A Youthful Attitude = Moneymaking?

How many times have you seen those lemonade stands as you're driving down a backroad on a hot, sunny day? Perhaps you even stopped out of admiration for the kid's entrepreneurial spirit and spent a buck or two just to make them feel richer (or you really were thirsty). Maybe you even had your own stand when you were a kid and made a few bucks and felt like King of the World from it. Or maybe you had other business ventures as a kid such as snow shoveling or mowing your neighbors' lawns. The Monetizer recalls having his parents buy candy in bulk from those wholesale warehouse places and then selling it to sweet-tooth kids on the school bus. I was making money, based on the resale and the fact I never bought the candy in the first place :) It's that sort of young, entrepreneurial mindset that can really take your places though. Some have even found income-producing and easy ways for kids to make money for themselves.

How about the kid who earned $20 an hour from a lemonade stand? Yes it's true, Tyler Dikman was able to do that, and now he runs a few multi-million dollar companies, including CoolTronics a company that helps deliver and setup computers. He bought a Rolex and Infiniti J30 using cash, and hired a maid to clean his room while he was just a teenager in high school. What makes him so impressive is that he went above and beyond the typical lemonade stand, using techniques such as dressing up the stand itself to make it even more attractive, offering other items for sale such as Cracker Jacks and a Gumball machine, and offering diet/low cal varities of lemonade for sale. He had the mindset to go with new ideas and expand upon something simple. You can see just how smart kids are some times.

Monetizer mentioned a few good books to read by younger business minds back from the Monetizer's Recommended Reading List. One is Cameron Johnson and the other is Farrah Gray. Two more examples of young moneymaking prodigies. Cameron was setting up his own stationary business and selling Beanie Babies in bulk out of his parents' home. Farrah was selling painted rocks as doorstops door to door in his neighborhood, then developed a business group for kids, followed by speaking engagements. These kids knew the art of business and networking and had a creative passion that drove them to succeed. These stories always interest the Monetizer and you can definitely take valuable lessons away from them. Most importantly is the notion that kids tend to have a more carefree, creative energy than most adults do. To expand on that, a child will put creative ideas into practice that maybe us adults are too serious and wound up to come up with or even try. It speaks a lot to the idea of "being a kid at heart".

This post was written based on seeing the Donny Deutsch "Big Idea" video over on John Chow's post. There's more than just a few of these type stories though and we can all take a page from these kids' books to set our own moneymaking ideas into full gear. Don't abandon your own creative ideas, even if they seem preposterous, because we're all really kids at heart. It's that creative energy and passion that can really provide the basis for some fun-filled and great moneymaking ventures.

Recommend Reading List

Here's 5 books I recommend to people looking for personal inspiration, or anyone who might be looking to make money, start their own business or start an entrepenuerial endeavor.   All 5 give very interesting perspectives from some top-notch entrepreneurs, and may give you insight into making money or starting a business.


5 Recommended Reads, in no particular order:

1) You Call the Shots by Cameron Johnson

This book comes from a guy who started 12 successful businesses before he was age 21. He started his own stationary printing company and was an Ebay Powerseller when he was age 12. Cameron was selling Beanie Babies to the point his parent's home was full of boxes of them to ship out. And that was just the start of Cameron's many successful businesses. Cameron's been featured on various media circuits and his book presents his 19 essential secrets of Entrepeneurship.

Check out You Call the Shots: Succeed Your Way-- And Live the Life You Want-- With the 19 Essential Secrets of Entrepreneurship.

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2) Reallionaire by Farrah Gray

Another child entrepenuer and prodigy, Farah was faced with a tough childhood but he didn't let that stop him.  Despite his living situation and his mother's health problems, Farrah began to develop business ideas and network as a youngster. He was selling painted rocks as doorstops door to door as one of his first ventures, then developed a local business club for like minded kids. His story is heartfelt and inspirational and presents great ideas on how to get your business ideas going.

Check out Reallionaire: Nine Steps to Becoming Rich from the Inside Out.

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3) Don't Worry, Make Money by Richard Carlson

This is from the autor/creator of "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" the very popular title. It's a book I've read several times for inspiration on saving money, making money and making your money make money. Definitely worth the purchase, it presents pages of simple tips on finances and your money. You could read just one tip a day and put them into practice to slowly build wealth. You'll find yourself returning to it often for its valuable ideas.

Check out Don't Worry, Make Money: Spiritual and Practical Ways to Create Abundance and More Fun in Your Life (Don't Sweat the Small Stuff Series).

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4) Do You - Russell Simmons

This book may not be for everyone, as it discusses the hip hop industry quite a bit from the mind of one of its biggest contributors, Russell Simmons. Simmons was CEO of Def Jam, started Phat Farm clothing and many other successful endeavors. He gives a set of rules/concepts he has for success. It's written from a very honest point of view and encourages networking among other things. His book also discusses Yoga and spirtiuality as ways to develop a healthier self and happier life while achieving your goals.

Check out Do You!: 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success.

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5) Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield

This one was a very popular title, and for those who have yet to read it, it's well worth your time. It's told as an action adventure tale, where a man tracks down nine Insights that prophesy the modern emergence of New Age spirituality. As each insight is discovered and explained, you can ponder them and realize how they apply to your own life. A very interesting read which helps contemplate the meaning of life, as well as happiness and success.  Check out The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield.


Check out any or all of the above books if you're looking for good, positive and inspirational reading experiences. They just might spark a creative idea in you and lead you down the path to success!