You are 10 or 12 years old and after having another discussion with your parents asking (actually begging) them to give you money for candy, baseball cards or some other unimportant purchase, you finally have a brilliant idea and say, “I don’t need your money – I will make my own.” Low and behold, you did it.
- My question is, “What did you do?”
- What was your first entrepreneurial experience as a kid?
- How much money did you make?
- What did you use the money for?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Michael Halberstam says:
I was 12. I started shoveling snow, mowing lawns and became the neighborhood paperboy. Much to the chagrin of my Dad who wanted me to save the money, I spent it all on comic books and baseball cards.
Patricia says:
When I was twelve, I worked as a maid for my brother and his wife. I cleaned their house once a week after school and used the money to buy presents for family and friends for birthdays and Christmas.
stephenie gordon says:
How funny! The Schlesinger “Green Reader” Book Club is reading Tony Hsieh’s book, “Delivering Happiness” and this is the exact question we are discussing! Unlike Tony, i wasn’t smart enough to charge for my endeavors, I gave away all of my services for free (Neighborhood Newspaper, Theatre productions, pet sitting). What does that say about me?!?!?
Ed Sugar says:
My father was a stickler for work and earning money. Nothing was given out for free in our house, it had to be earned and we were far from being poor. I had my first lemonade stand when I was 4 and I by the time I was 6 I was mowing lawns and washing cars to earn money to buy candy, baseball cards, 45′s, candy, $1 pet turtles, toys and candy.
My first real paycheck came in Junior High School as my father had me seek out work on campus. My first paying job was as a change maker during recess/nutrition. Kids would line up and I would make coin change for their 1 and 5 dollar bills.
I remember at the end of the month getting my first paper paycheck and not having a clue what to do with it. I brought it to my father’s attention and he said he would cash it for, but first he had something he had to show me. He reached into his desk at home, pulled out a manila folder and handed me a photo copy of the hospital bill for my birth and delivery. He then said with a big smile “You can start by beginning to pay this off”. Bless him, he had been waiting 12 years to spring this joke on me.
Christine Cook says:
I can’t remember that far back. This said; I can remember my kids first.
It was my twins and my step son who was nine months younger than them. It was the three of them, their step mom (AKA StepMomster – this is her pet name – she is awesome and we are besties – I’m the Mominator) and me.
So Bridge made the cutest little book for a contest for school. The winners got to take their book to give to homeless children. Her book was called “The Little Tortuga.” This is Spanish for turtle. She made the book out of felt and did this project all by herself as I was out of town. She stuffed the top of the shell with batting and filled the littler turtle head with sugar free candies. I will never forget this. I returned from research conference and came home and she sat on my lap to show me about her book and read to me. She proceeded to tell me how you read the book and while doing so the child could have a “bed night” snack of sugar-free candy because you don’t want tooth decay and then once they are done reading they can use the book as a pillow.
OMG! I literally started bawling. I wanted to quit my job and stay home with my kids. This said; I am who I am so instead threekids.moms was born. We did a biz plan; we had them get venture money from a colleague, a Caboose for the back yard for corporate HQ, etc. We would sell the books with all proceeds going to homeless children, except for expenses to make the next batch of books. Amazing!
Treasure every French fry in your back seat. It will likely be your child, then your grandchild, then your parents! Life is short, live large!
Jamie Sykora says:
I was raised by my grandparents and we had a small farm. My grandpa was the kind of man that you break your back for the bread you eat – nothing is for free, and you NEVER buy anything on credit.
In the spring we always kept a 5 acre garden of corn, green beans and variety of other vegetables. I would work helping my grandpa plow the field, then harvesting the crop. If I never have to shuck corn again – I’ll be just fine
With the money I would make, I bought a Shetland pony named Nugget one summer. When I outgrew Nugget – I sold her for a profit and bought an above ground 5′ deep swimming pool for my brother and I.
I look back on those days and how thankful I am to have had my grandparents and their influence in my life. It’s help keep me out of debt – if I can’t afford to pay cash, I don’t need it. That spirit keeps me motivated and simple at the same time. I strive to instill the old ways and “country life” in the hearts of my own children.
Those days are quickly passing us by seeing kids actually playing outside and wanting to get down in the dirt and help build a home. For now – those good old days are still right in my backyard with 22 acres to give my kids plenty of opportunity to be creative, innovative and work for the little extra’s they like to have. They may get put out with me now, but one day they will say thanks mom & thanks grandma & grandpa for those little big life lessons!!!
Phil Harriau says:
Shoveling snow. Me and a buddy would shovel a medium sized driveway for 50 cents. Seemed like a lot! The trick was to stake out homes with older people before anyone else in the neighborhood got there.