Perhaps you’ve seen the viral video about Caine’s Arcade made out of cardboard boxes, tape, and smiles. The young Mr. Monroy is being interviewed and reported on by the major media. Behind his wonderful passion, there are at least nine hidden lessons for all entrepreneurs and makers.
1. He asked permission
This may seem crazy to say given our zeal with the idea to “Seek forgiveness rather than permission” but let me explain. Caine could have toiled away in some corner of his Dad’s auto parts store. He could have sat with a gaming device or read a book all summer. He could have done something unremarkable and just sat quietly doing the norm. But instead, he asked permission to use some unused space and recyclable materials. Sure, he’s nine years old and we might argue that kids should ask permission.
Permission can set you free. You don’t have to get permission, but it creates engagement, collaboration and can inspire others because it invites them into the effort.
2. He sought to serve others
As you watch the video and hear the interview conversations, it was all about what games people would enjoy most (or at least that he hoped people would enjoy). His passion is infectious, as my colleague, Caleb Melby points out (link below). I believe it’s infectious because Caine’s passion is focused on what others will experience. I imagine that Steve Jobs zeal was equally focused on the customer experience with the iPhone, iPod and iPad products. The customer experience is what completely drives Jeff Bezos of Amazon. Mr. Bezos reportedly has an empty seat for the customer reserved at meetings.
3. He had a benefactor
With indie filmmaker, Nirvan Mullick, a chain of wonderful events is set in motion. Nirvan highlights and explores how a young entrepreneur’s mind, and more so his heart, is compelled to create something fun, hip, and cool – for himself and others. Without Mr. Mullick, you have to wonder if Caine’s efforts would have captivated as many, but that’s thankfully irrelevant at this point. Many entrepreneurs toil in isolation for a lot longer. I’m glad that the two met and certainly believe it was meant to be.
4. The visual is clutch
Even without Mr. Mullick, Caine certainly understood the importance of making something visually appealing and having a story. Each game or creation seems to have its own story. It has a reason for being part of the cardboard arcade. Not every product or service lends itself to such visuals, but Caine built a story into the physical games and he had reasons for each part.
5. More than Xbox
Caine welcomed and captured the community’s heart and in the process gives people hope. That may seem a grand statement, but think about it: We are a nation of makers, do-it-yourself, bootstrapping entrepreneurs. Not all of us, for sure, but we root for that, cheer for that. It is the Rocky Balboa story. We love the underdog. I believe, most of all, that there is excitement when adults see children and young people striving to do something other than electronic games. We see plenty of kids heads-down playing Xbox, Wii, Nintendo DS, and a host of other games. It is refreshing to see something outside that boundary. (Gamers: that’s not a diss on gaming. I also see value and worth in the skills that some games teach.) The hidden lesson here is to go outside what everyone else is doing (at his age, lots of kids are only playing electronic games).
6. Familiar with yes
Caine appears to have heard the answer, yes, often in his life. His father is willing to take risks and he shares that “sure, try it” spirit with his son. Some people and children learn to take risks because someone says no, for sure, but I believe far more enjoy approval, encouragement, and a yes answer. Not everyone has to face adversity at an early age to achieve success, although that is often the story that gets told. Caine faced some tests of perseverance, but he did it with support and encouragement. Share a yes today with yourself, with others, and especially with children.
7. He made use of remnants
There is a certain allure in American entrepreneur circles for turning waste in wonder, of finding a diamond in the rough, so to speak. Caine took boxes destined for the recycling pile and made them into something new and creative. There are amazing companies making a profit by intervening in the waste stream at some point. He also made use of unused remnant space and turned it into something useful. I hear of micro-makerspaces popping up in interesting new locations that mirror Caine’s arcade space – small and unused.
8. Preparation meets work
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” –Seneca
From what I can see, Caine kept asking for the sale; asking people if they wanted to play a game in the arcade. In some ways, the point above about a benefactor only applies because Caine was out there each and every day of the summer hawking his arcade. His chance to meet Nirvan Mullick came because he was waiting and looking for a customer. Every, single day his eyes, ears, and heart were tuned for that first customer.
9. Tears of joy
Caine made it easy to laugh, and maybe even cry tears of joy. In the Twitter and Facebook streams, where I read dozens and dozens of comments, people talked about how the video made them smile, laugh, and shed joyful tears. People love it when kids have such enthusiasm and energy. The hidden lesson is that Caine maintained an air of thankfulness and gratitude through his long summer and that rubbed off on others.
Caine Monroy found free space to set up his first venture. But I think he would have found a space somewhere, even if his Dad’s business was not available. And his innovation and enthusiasm found a space in our hearts and minds. He took the empty storefronts of this tough economy and filled them with hope. Thanks Caine.
Two other stellar Forbes posts on Caine’s journey
9 Reasons Why The 9-Year-Old Founder Of Caine’s Arcade Will Be a Billionaire In 30 Years
Caine's Arcade Video: The Infectious Virality of the Child Inventor and Entrepreneur
Image Credit: CainesArcade.com
