http://www.kiro7.com/news/tren...n-business/526376186

Some kids still give me a glimmer of hope for the future. He tried to get work with a mowing business but he's too young. He decided to try starting out on his own with a used push mower.

It's too bad the newspaper delivery boy has become a thing of the past. That was an excellent introduction to work, responsibility, vicissitudes and satisfactions of real life.

My oldest son counted the days until he turned 12 so he could have a paper route. Once he was, he worked it with a vengeance, up early, folding, throwing, collecting, paying, etc. He paid for two scooters and his first car over the years until he got work in a real job. Of course, then he turned out to be a CPA, no telling what went wrong there.

His younger brother had a route as well when he was old enough. There is just no end to the good that those experiences did them.

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:
It's too bad the newspaper delivery boy has become a thing of the past. That was an excellent introduction to work, responsibility, vicissitudes and satisfactions of real life.

My oldest son counted the days until he turned 12 so he could have a paper route. Once he was, he worked it with a vengeance, up early, folding, throwing, collecting, paying, etc. He paid for two scooters and his first car over the years until he got work in a real job. Of course, then he turned out to be a CPA, no telling what went wrong there.

His younger brother had a route as well when he was old enough. There is just no end to the good that those experiences did them.

+1 My Mom got the route for me because I was too young and I did all the work. Probably 10 I guess.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JALLEN:


My oldest son counted the days until he turned 12 so he could have a paper route. Once he was, he worked it with a vengeance, up early, folding, throwing, collecting, paying, etc. He paid for two scooters and his first car over the years until he got work in a real job. Of course, then he turned out to be a CPA, no telling what went wrong there.

QUOTE]

I can relate to that "route"!

Had a paper route too.

In my infinite wisdom, I realized I could order extras Sunday papers and then, after making my deliveries, hang out at the local 7/11 and sell the extras for a hefty profit.

Having to insert the advertisements sucked though.

This is awesome!

It's exactly how my son started out. He started mowing lawns for money when he was 8!!! When he was that young, I went with him and was alongside him most of the time simply so he could gain experience and confidence while remaining safe. By the time he was 11, he wanted "one of those big commercial walk-behind mowers". The cheapest of those were $2500, which you don't want, because they lack some features. But we told our son that if he earned half the money, we would supply the other half. We figured that would be the end of it. But darned if he didn't earn half the money, so we went half and half with him on a $3300 mower.

He also paid for half of a trailer. Then, two years later, he bought a $4000 mower, a much larger trailer, a trimmer, blower, and various other things. He had about 18 customers at his peak.

Fast forward about 10 years - He sold off all his equipment, his route, and joined a commercial firm. He now has state certifications so he can apply pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. He is on a management track and has a great reputation. Next year, he will get his own F350 to drive back and forth to work, paid for by his company.

Although this was not my first choice of a career for him, his enthusiasm and dedication has been amazing, and gratifying to watch. He expects to graduate next year with an associates degree in Horticulture as well.

This young kid in the article reminds me of my son!

good for him.

at 8 I would cut a yard here and there on my city street and of course my own yard. by the time I was 12, had moved to larger county neighborhood, I had a full fledged business of cutting yards in the neighborhood. would ride the riding mower with push mower in tow. had a gas can on one foot well area, the other foot well had the 2 stroke mix can. then there was the line trimmer and blower, one on each foot well also. when I turned 15 I bought a truck with my yard money and started venturing out of the neighborhood throughout the county and city. had a few aunts yards and an uncles yard. my uncle would pay me for the whole summer, all at once with the first seasons cut. even landed a few commercial accounts. and would help out other guys my age in the areas that would need someone to cut yards while they went on vacation and such. those where great times. set my own hours and days. all my other buddies had night and weekend jobs. not me I had weekends off. my customers wanted their yards cut before the weekend.

I did this all through H.S., College and a few years after college. in the off season I would have local paycheck job. learned a lot about customer service, book keeping, responsibility, commitments, being an honest person, reliable, being on time, time management, keeping promises, take care of your equipment and it will take care of you and holding a customer base. I always had money in my pocket. paid cash for everything. miss those days.