
What is a Biz Kid?
Season 1 Episode 101 | 28m 27sVideo has Closed Captions
An introduction to Biz Kids.
You’ll learn that anybody can be a Biz Kid with effort and the right attitude. Biz Kids identify a need, make a plan, and take action. Join us and you’ll meet a skateboard designer, a rap music producer, a boy who started a rock-a-thon to raise money for hospital rocking chairs, and more.
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Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Biz Kid$ is presented by your local public television station.
Distributed nationally by American Public Television

What is a Biz Kid?
Season 1 Episode 101 | 28m 27sVideo has Closed Captions
You’ll learn that anybody can be a Biz Kid with effort and the right attitude. Biz Kids identify a need, make a plan, and take action. Join us and you’ll meet a skateboard designer, a rap music producer, a boy who started a rock-a-thon to raise money for hospital rocking chairs, and more.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> Production funding and educational outreach for Biz Kids is provided by Coalition of America's Credit Unions, where people are worth more than money.
A complete list of individual credit union funders is available at wxxi.org.
>> Every day, America's credit unions help members with their financial needs and with programs like Invest in America.
It's only fitting that credit unions support Biz Kids because financial education is what we do.
Learn more at lovemycreditunion.org.
>> So you think you know something about money?
Well you don't know cash.
>> Do you know the difference between a debit card and a credit card?
>> Do you know the difference between a checking account and a savings account?
>> Do you know how to double your money every seven years?
>> You don't know, do you?
>> You need to be a Biz Kid.
>> ♪ When making money is the aim ♪ These kids they bring their game ♪ They're the Biz Kids Can you dig it?
♪ They know what's up and let you know ♪ Just how to make that dough ♪ They're the Biz Kids Right on ♪ They'll learn a little more about bringing money ♪ through the door ♪ They're the Biz Kids Right on.
♪ >> Brought to you by Successful Success.
Find success today.
>> What is a Biz Kid?
>> So what is a Biz Kid?
Well, we're kind of... >> A Biz Kid knows about money.
>> Yeah, a Biz Kid knows about money.
>> A Biz Kid knows how to succeed.
>> Right, a Biz Kid knows how to succeed.
>> A Biz Kid knows how to spell entrepreneur.
>> Hey!
Wait a sec.
Never mind.
You just have to know what it means.
>> Ho ho, financial genius here.
And did you know that an entrepreneur is someone that starts a business for either profit or social benefit?
Of course you did.
You're a Biz Kid.
Now shut the door.
I've got to calculate the present value of money.
Oh, money, money, money, money.
>> Entrepreneur.
>> My name is Jordan Wilstead and I'm a Biz Kid.
>> Peace and love.
My name is Kazi and I'm a Biz Kid.
>> My name is Ben Weymiller, and I'm a Biz Kid.
>> My name is Tom Szaky, I sell worm poop, and I'm a Biz Kid.
>> A Biz Kid Knows about money.
>> Money, if you know how to use it well, can be a very positive thing.
>> Money.
Guap.
>> Bling.
>> Bling.
>> Bling.
>> Dough.
>> Dough.
>> Cash.
>> Dollars.
>> Ducats.
>> Ducats.
>> Dinero.
>> Cheddar.
>> Cheddar.
>> Cheddar.
>> Franklins.
>> Quarters.
>> C-notes.
>> Cash.
>> G-notes.
>> Currency.
>> Worm poop.
>> Worm Poop?
Eww!
>> A Biz Kid knows that money has been around for a long time.
>> My name is Lane Brunner, and this is the American Numismatic Association's Money Museum.
We like money.
Believe it or not, these are some traditional forms of money.
This is a ring made out of copper from Africa.
People would wear this around their necks, and it represented a significant amount of money because of the metal it was made out of.
Now if you were captured by a tribe let's say in a war, this was probably worth more than you were.
So the capturing tribe had to figure out a way to remove this from your neck and still keep it intact.
Unfortunately that wasn't very good for the people who wore it.
The Romans used coins for more than buying things.
In fact they kind of used coins like a newspaper.
You could find out current events, who their emperor was, or even what animals were used in the coliseum.
Nice kitty.
( roaring ) >> And now an important announcement from our leader Julius Augustus Caesar, Chairman of the Board.
