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Thursday, January 30, 2014

My Kid Entrepreneur

Little Man needs a new nickname.  Because he isn't so little anymore.  He's a pre-teen.  A very busy, driven pre-teen who is already thinking about college and careers and how to build a business empire that can support his future family and his mom and dad when we get old.  Yeah.  He talks about that kind of stuff.  And it makes me cry sometimes to think that this amazing kid is mine.

The crying isn't just because I am so touched by his generous and thoughtful spirit. It's because this kid, in his 12 years of living, has figured out important life lessons that his parents are just now getting at age almost 50! He thinks about his future!  He will sit and map out his time and create his own schedule so that he can feel functional and organized and ready for what lies ahead.

The sad thing is? He didn't learn this from me or from his dad.  We tend to be less strategic in our approach to life.  I kind of struggle with structure in our home life.  Business and work is all business and work and I can get things done on that front.  But something happens when I try to apply those same skills to our home life.  And I hate that I have a hard time transferring my work skill set to my family life sometimes.

But back to my son. The one who came to me with this innate, already developed ability to line himself out and get a direction without a lot of help...


He's started a t-shirt business to raise money for two upcoming camps that he wants to attend at the end of the school year.  One of the camps is Scout Camp, the other is a 3 day adventure/environmental field trip that the 6th grade at his school does every year.  He needs to earn $150 for each camp.  In the past he has sold, lemonade, raked leaves and mowed lawns when he needs extra money, but he decided he wants to "branch out".  His words, not mine.  (I know, right?  Who is this kid?!?)  So he came up with two different designs (more are on the way) for t-shirts and we are using TeeSpring to sell them.  His customers do not have to pay for a shirt until his sales goal is met.  You simply place your order and once the target number is hit, the shirts will print and ship.  If the goal is not met, your card will not be charged.

Here are his current designs.  Just click on the photo and you will be taken to the TeeSpring order page, where you can place your order to help Eli meet his goal!



So there it is...his first public campaign!  He has done all of it himself, except for the marketing and PR, which he has hired me to do.  And since I am good at this part (and I am his mother), I took the job.

Thanks for helping a kid who has his priorities straight get a leg up on his goals!  Your support means a lot to him.  And to his mother, who is so grateful to have a wonderful son to emulate and learn from.  I am absolutely certain that I learn more from my children than they will ever learn from me.  

31 Comments:

Jacy said...

What a great post! Just tweeted a link :) I am a newbie boymom so I'll be sure to follow your sweet blog. Your son is awesome!!

I Am Boymom said...

Jacy - Thanks so much for helping spread the word to support my son! I am so grateful for people like you who see the value in helping him learn about business and the importance of setting and reaching goals. And congrats on becoming a Boymom! You will never lack adventure in your life again!

Anonymous said...

What a experience for your son (and you!). I will definitely give a shout out to him. I'm a boymom also, and I am glad to have found your blog ... I'm going to need advice as my little man grows into a mid-sized man. Stopping by from SITS Girls Comment Love Tribe.

Ebony said...

What an awesome son! I love his T shirt designs. Good luck on meeting his goals :) stopping by from SITS girls

Unknown said...

I was so happy to read this. Not to sound like an "old" person, but when I was a kid, we had to raise money for our stuff... now, most kids are just handed things. I am impressed that your son has shown such drive. Even though you think he didn't get it from you... he certainly must have learned something from y'all that led him in this direction (it's ok to take a bit of credit).

I am going to go check out the designs now.

Gina Jacobs Thomas said...

What a great go-getter and businessman you have on your hands! Where do you think he learned all of those great skills? The shirts look awesome!

Emma @ Our Whimsical Days said...

You must be doing something very right to be raising such a great kid. Some adults aren't this thoughtful and he's only 12 and has it down! :)

Heather said...

Wow you must be so proud of your boy. Since mine is still in nap pies it don't have the peeing issues... Yet. I get so cuffed when he puts things away though. Good luck to him with the T shirt business, it looks very promising.

Helen said...

That is awesome! He's doing amazing things and I'm sure there's so much more to come. Love the tshirts- great idea!

Earl-Leigh said...

He has a bright future ahead! I know that he'll meet his goal and then some.

Holly said...

I've been hearing a lot about child entrepreneurs. Totally impressed! At that age I wasn't even thinking of these things. #SITSblogging

Erin said...

Wow what a smart and clever little guy you have! I'm so impressed that he came up with those t-shirt designs all by himself! I've taught 7th and 8th grade and let me tell you, most 12-year old boys are NOT like that. Most of them would design shirts about poop or something. :P

Unknown said...

That is wonderful!! Love the designs and his creativity - AND being proactive to funding his goals in life. wow. I went to see the shirts, but I only see 'styles' to purchase...what sizes are there? Are there children's sizes?

I Am Boymom said...

Hey Emily- once you choose the style the site will take you to the order page where you can select your size. Unfortunately there are no children's sizes available on any of these styles, which is something I will bring to Teespring's attention. Not sure why they wouldn't offer those! Thanks!

Unknown said...

I've always thought entrepreneurs are born not made. You are born with an innate business savvy that your son has. Good for him!

Stopping by with comment love from the SITS girls!

Emily said...

Such awesome shirts! Great business idea for your son :)

EmmaT said...

Great idea - future entrepreneur in the making. And I'm liking the shirt website idea. Really good for fund raising and much easier than when we were kids trying to do printing items for our young enterprise work at school.

Hope he raises his target money and has a great time at camps.

LazyHippieMama said...

I am always so impressed by kids whole take the initiative to start following their dreams now, instead of waiting for some magic day in the future! I will share this and see if I can help drum up some business for him.

Mommy Mafia said...

You must be so proud! I hope he makes his goal!

Heather said...

What fun! And his designs are great! I knew at a very young age I wanted to own a business...good for him! I hope he does well!

Gina @ MoneywiseMoms said...

What an amazing young man! And I love his two designs, so creative.

Erica Layne | Let Why Lead said...

That's awesome, Gina! And thank you for your sweet comment on my blog today and for following along via bloglovin! I'm thrilled to have you, especially since I know we can relate to each other a lot, both being boymoms. :)

Anonymous said...

He is a genius ! The T- Shirts are good. I hope he achieves his goals. Good luck :)
Stopping by from SITS Girls

Gabby said...

Love it. They get too big too fast, don't they? Found you via SITS!!

Unknown said...

You should be so proud of your son! And contrary to your thinking, your son is a reflection of the so many lessons he has learned at home! The future is in good hands with young people such as him!

Unknown said...

Those shirts are so cute. good for him and good luck to him. #SITSBlogging

Anonymous said...

What a smart little guy your have! I'm sure the t-shirts are only the beginning:) Stopping by from your SITS Girls Tribe!

Napa Farmhouse 1885 said...

Those t-shirts are really, really good. I especially like the stick figure one. Good Luck with the campaign.
best,
diane
napa farmhouse 1885
Dropping by from SITS girls today.
#SITSBlogging

Unknown said...

Those shirts are actually AWESOME! Some people just have that entrepreneur spirit running through their veins. He's not even my kid and even I'm proud of him! Way to go! Stopping by from #SITSBlogging

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh! What a talented young guy! I'll share this around because I think I know some people who would love these!

Unknown said...

You must be so proud of your son, and you definitely should give yourself more credit! You are doing something right to raise such an ambitious, kind boy :)

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