My first entrepreneurial act as a child was in Primary School - Primary 2 or 3 . I remember watching on TV, the public drawing of lucky draw prizes on a Channel 8 Variety Show. I was awed by the huge prizes that they were giving away.

I wanted to do that too.

I loved to play pretend. So i rounded up some paper and wrote down some lucky 4 digit numbers and placed them in a small paper envelop which i made with a page of my jotter book. I folded the edges and stapled together.

Next, i started selling tickets. I think i sold them for 10 cents to my friends. My classmates loved the idea. Some girls wanted in too.

Next, i needed prizes. So with the money collected - a whopper $1.50 - i went to the bookshop and bought some rubbers, pencils and pens.

I told the contestants to meet me near the admin office (just near to the Principal’s office) at recess time.

I remembered that it was drizzling when we conducted the lucky draw. A total of 6 or 7 kids crowded around me. To escape the “authorities”, we stood near the edge of the office which was not sheltered from the rain. I was freezing my fingers off when i drew the numbers from my make shift lucky draw envelop. I was determined to get it done. I had to be responsible to these people.

“3rd prize… 3..4..5…4″

“2nd prize… 4..6..3…1″

“1st prize… 1..4..6…1″

At the end of it, everyone walked away with something (i think). I didn’t make money on this “business venture”. I had no concept of the word “profits”. To me this was something fun to do. I loved it and everyone who took part kinda enjoyed this little pretend game. Although at the end of it all, we were pretty drenched.

Note: This post is part of a series of recycled posts from my old Blog. They are primarily about my childhood and adolescence times. 11 Parts in all. Enjoy!