>> Continue restoration of Roman Republic, Carthage ambassador, quell the slaves, invade Cleopatra, and take a vacation in March.
Well, now that we have our agenda, we will be reworking our monetary and taxation systems.
Why, you ask?
Because I'm Caesar.
>> Oh!
>> Now we're going to introduce new coins of pure gold and silver, as well as brass and copper coins.
All with my picture on them, of course.
>> But why do they need to have your picture on them?
>> Because I'm Caesar.
>> Oh!
>> I'm going to roll out three new taxes-- a general sales tax, a land tax, and a flat-rate poll tax.
>> But why do we need these new taxes?
>> Because... >> You are Caesar?
>> No, you fool.
How else are you going to pay for the construction of our new sports stadium?
>> This is a very valuable coin, because it tells the story of the murder of Julius Caesar.
If you were a Roman who received this coin, what you'd notice is it has two daggers with a freed slave's cap in the center and beneath it the words "ID Mar."
And what that would tell you was that Brutus and Cassius freed Romans from the tyranny of Caesar on the Ides of March.
>> Oh, hi, financial genius here.
And if there's one thing I know it's that anybody can be a Biz Kid.
Yep.
Now close that door.
You're going to let the money out.
>> ( mumbling ) Even though anybody can be a biz kid, not everybody is.
>> Take two.
>> Even though anybody can be a biz kid, not everybody is.
>> Oh, dude, man, come on, I just need lunch money again.
Please.
This time I'll pay you back.
>> No!
>> Hey, check out my glasses.
These babies ain't cheap.
And my bike, it's really expensive.
And these shoes, I get a new pair every hour.
>> No!
>> My name is Jordan Wilstead and I designed this skateboard.
Not only that, I sell them.
>> Now that's a Biz Kid.
>> I go to school, and I am the owner of Adapt Skateboards and Riptube.com.
As long as you're following your dreams and just doing what you think is fun, you can't fail in anything, really.
I decided that I wanted to start a skateboard company, because it was an idea I had for a while, and then ended up trying to follow through with it.
It cost a decent amount to manufacture the decks, and I usually get them 25 at a time.
And then I usually end up making $300-400 off the decks.
I have to plan on how many to order because I put most of the money I get back into the business, which is a very important thing to keep the business running.
I make money out of this business.
This is the bucket I keep of my wheels, and old trucks, and bearings, and all my skateboard things.
This is my first skateboard I ever got that my dad got me when I was ten.
These are my teeth.
This is my guitar that I rock out on.
This is an article I was in a couple of years ago about my company.
And that picture's actually taken at my school.
This is the camera that I use to film some of the videos that I made.
This is my unicycle.
I do have another idea, and it's actually called Riptube.com.
I love to film and I love to skateboard, and I thought that this was a great way to combine the two.
This is Riptube.com.
Riptube is a site for action sports enthusiasts by action sports enthusiasts.
And that's what makes this site unique and different from other generic sites where it's just a cluster of videos.
You can upload any type of clips you might want to be shown to possible sponsors or even just to your friends.
I'm not doing Riptube so I can make a lot of money.
It's mainly just because I love the sport, and I think it's a very important thing to have.
>> Now, Jordan's a pretty cool Biz Kid.
You know, to be a Biz Kid there's a lot of things you can do.
You know, anyone can make a budget.
And anyone can work toward a financial goal, whether, like, a new bike, or even a skateboard that they want.
Well, you can get it, but you've got to have a plan.
>> Wow, this dog-walking plan is working out really well.
We only need one more dog and we'll be in profit town.
( meowing off camera ) >> I guess they didn't plan on the cat.
>> Imagine, if you will, a place dedicated to all things financial, located somewhere beyond lunch money and weekly allowances.
It's a world about money, but it's a world turned upside down.
It's not a place run by old men with cigars.
No, it's run by kids, kids like you.
So if you're ready to take control, make a date with your financial future.
You are about to enter the Biz Kids Zone.
>> Cut!
Jake, 17 takes.
How many times have I told you?
Say it like you mean it.
This is the last time I use this guy.
Next time it's gonna be a Biz Kid.
