Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Crystal Victoria.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

The interview aims to:

Showcase Crystal Victoria’s work in youth entrepreneurship through her nonprofit Target Evolution, Inc.
Promote the Teen Biz Box, a hands-on business starter kit for kids.
Inspire parents, educators, and community leaders to support alternative career paths for youth.
Share Crystal’s personal journey from juvenile detention to becoming an author and entrepreneur.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Empowering Youth Through Entrepreneurship

Target Evolution trains youth ages 8 to 18 to earn money and gain real-world experience.
Programs include retail and culinary entrepreneurship, with plans to expand nationally starting in Dallas and Houston.

2. Teen Biz Box: A Practical Solution

A $100 kit that includes everything a child needs to start a small business.
Three product options: Friendship Bracelets, Craft Notebooks, and Ceramic Coasters.
Kids can earn up to \$150–\$200 per box by selling customized products.

3. Alternative Pathways Matter

Not all kids are tech-focused or college-bound.
Entrepreneurship teaches soft skills like communication, customer service, and resilience.
Victoria emphasizes the importance of in-person interaction over purely digital business models.

4. Personal Story of Redemption

Crystal shares her background of being in and out of juvenile detention.
Entrepreneurship gave her purpose and a way out of street life.
Her journey is a testament to the power of second chances and vision-driven leadership.

5. Preparing for the Future of Work

With AI and automation changing job markets, reskilling and adaptability are key.
Entrepreneurship offers a mindset shift that prepares youth for career transitions every 3–5 years.

🗣️ Notable Quotes

On youth entrepreneurship:
“An app will never replace food and eating. We need programs for culinary and hospitality entrepreneurs.”
On her personal journey:
“I didn’t have a Teen Biz Box. I had trouble. But I prayed to God: ‘Give me something to do with this story.’”
On accessibility:
“Some kids don’t have bootstraps to pull themselves up. Let’s slide down the ladder and help them climb.”
On the Teen Biz Box:
“Before you spend $1,000 on your kid’s business idea, give them a box. If they sell everything, maybe they’re serious.”
On preparing for the future:
“Long gone are the days of one career for life. Learning, unlearning, and reskilling is the new normal.”

📦 Teen Biz Box Highlights

Contents: Product inventory, art supplies, business cards, signage, and educational materials
Website: TeenBizBox.com
Target Age: 8–18
Goal: Teach entrepreneurship, communication, and self-reliance

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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