The other day, I found myself humming that old country tune:
“Mama, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys.
Teach them to be doctors and lawyers and such…”
And somewhere mid-song, I rewrote the lyrics:
“Mama, don’t let your babies grow up to be doctors and lawyers…
Teach them to be nerds and entrepreneurs and value creators and such!”
Now, I’ll be the first to admit—my singing is a train wreck on a cold, stormy night, and my lyrics didn’t exactly rhyme. But I stand by the sentiment.
Let me be clear: I have nothing against doctors or lawyers (many in my family are among their ranks). But I’m making a case for also raising creators. Builders. Nerds. Entrepreneurs. Authentic souls who find joy in crafting value, not just consuming it.
In our home, nerdiness was celebrated. Instead of small talk at dinner, we’d brainstorm business ideas and sketch out Porter models on napkins. One of my favorite memories was helping my two youngest sons, Tim and Alex, launch a company they named GoldenPlasma.
This is a company idea they came up with when they were just 6 and 8 years old, inspired by a desire to help women in Africa.
You can visit the (hilarious and heartfelt) original website here:
GoldenPlasma
Now, was it a financial success? Not even close.
Was it worth it? Absolutely.
It was about the learning.
The creativity.
The confidence that comes from building something—even if it flops.
When your child asks to build a lemonade stand, sell something door to door, or invent their own backyard product line—please do not squash the spark. Pour energy into it. Cheer them on. Let them try, and let them fail forward.
Because it is rarely about the first business.
It is about the business after the business.
The lessons, the creativity, the confidence—that is what lasts.
So here’s my invitation to you:
Celebrate whatever path your children feel called to.
Raise cowboys, doctors, and lawyers, absolutely.
But also raise nerds, entrepreneurs, value creators—and above all, authentic souls.
Let them grow into who they truly are.
That is where the magic happens.
With all the hope for our future,
Rich
