Entrepreneurs and "entrepreneurial thinkers" have the power to transform lives, communities, and the world. Yet, many people with great ideas never take the next step to bring them to fruition. In this talk, Chris Egelston shares critical steps that individuals and communities can follow to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs, drawing from his own journey as a teenage entrepreneur. Chris Egelston became interested in magic at the age of six. In 1982, at the age of 15, he booked his first paid, professional show. Starting purely an entertainer at various events he moved to becoming a magician with a message for young audiences on topics such as reading and good character. He also became a corporate entertainer and eventually a keynote speaker on topics such as goal-getting, customer experience and sales. His performances and speaking gigs paid his way through college, earning his Bachelor's Degree in Marketing and MBA from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. A southern Illinois native, Chris has spent most of his life in Carterville, Illinois where he still resides with his wife Robin. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx