisnow/
Twitter: twitter.com/MargotBisnow
Thank you to Margot Bisnow for a terrific guest post. Moms’ are everything!!
Stevie Wilson,
LA-Story.com
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