I created my first business when I was eight years old and fancied the thought of being my own boss. My first step was to figure out what to do to make my millions, since I already knew how to spend it: Operation Penny Candy.
Just down the road from my house was “Second Bridge Auto,” a small old-fashioned neighborhood store and small car lot. My brain didn’t care much about the cars, but the candy counter was magical!
The counter contained bins of penny candy that my friend and I would reach our hands into like digging into chests of treasure. The lady at the counter would always give us a few bonus choices for our quarter-mile walk, and we would leave happy every time with handfuls of Slo-Pokes, and Mary Janes.
My young brain worked overtime to come up with ideas to make money, and I thought my first one was pure genius. I’d sell my mom’s books!
My mom was a reader and when she finished reading a book, they would go in the attic. Since the books were already read, she would no longer need them. Right?
One day, when Mom was occupied, I pulled the string to the attic stairs and went hunting for books. Jackpot! After a few up and down trips, I had my Lil’ Red Wagon filled up with a library’s worth of great reading.
I was off to meet the neighborhood ladies.
For that afternoon, the books were flying out of my wagon at a dime each or three for twenty-five cents. What a deal! Before long, the wagon was empty and I headed home to count my profits.
When I saw my mom waiting outside for me, I knew how pleased she would be, making space in the attic and raking in profits. Oh, the candy I would buy – some even for her!
As you may have guessed, my mom wasn’t as impressed with my entrepreneurial spirit as I was, and it took me another afternoon to buy the books back. Although my first attempt at building a successful business failed, it didn’t discourage me from my next great idea – selling Dad’s extra tools!