>> A Biz Kid knows that a great way to keep track of your spending is to keep a financial diary.
>> Let's see.
Monday, gave Kyle my lunch money so he would stop hitting me.
Tuesday, gave Kyle my lunch money so he would stop hitting me.
Wednesday, gave Jordan double my lunch money for hitting Kyle.
Thursday, ate lunch.
>> This is pure worm poop.
And I'm Tom, and this is our factory.
Terracycle's entire idea revolves around garbage.
You know what's great about garbage?
It's free.
So we didn't pay for anything.
Every piece of furniture in our office, every computer, every desk, is from a dumpster somewhere.
And that's what's so great about garbage, is taking advantage of things people don't want.
And best of all, it's free.
There's so much you can do with garbage.
Like this, which is actually a used trigger sprayer from a company that throws them out.
We package liquid worm poop in used soda bottles and sell it to places like Wal-Mart and Home Deopt.
It takes a lot of money to build any company.
We were almost bankrupt three times, and we almost failed so many times.
And every time we were almost about to fail, we said, "Can we try one more thing?
Can we take one more step and keep going?"
And that's what allowed us to succeed.
So I used all the money I could find, borrowed money from all my friends, and was able to start the company.
We needed people who believed in our idea, and at the beginning no one believed in our idea.
Home Depot and Wal-Mart and Target are the biggest retailers in America, in North America.
We called Home Depot every day, three times a day, for 60 days, 'til they picked up the phone and talked to us.
You know, it was really hard to even be able to get a phone call with them.
And then they allowed us to come to Atlanta and meet with them.
And in I walk, I'm a kid, and it's all these people in suits talking about millions of dollars.
And, you know, we had one chance, 15 minutes to convince them to carry our product.
And at that point we just put everything on the line.
And luckily they said yes.
And then we went to Wal-Mart and Wal-Mart said yes.
And then we went to Target and Target said yes.
But it wasn't one phone call.
It was hundreds of phone calls before they even picked up the phone to begin with.
Today, Terracycle is the fastest growing lawn and garden company in America.
And we're also the number one organic fertilizer in America.
This is where it all happens.
Let's go have a look.
This is our boardroom.
This is where we do all our planning.
For example, here is where we plan all our product development.
In 2004 we had one product.
Then we went to two, to four.
This year we have 15 products.
These are all the products we want to come up with next year.
And so we have to really think everything through before we actually make anything.
But every concept starts right here.
This is where we liquefy the worm poop.
After the worm poop is separated it looks like this.
We add this into water, we add heat, we add bubbles-- turn on the bubble machine-- and after two days it liquefies.
And that allows all the great things in the worm poop to go into a liquid form.
When it's all done, and this is just about done here, it starts to look like this.
We then separate this out and take it to the bottling machine where it's bottled.
We put them on our bottling line here.
Let's fill up the line.
And then they're filled with the liquid worm poop.
You mind if we do that again?
This is now a finished bottle of Terracycle plant food.
Believe in what you're doing.
If you don't believe in what you're doing you are not going to succeed.
And you know, most businesses fail.
Most ideas don't work.
But by trying and being okay with failure, you will have a lot higher degree of success.
>> A Biz Kid is job ready.
And when you're looking for work, job ready means a lot of things.
First of all, it means you're on time.
Dude, where were you?
You're late!
>> Dude, traffic was murder.
>> Secondly, a Biz Kid leaves their toys at home.
A Biz Kid leaves their toys at home!
>> Dude, no need to shout.
>> A Biz Kid dresses appropriately.
>> What's wrong with this?
>> Nothing.
You look great.
>> Thank you.
>> And most importantly... >> What?
What, Mr. Royal Highness?
What?
>> A Biz Kid has a positive and professional attitude.
>> Positive and professional.
Whatever.
>> When you bring all these things together you'll be job ready.
And, more importantly, you'll be a Biz Kid.
>> A biscuit?
>> Oh-ho!
A Biz Kid is an entrepreneur just like me.
A Biz Kid knows about money, is financially literate.
Oh, I love the word literate.
A Biz Kid is job ready.
A Biz Kid identifies a need.
And my need right now is money.
Ha, ha, ha, ha!
>> Biz Kids aren't always kids.
