Starting a business is difficult, and many people who aren’t entrepreneurs don’t understand that. The Tuttle Twins wanted to create a family theater where they put on plays, but they didn’t realize how hard it would be.

Their grandmother, who had experience as an entrepreneur, made them answer five questions: 1. Who are you? This is to make sure you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur. 2. What do you know? This is your skills and talents. 3. Who do you know? This is your network – people you know who have knowledge that might help you. 4. What are your resources? This is how much money you have and any capital others may want to invest. 5. What can you contribute? If the Tuttle Twins want their business to succeed, it has to be different, better, or cheaper. It has to provide value.

Ethan and Emily planned to do their theater in their grandmother’s old dance studio. They needed to clean it up, buy new equipment, get a license, and hire actors. To save money, they got used chairs and Ethan wrote the play, so they wouldn’t have to buy the rights to a play. They cut costs from $23,000 down to $14,000. “I’m very impressed with your creative problem-solving,” their grandmother told them encouragingly.

Fortunately, the play went swell. After the performance, however, another theater opened on the other side of town. The twins were sad, but their parents reassured them that competition was good because it pushes you to make your company better. Ethan and Emily loved being their own bosses and making money, even though being an entrepreneur is risky and challenging.

March 30, 2020
By Zeke

When someone starts a business, it isn’t easy. You have to think of creative ways to improve other people’s lives. In the book, “The Tuttle Twins and Their Spectacular Show Business,” Ethan and Emily attempted to become entrepreneurs by starting a family theater, which they wished to provide entertainment for their community.

The Tuttle Twins had to deal with obstacles they hadn’t anticipated, such as location, taxes, and expenses like seats and lights. This was hard for them. But Ethan and Emily saved on costs by getting family and friends to help them out, and buying second-hand materials. For example, the twins’ grandmother let them use her old ballet studio as the theater and Uncle Ben used a projector to make backgrounds, so they didn’t have to build sets.

Surprisingly, the Tuttle Family Theater already had competition after the first show. At first, the twins thought this was a bad thing. However, their parents and grandmother explained to them that competition was healthy. “It pushes you to keep getting better and finding ways to lower your costs,” stated Nana, who gave them money as capital to launch the business.

When the kids started, they didn’t understand how much back-breaking work they would have to do. Although it was difficult, they soon realized that if you put a lot of thought into a business, you can earn a lot of profit. Their theater succeeded because it was different, better, and cheaper than the other theater in town, giving value for customers.

March 19, 2020
By Zeke

Who is this man and why is he exalted by Christians? Constantine the Great became emperor of the Roman Empire around A.D. 300. Before a bloody battle in Rome, Constantine had a vision of a cross, so he faithfully ordered the legion of soldiers to paint crosses on their shields. Constantine’s army won in a gallant triumph, even though the enemy’s army was twice their size.

To celebrate, a towering and colossal monument, called the Arch of Constantine, was fashioned at the battlefield. Amazingly, it still stands today. After his victory, Constantine signed the Edict of Milan, which stated that Christians would be free to practice their religion unharmed. Although he was not baptized till on his deathbed, Constantine is still praised for being the first Christian Emperor.