Homeschooling the Next CEOs
When I was growing up, the message was simple: go to college, get a stable job, work hard, and someday, after decades of showing up for someone else’s dream, you might retire and finally live your own. That used to be the path everyone followed. But times have changed, and I’m raising my children to think differently.
In our home, the goal isn’t to teach them to fit into a system. The goal is to teach them to create their own. I don’t want my kids to grow up waiting for permission to live their lives. I want them to understand that they already have everything they need to start building their own future right now.
When I think about what homeschooling really offers, it’s freedom. The freedom to take the kids on a trip without asking for time off. The freedom to rest when someone is sick without worrying about missing lessons. The freedom to explore ideas and passions that light them up, not just check boxes on a curriculum sheet. And in that freedom, I’ve discovered something even more valuable. Homeschooling gives space for kids to learn who they are and what they’re capable of.
A New Kind of Education
For us, learning doesn’t stop when the books close. Gordon Kingdom began as a creative outlet, a way to connect art, learning, and family. What it became is so much bigger than that. It’s a real business, run by my children, with real products, real customers, and real lessons that go far beyond academics.
Instead of saying, “Someday you’ll get a job,” I get to say, “You’re building something right now.” That shift changes everything. When my kids help price bracelets, design new collections, or set up their booth at a market, they’re learning math, marketing, communication, and confidence all at once. They’re discovering that hard work and creativity can open doors that no degree ever could. Every decision they make teaches them responsibility and vision.
I used to hear adults say, “I can’t wait to retire so I can finally travel or do what I love.” That’s a long time to wait to start living. I want my kids to know that they can design a life they love right now. Work doesn’t have to mean burnout, and success doesn’t have to mean following the same path as everyone else. When my children wake up excited to fill an order or sketch a new design, that’s purpose. When they see their ideas come to life, that’s fulfillment. I want them to carry that sense of ownership into everything they do.
Freedom to Live Fully
There’s a lot of power in being able to say yes. Yes, we can go on a spontaneous field trip. Yes, we can travel across the world to learn about history instead of reading about it. Yes, we can take a sick day without guilt. That kind of freedom teaches kids that life is about choices, not restrictions. It reminds them that time is valuable and that flexibility is one of the best rewards of working for yourself.
When we prepare for a market weekend or a big event, the kids know that their effort determines their outcome. They learn to plan, to adapt, and to believe in themselves. That is the kind of education that lasts long after the last test is graded.
Entrepreneurship is not about chasing money. It’s about solving problems, bringing joy, and creating value. Through Gordon Kingdom, my kids have learned that they can do all three. They’ve learned that every product they make can carry meaning, and every interaction can build a connection. That’s the kind of mindset that creates leaders. I don’t want them to wait for opportunities to come their way. I want them to recognize that they can build them, one step at a time.