♪h- >> Peace and love.
My name is Kazi.
The Hip Hop Project is a program I created in 1999... ( rapping ) That connects kids who are interested in music and hip-hop and popular culture to professionals in that industry.
And they get to write and produce and market their own hip-hop album.
A lot of times it's not only about having a self-determination within yourself.
It's about being around people who can help push you and pick you up when you are down.
I hope y'all ready.
Ready?
>> Yo, let me know when you ready.
>> I'm ready, let's go.
I would say the program is not really even about the music business per se, or about artist development.
It's really about self-development, really about teamwork.
It's about family.
Mic check, one-two, one-two.
Is this thing on?
Can you hear me out there?
It's about principles.
This is Karma Kazi and the Hip Hop Project.
If you live by principle, you can make anything happen.
You can turn nothing into something.
And I think that's why hip-hop pulls kids because, you see, you know, I'm from the hood, and most of the kids I work with are from the inner city.
So they don't have anything.
And most of us, people that we look up to are the Russell Simmons of the world.
>> So important to have projects like these.
>> People we see took nothing, coming from nothing, coming from the bottom, and made something.
What I would like to do is live an exemplary life.
I know I'm only here for a short time.
And I would like to motivate people, the underdogs, the people from the bottom, to say "Wow, he did it."
You know what I mean?
"The principles and things that I have learnt from him or his life, you know, I could make something of myself."
That's what I'd like to see.
Peace and love.
My name is Kazi.
And this is the Hip Hop Project.
>> The most important thing about the Hip Hop Project, beyond teaching young people entrepreneurial skills, it's also about self-development.
It really doesn't matter how much money you amass, or how savvy you are in business.
It's also about who you are as a person.
Being a person of integrity and honor and respect is really important in business, because that's what helps you to last.
So it's not just about getting into a business or starting a business.
It's about keeping a business and growing it for the long haul.
>> If I had one thing I could say to somebody about success that would be to give, to serve.
Any entrepreneur or any successful person is really... was about giving to somebody else.
And they gave so much that they got it back in return.
>> And now it's time for a Biz Kids Biz Quiz.
If you answered B, entrepreneur, congratulations.
You're a Biz Kid.
>> Now this new phenomenon called the Biz Kid... What exactly is a Biz Kid?
( gulp ) ( clears throat ) >> A Biz Kid is a real phenomenon.
They are very industrious.
They are very hard-working.
They are entrepreneurs, and they are very savvy about money.
And that, you see, is why I am not a Biz Kid.
>> Biz Kids have compassion for those in need.
>> My name is Ben Weymiller and I'm a Biz Kid.
Would somebody like to help me buy some rocking chairs?
It started off like a little snowball just rolling down the hill.
And eventually it got bigger and bigger and bigger.
And it's just astonishing, all of it.
Will somebody like to help me buy some rocking chairs?
My cousin was in intensive care at Mary Bridge Hospital, and my aunt was finally able to pick her up, but they didn't have a rocking chair.
And I just thought that was very wrong, because when I was a little boy my mom always rocked me to soothe me.
This is my cousin Mary.
She is one years old and she has Down Syndrome.
>> Ben came up to me at our house and said, "Auntie Andrea, I would like to give you my allowance money and put it towards the rocking chairs at Mary Bridge."
And I said "Are you kidding me?"
>> We have chores every single day, taking care of our dogs, and just cleaning up the yard, and we get ten dollars a month.
So it's four-and-a-half months of my allowance.
>> We were stunned that this kid gave up, you know, several months of his allowance just so this hospital could have one more rocking chair.
But the problem with the $45.00 was that a hospital grade rocking chair costs $725.00.
>> And I was just astonished.
>> $725.00 for a rocking chair?
I was like, "Whoa."
>> At that time, then, he said "Is there a way I can raise more money?"
>> I raised money by going to the Festival of Trees and starting a rock-a-thon.
I would sit in the lobby in a rocking chair with a collection box and a big poster board, and I would just sit there in a rocking chair for two, five, and another five hours, just to raise money for rocking chairs.
We went to an auction, and we raised about $57,000 at one auction.
This is me and Jeff Nelson at the auction.
