We’re surrounded by innovation, but that doesn’t mean marketing and sales come naturally to most people. You have an idea that you’re enthusiastic about, but what happens after that? Brian Weisfeld saw this happen when his daughters were young and while excited about selling Girl Scout cookies, they were unsure of how to turn that enthusiasm into marketing and sales. Scaling big-time businesses was Weisfeld’s thing, and watching his daughters’ foray into cookie sales inspired him to write The Startup Squad with co-writer Nicole C. Kear.
Aimed at middle schoolers, The Startup Squad gives practical advice with a story about the challenges faced by a group of girls running a lemonade stand and what they learn to make it successful. The purpose of the book is to empower girls to take charge and pursue their passions. (Collaboration is awesome, though the cynical side of me wonders why I haven’t seen teamwork and friendship highlighted in entrepreneurial books my middle school son has read.)
To put the lessons into action, the Palo Alto JCC is hosting Weisfeld in an event this weekend with the Girls Mean Business Market, featuring local girls promoting their own businesses. The May 19 event is free and runs from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the JCC Arrillaga Family Pavilion.
