Check It Out: Business: Management and Finance
The worlds of business and finance are changing every day, which means there are lots of opportunities for creating your own path. Take inspiration from the business and finance professionals featured in these books, movies, and podcasts. How did they build their dream career? How might you do the same?
Books
The Startup Squad series, by Brian Weisfeld and Nicole C. Kear. In these novels, four friends—Risa, Amelia, Harriet, and Didi—are working to launch their business ideas. They develop business skills, such as management and sales, while putting friendship first. Recommended for ages 8 to 12.
Girls Who Run the World: 31 CEOs Who Mean Business, by Diana Kapp. Read about 31 women who’ve transformed the business scene with woman-led companies like Nextdoor and SoulCycle. Recommended for ages 12 and up.
How to Money: Your Ultimate Visual Guide to the Basics of Finance, by Jean Chatzky, Kathryn Tuggle, and the HerMoney Team. This full-color, illustrated guidebook breaks down money basics like investing, budgeting, and managing loans, to help you be fearless about personal finance. It’s written for everyone, but it’s especially helpful for those who are interested in a career in finance and want to get a head start. Recommended for ages 12 and up.
Movies
Own the Room (2021, TV-PG). This inspiring documentary follows five young people from different parts of the world as they compete in the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards. The winner will take home $100,000 to make their business a reality.
The Founder (2017, PG-13). This biographical drama is based on the life of American businessman Ray Kroc, the founder of the McDonald’s Corporation. Spoiler alert: Kroc’s success was about a lot more than just burgers.
Flamin’ Hot (2023, PG-13). Ever had a wild idea? This comedy-drama is based on the true story of the inventor of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, who may or may not have started as a janitor at Frito-Lay.
Podcast
How I Built This. This NPR podcast features inventors, entrepreneurs, and business masterminds. Host Guy Raz interviews founders about how they launched their big ideas: everything from million-dollar popcorn to Goodreads, the world’s largest social-media site for booklovers.