Jeff Nelson is a former Mariners pitcher who won a world series with the Yankees, and at the auction he donated enough money so we could buy three rocking chairs.
I just thought it was the happiest day of my life.
Would you like to donate some money for my rocking chairs?
>> Here you go.
>> Thank you.
Have a good day.
This box is getting pretty heavy.
We have raised almost $85,000.
And with that $85,000 we are about able to buy about 120 rocking chairs.
>> $45 got us on the road to $85,000.
The lesson for us here at the hospital is that anybody can do anything for anyone at any point if they feel inspired enough to do it.
>> Kids can do anything if they put their mind to it.
And children like Mary Grace, their families are going to benefit by people like Ben.
So thanks, Ben.
>> This guy is quite a Biz Kid.
>> I love this rocking chair, but it doesn't match the way I love my cousin.
>> You know, you don't have to own a business in order to be a Biz Kid.
There's a lot of things you can do every day.
Anybody can take control of their money, and anybody can set saving goals.
For example, pack a lunch instead of buying one.
Or buy used goods instead of buying new.
Or skip the candy aisle every once in a while.
Try it for a month and you'll be amazed at the difference.
And also once you've saved up all this extra cash, hide it from your little brother.
>> The cool thing is that a Biz Kid can be anybody.
>> Anybody?
>> Anybody.
>> Yeah, confused?
>> Maybe this will straighten it out for you.
>> Listen.
>> I'm Mariah.
>> I'm Maya.
>> And we're Biz Kids.
>> My name is Rosie Coppelman and I'm a Biz Kid.
>> My name is Jewel Eastman and I'm a Biz Kid.
>> I'm JP Griffith, and I'm a Biz Kid.
>> Be a Biz Kid.
>> A biscuit?
>> Biz Kid.
>> Biz Kids in the house.
>> My name is Jazzmyn Dunlap, and I'm a Biz Kid.
>> Be a Biz Kid.
>> You can use your brain for gain and become a Biz Kid.
>> My name is Najee McGreen, and I'm a Biz Kid.
>> I'm Bailey Skinner.
>> And I'm Joe Deeney.
>> And we're Biz Kids.
>> We are the Futuretechs, and we are Biz Kids.
>> Well, this is all great.
But there's one more thing I can think of that makes a Biz Kid.
>> Yeah, like what?
A Biz Kid knows how to dance.
>> Biz Kids are making dollars.
♪Ki >> ♪ When money is the aim these kids bring their game ♪ they're the Biz Kids.
♪ >> Look Jake, we are trying to stress that anyone can be a Biz Kid, but in your case I'm not so sure.
I mean, a Biz Kid has to take risks, and a Biz Kid has to be job ready, and a Biz Kid has to recognize opportunity, and a Biz Kid has to have energy.
>> I've got that.
>> Where's your energy?
I don't see your energy.
>> I left it in my car.
>> This is impossible.
>> Hey, a Biz Kid needs to dance too.
>> We already did the dancing, Jake.
>> Yeah, we didn't do this.
I quit.no, no.
>> Didn't do that, did we?
Huh?
Or, how about this one?
People love at.
This thing?
>> No, Jake.
>> How about pudding?
Does a Biz Kid like pudding?
>> No pudding.
>> 'Cause I like it.
>> Jake!
>> Hey, do you know a successful business?
>> Maybe you're a Biz Kid.
If so, we want to hear about it.
Got some video?
We want to see it.
>> So check out BizKids.com to find out all the details, and maybe we'll see you on the show.
>> Yeah, like us.
>> What's so special about us?
>> We're on TV.
>> It does make us pretty special.
>> Yeah.
>> Just check out the Web site.
Because if you're a Biz Kid, we want to hear from you.
>> Production funding and educational outreach for Biz Kids is provided by Coalition of America's Credit Unions, where people are worth more than money.
A complete list of individual credit union funders is available at wxxi.org.
>> Every day, America's credit unions help members with their financial needs and with programs like Invest in America.
It's only fitting that credit unions support Biz Kids because financial education is what we do.
Learn more at lovemycreditunion.org.
Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org
- Home and How To
Hit the road in a classic car for a tour through Great Britain with two antiques experts.
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Biz Kid$ is presented by your local public television station.
Distributed nationally by American Public Television