While at Barbie Headquarters in Los Angeles, I had the opportunity to bring home the new Entrepreneur Barbie for my girls. Entrepreneur Barbie marks her 150th Career. 150th – amazing, right?
So, exactly what business is Barbie is starting? Well, that’s all up to the imaginations of kids.
Barbie says on her Linkedin page, “My new business is ‘Dream Incubator’ where I act as a consultant, helping girls around the world play out their imagination, try on different careers, and explore the world around them. Our company tagline is ‘If You Can Dream It, You Can Be It!”
When I introduced my girls to this newest Barbie, they needed some explanation. After all, they know what ‘Nurse Barbie’ or ‘Rockstar Barbie’ was, yet we hadn’t ever discussed what being an entrepreneur was. I didn’t realize that until they looked so confused over the word ‘entrepreneur’. So, the first lesson was to tell them what being one meant.
After this discussion, the girls were immediately buzzing with chatter. Together, they decided that this Barbie needed to start her own business, right now. My girls had a clear vision in mind too – a fashion boutique business.
So, gathering all their doll clothes and accessories, they worked together to set up shop.
My oldest, Isabelle, decided that the first order of business was to decide which clothing to showcase. Then, there was the task of showcasing the fashions. That part had to be built.
Isabelle scoured the craft cupboards and found some popsicle sticks which she decided would make the perfect clothing racks. Using a glue gun, she made the racks and added extra glue for good measure. I’m amazed at how well she designed her racks, to offer full support with the weight of the clothing.
Isabelle tried to make little clothing hangers from pipe cleaners, yet thanks to a major crafting session last week, we were left a little short. We searched high and low for the adorable hangers that came with Barbies Dreamhouse, yey we cannot find them. I promised to try and buy a bulk pack of hangers for the girls boutique – you can buy those right? Yikes!
Anyway, the next order of business was for the twins to set up Barbie’s desk and chair. They also decided on the arrangement of the store while Isabelle finalized the inventory.
They knew from having lemon-aid stands in the summer, that they needed change for their customers. So, off the twins went in search of money – a perfect opportunity to use the coins from our travels.
Once the clothing racks and supply for the store were settled on, my oldest realized they didn’t even have a name for their shop. Once again studying the stock they had for their boutique, she decided on ‘Shirts, Skirts and More’. Again, this required the making of a huge sign, for advertising purposes.
I sat back and watched the girls, admiring their corporation skills and how well they developed a business plan. They were able to delegate and work together to get a lot of the key aspects of starting a business, well underway. Plus, they had a blast doing it – full-on creativity.
Thanks to Entrepreneur Barbie, they were able to learn so much. I’m always amazed with the ideas they come up with, and how they stop at nothing when taking on play.
My living room is now a full-time boutique and guests are hounded to browse and buy the already Fall 2014 collection. In fact, I myself was talked into buying a fabulous denim skirt, and am still laughing at how they walked off with my money and I’m left with foreign coins for change.
The great sales is due to their decision of not to ask ‘Would you like to buy …” but rather a direct and strong ‘“would you like one or two?”.
I have a feeling these girls of mine will possibly be quite the business women some day!
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That is adorable! They worked so well together on that project…and it looks like they had a great time doing it!
They had a great time! I watched and helped where they needed it but was amazed that the bulk was all on their own. Great way to spend the day!
What a great project. I always like accessories for my Barbies when I was a little girl, too!
Their accessories are treasured that’s for sure!
this is such a cool idea, I know my daughter would have a great time with her barbies with this!
The things they come up with! lol
My girls love Barbie so much! They would love to participate in this awesome Barbie Project!
I’m going to have to get this Barbie for my niece, I really like that it stimulates free play and encourages this discussion. Girl power!
YES!! I can’t wait to see what our Entrepreneur Barbie does next!
Your girls have a very healthy imagination! What a great thing that Barbie is doing.
Thank you! 🙂
I love the little clothing racks, how very creative of them! Way to go girls!
Ok, this is truly a Barbie I could get behind! I love that they are encouraging the girls to dream to be an entrepreneur. And since it is open-ended, their dreams are their limits!
