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Sometimes, for young entrepreneurs, it can be a challenge to organize all the thoughts they may have about their new venture. They might even have trouble determining what a new product might be, or what the current market need is.

But here is a cool way to help your young entrepreneur “get the wheels turning” as they think of ways to expand upon moneymaking ideas that they may have already in mind.

It’s an exercise commonly known as “Mind Mapping” or “Concept Mapping,” and you and your young business owner can literally map out the potential of a project or idea together. (Or, you can use it in your own adult life, as well!)

Here’s how it works:
1. Start with anything to write on—from a sheet of paper (turned in the landscape position) to a dry erase board.
2. Get yourselves something to write with. Multiple colors work best, but aren’t necessary.
3. In the center of the sheet or board, write a word representing the main idea or project that you and your young entrepreneur wish to expand upon. Let’s use “Hand Made Jewelry” as an example.
4. Circle the phrase “Hand Made Jewelry” in one color.
5. Now, ask yourselves “What can we do with this idea?” The answer may be to do jewelry in local college colors (my kids did that at it was a big success!)
6. Write the phrase “College colors” in a different color.
7. Circle that phrase and draw a line from “Hand Made Jewelry” to this new idea.
8. On the other side of the paper or board, write and circle another idea using the word “Necklaces” in a different color. Draw a line from “Hand Made Jewelry” to this word showing its relevance.

Although adults use this process for better brainstorming and strategic planning, it’s great for young people because:
It’s Visual: You and your son or daughter can not only talk about the ideas in mind but you create a visual representation which helps many kids (and adults) retain what they learn more effectively.

It’s Interactive: Mind Mapping allows your child to join in with you as you together explore fun business concepts and opportunities.

It’s Viral: Once your child gets the hang of Mind Mapping with you, they can easily do it on their own for other ideas, anytime, anyplace.

By asking yourselves the question “What else can we do with this,” you can create a nice little map with additional thoughts you write out such as “Sell Do-It-Yourself Necklace Kits” and “Sell How-To Instruction Sheets online” and maybe more. So give it a try! You’ll find that Mind Mapping not only allows you and your young entrepreneur to flow with a stream of related ideas that can lead to new business opportunities, it also makes for a little interactive fun for you both.