Charlie Gasmire said the lemonade stand and shoe shine business he created as kid had lasting effects on his life.
"When I look back on it, that was the one thing in my life, more so than sports or technology, that was the one thing I look back on and really gave me confidence to talk to people and be creative and try new things. I'm really wanting to spend my life's pursuit helping change students lives through the pursuit of entrepreneurship," Gasmire said.
That pursuit led him to create BossClub and the BossClub Foundation. BossClub teaches kids how to start their own real businesses. The program provides practical entrepreneurial education for children across the country.
Gasmire then created the BossClub Foundation to raise money so that they could offer entrepreneurial education at no cost to students regardless of their means or circumstances. The program has been a huge success with parents who say their children have transformed through the entrepreneurial process.
Students can choose a pre-defined kit like a cake pop business, or dog treat business and they get all of the tools for success. But for those who want to create their own idea, the program teaches the process of coming up with a product or a service.
For Gasmire though, it's not just about the business.
"This is something that students can apply to anything, whether they are trying to make the track team or trying to get into college or faced with difficult situations. This kind of grit and adaptability that they learn from even starting a very simple business is something that is going to help them regardless of their ultimate pursuit," Gasmire said.
The BossClub Foundation has raised enough money to send 600 children through the program and Gasmire is hoping to double that number this year. To donate go to bossclubfoundation.org.
We're proud to call Charlie Gasmire this week's KRLD Difference Maker.
If you know someone who is making a difference in the community, send Susy an email at susy.solis@entercom.com.