Well said Amanda, I agree!
I really love your project posts, I feel young again with each one!
Thanks Judy, it’s a good feeling, isn’t it?! 🙂
I like the way they thought this business out, I used to do somethign similar as a kid but not as planned out as theirs. They are very dedicated.
I was very surprised they {on their own} started making lists and plans before ‘just doing it’. Amazing!!
How creative are your girls? I love their sales pitch!
Ha, thanks Pam!
Oh my! What creative goddesses they are going to be. I love how enterprising they are and what great imaginations. Totally made me smile.
Thank you Laura, my cheeks are well used to smiling around here! 🙂
I love Barbie when I was little. I love their little sales pitch. lol
Thanks Tess!
They look like they’re having so much fun! So creative!
They were! Umm, it’s still set up in my living room, I don’t have the heart to move it!
I used to make clothes and furniture for my Barbies!
Me too Christine! 🙂
Aww, how fun! My daughter would love these.
Oh that is so cool! Loving the idea of Entrepreneur Barbie, what a great way to get kids thinking outside the box. I love your kiddos new store, I would totally shop there 😉
Thanks Dawn, love the creativity this particular Barbie inspired!
I love this! How creative.
Thanks Brett!
🙂
Great idea!!! I cannot wait until my daughter can play with barbies. I used to interior decorate my barbie house.
Me too! It was so fun! I can’t wait until you can play Barbies with her too!
I miss playing Barbie’s…I loved playing with Sara when she was at that age…we had so many sets and we would have such a wonderful time just the two of us!
Great memories I’m sure!
I get the biggest kick out of watching my girls play with Barbie. The stories that unfold from their imaginations as they play are priceless.
Indeed!
very good ideas – the girls are so cute and smart!
Thank you!
Oh, I love their sale tactic. Very smart and pro. They are very creative!
🙂
This might just be the best thing ever! Great job girls and good on Barbie for inspiring them.
Thank you!
so much fun! I think I liked playing with the barbies more then my kids did. I like arranging the furniture in the barble house I had built I finished painting it christmas eve!
Awe, that is great!!! lol
I have been a Barbie girl since the 50’s and have collector Barbies in boxes. I had hoped that either my daughter or grandchild would like them but they are not Barbie girls. Not even my nieces. Must have skipped a couple of generations
Oh no! On the bright side, your toys won’t get wrecked! lol
Way to work together girls! 🙂
🙂
Such fun! Looks like a lot of creative and imaginary play was happening here! Love the little clothes rack.
Thanks Brandee, I’ll tell her that, she’ll beam from ear to ear!
It’s is amazing how well children can work well together and be business savvy, more so than some adults!
True, but can you imagine if we threw tantrums like that?! lol
It’s so nice that Barbie is now helping girls plan their future, possibly their career.
I believe she always had but this one is in a very modern, vague way. It lets the girls decide which path to take, just giving them the first inspiration needed.
I loved my Barbies when I was a little girl and then when my girls were old enough to play with them, I love how you can let your imagination go where it wants, I’m so amazed at how well your girls worked and played together so nice to see, my two would of been fighting within the first two minutes. I loved how they came up with owning a clothing store and the name of the store is perfect, love it!!!! this was a great post and thanks for sharing brought back lots of memories!!
Well, it is a rare occurrence and some personalities that are more bossy tend to try and take control. Yet, when they have a common goal, there’s no stopping them! lol
encouraging children to be creative and teach then at a young age that the world is open to anything they want to be
YES!!
How wonderful! I love following your girls growing up as it takes me back to my own childhood. I can join them in their excitement with Barbies for sure! Thanks so much for sharing with us all!
This made me smile, thank you!! 🙂
I loved Barbie when I was a child and my children and now my grandchildren love her although I never thought to do anything as creative as this
What a great idea and love that they worked together as a team! Great creativity too!
What a great idea for little girls! I love that all your girls got together to help with this project Tammi!
That is so cute and very creative.
Pretty cute! I especially love the little homemade clothing rack – very smart indeed! I love Barbie and the creative play she sparks – so fun and has been for so many years.