Our Little Business Man (Original Post: Mar 5, 2008)

This should not come as a shock to those of you who know Adam well...he started his first business this past month and has met with blaring success. His success is such that I may be having a little envy at how easily he has found his niche!

Adam approached us last November saying, "Mom and Dad, it is time that I start my first business. Can I get a loan to get it going?" We laughed and thought it was super cute, but really only took him half seriously. By December, he asked for a real business appointment to discuss his ideas and so we met together. We talked about what kinds of businesses would be right for him and what his interests were. He is such a little adult in how he handled the meeting (for those who knew me well as a child, does this sound at all familiar?). Always negotiating (a born attorney/salesman), we finally decided that a vending machine here at our home would give him the business he desired with the best profit margin and the most minor input on the parental side. We began looking online to find vendors and found someone willing to sell us a single machine with 8 candy receptacles.

We made the appointment to look at the machine for a couple of weeks out. In the meantime, Adam made another appointment with us to discuss the terms of a possible loan to buy the machine, other set-up costs and repayment terms. Like a shrewd businessman, he negotiated to pay us back at $5 per month until he broke even and then he would accelerate the payments. Yes, that is in excess of 8 years to get our investment back...but since he's our kid, who's counting, right??? We agreed on a line of credit and waited to see the machine.

The night came to look at the machine and true to form, Adam was inquisitive, responsible and focused. He asked insightful questions as the man selling us the machine helped him learn to put it together and service it. Because he was so impressed with Adam's business acumen, he threw in a bunch of starter candy to get him going immediately. Adam's little face was bright and shining as we left with the machine. He had made his first large purchase from his first line of credit to start his first business. I thought his first steps and first day of school were exciting -- little did I know what lay ahead only a few years in the future from those times!!!

In keeping with his business-man persona, Adam has really surprised us with the enthusiasm and delight he has found marketing and bringing in clients for his new venture! We had little business cards made and it was his idea to offer a free turn on the machine for each new client. Interestingly enough, after 2.5 weeks in operation, we pulled a sizable $72.75 from that little machine. I think our son is on to something! I also think that the money we have been stashing for college and a mission fund is no longer necessary...our son has become self-sufficient at the ripe age of SIX!!!

The funniest day recently was when we heard Adam telling his friends at the machine to put away their quarters since it was "Customer Appreciation Day" and the candy would be on him. I died laughing so hard because we didn't even know that he knew about such a thing. What on earth have we unleashed upon the world? Today it's a vending machine, tomorrow the universe!!!