We recently connected with Nyanna Harris and have shared our conversation below.

Nyanna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career

One thing I believe we could use in today’s education is a course on financial literacy. Growing up as a teen, this was an optional course in high school and not everyone decided to take this route. Without the foundational knowledge, youth are to rely on obtaining that knowledge from their parents or social media which are sometimes not the best solutions. In an effort to curate a more fulfilling life and career for our young people, we must be willing to challenge the status quo and educate them on topics that are not always easy to explain.

Nyanna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am Nyanna Harris and I run an organization called Business Owners of Tomorrow. We expose, educate and equip youth ages 8-18 with the foundational principles of entrepreneurship and financial literacy. I am a former educator with 10 years of experience teaching youth from all backgrounds, socio-economic status, races, genders and the like. I received my Masters of Education from Valdosta State University and a Bachelors of Speech Communication from Georgia State University.

I entered into the space of entrepreneurship by accident as my daughter, who is now 14, loved to bake cakes. She baked her first cake from scratch at age 9 and we started her business that year. Walking her through business allowed me to create a blueprint that we now use to educate youth nationwide. The first thing I noticed in this field was a lot of youth were not exposed to entrepreneurship or they believed that in order to own a business, you had to be an adult. After exposing youth and dispelling myths, I’m able to successfully assist students while showing their parents that they too can be profitable entrepreneurs no matter the age.

Our Teach Kids Business Academy is a hybrid (virtual and in-person) and soon to be digitial course tailored for youth ages 8-18. This six week course will walk students through everything they need to launch a profitable business. There is also a workbook that can be purchased on Amazon for those who love to work independently. Additionally, access to our Facebook group is completly free. There we host monthly masterclasses and give details for upcoming money making oppportunities for our youth. Lastly, every student gets to be featured on our podcast.

What sets us apart from others organizations is our hands on curriculum. As a former economics classroom teacher, I’ve developed a curriuculm based on the standards students would use here in the state of Georgia. Additionally, our annual Youth Business Showcase is the premeir event of year as it highlights students who have successfully completed our entrepreneurship course by giving them the platform to officially launch their business to the public. I am most proud of my student success as they have been recognized collectively and individually for the success of their businesses.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I used to think it was my credentials that helped with my reputation but I quickly found out it was my teaching style. The students loved my energy. Their parents loved the hands on instruction and the results. I always tell young people to be true to yourself. Do not try to duplicate someone else.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

My Facebook group and telegram chats allow the students and their parents alike to always be connected. Monthly masterclasses are hosted in the facebook group in an effort to foster continual growth for my students as information changes and is updated. The community is also able to talk out ideas and build relationships with one another. The telegram chat provides money making opportunities for youth. Upcoming vendor events are posted there as they become available. The youth are able to decide if these are events they will be able to attend based on their schedules.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.businessownersoftomorrow.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/businessownersoftomorrow/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/businessownersoftomorrow/
• Other: Podcast: https://anchor.fm/nyanna-harris TikTok: @teachkidsbusiness