Rebecca D. Williams/Special to the News Sentinel Carson McGhee of Oak Ridge shows his golf ball inventory. He finds the balls in the woods surrounding a nearby course, cleans and resells them.
Carson McGhee of Oak Ridge is ready for a lucrative summer. At 11, he runs a golf ball resale business, an opportunity he said his father, Terry McGhee, suggested after one too many of his golf balls landed in the woods at the course near their house.
"So I go out and find them, I clean them, package them and sell them," said Carson. "I sort them by brand, and I have every single type of brand."
Carson cleans up the balls with a home-brewed mixture of dish and laundry soaps and scrubs them in a bucket. "It's an elaborate process, and he does it himself," said Carson's mother, Farah McGhee.
He currently has an inventory of several hundred balls and keeps them organized in gross-sized egg cartons discarded from his father's catering business. He sold about 100 to a school golf team recently. He also sells by word of mouth and the occasional tag sale at the self-storage business his father also owns. Sometimes the contents of a unit have to be emptied, and Carson puts his golf balls in the sale.
Kid Entrepenuer
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Although he's more of a soccer player himself, Carson said he knows enough about golf to know which balls will fetch a premium. The brand Titleist Pro V1, for example, sells for more than $3 each new, so Carson charges $1.
So far, Carson said his golf ball sales have totaled about $200, enough to invest in a mutual fund. "I don't think I should say how much I made, but it was a good profit," Carson said.
But that's not the only business Carson runs. Two summers ago he and neighborhood friend, Parker Palmer, 11, started a lemonade stand on a sunny stretch of road leading to the neighborhood pool. They made about $120, but since then competition has popped up from other kids selling, including the boys' younger siblings.
"I think they've worn out the lemonade," said Parker's mother, Beth Palmer.
So now the boys run "Carson and Parker's Lawn Services," offering general lawn care and weed-pulling services. They even made matching t-shirts and hats, white with green hand lettering that says, "If you need a job done right."
"Well I thought we'd make more money if we had more advertising," said Carson, except that the boys' parents only let them work for friends and neighbors, and Carson's grandmother.
"We charge $8 an hour. Except my grandma paid extra," he said. "I offered to do it for free but she wouldn't let me."
The boys say they're equal partners, and no one's the boss.
"We just split the decisions," said Parker. "And we usually split the money and the price of the gas."
Both boys said they saved most of their money, but Carson also bought a mower from his father for $50. "Now it's mine and I can do whatever I want with it. Someday I'd like to have a truck for the business."
The boys do, however, offer a bit of advice to other young entrepreneurs: "I would probably say it's always good to have friend if you're going to start a business," said Parker.
"Save your money," said Carson, "because in the future you'll need it."
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Comments » 37
Sand_Pebble writes:
Awesome Jobs Guys, keep it up. But a little advice, understate your earnings to prevent other kids from wanting to move in. And don’t tell your competitors what you are charging.
alobar writes:
the taxman cometh!
mightycujo writes:
They're in trouble now. KNS should have never drawn attention to this.
I forget what state this was , but not long ago a couple pf little girls had a lemonade stand and the police came by and shut them dow, the city and stategave them grief about breaking the law since no one knew what the ingredients were in it and they hadn't applied for the proper licenses.
Hope this doesn't happen to these kids.
Good luck to them.
cobragolfer writes:
Great job boys!! Keep up the good work. Be careful though... Schedule C is coming!!
Sequoyah writes:
Why is it two little boys are out hustling and making money for their future and so many "disabled" adults can barely be counted on to take care of their own body functions.
Good on you boys, it folks like you that made/makes this country the shining city on the hill.
bibliosaurus writes:
My grandparents owned a day care center- one of the first "State Inspected and Approved" ones in Knoxville.
When I was 12 years old, my Grandfather put me on the payroll for the summer. I started at 50 cents an hour, and FIT and FICA were with-held from my weekly paychecks. That first summer job was probably one of the wisest and kindest things anyone ever did for me as a child.
I wiped toddlers' butts and noses all day long. I helped feed them. I stopped them from shoving marbles up their noses. I developed independent notions about higher education and the inadvisability of having children at a young age. I was old enough to understand about birth control, and I made some firm resolutions there, too.
My first summer working there was probably one of the seriously defining episodes in my life. I learned about budgeting my paycheck, making bank deposits, pulling my share of the workload, and getting along with co-workers. I learned what it felt like to be too tired at the end of the day to get into any mischief. I learned what adults do on weekends- laundry and "catch up if you can".
I heartily applaud these two young men. They have obviously been taught well and wisely at home, and it shows. I wish them every success.
America depends on kids like this, and this story gives me hope for the future.
bibliosaurus writes:
Yep. Those boys aren't whining about how "Somebody took my job...".
They're out there, haulin' it, getting it done, and setting prices which keep their customer base happy.
"Self Starters" like these two boys are the ones who built America!
doglips_mcghee (Inactive) writes:
it amazes me how many idiots can make political commentary out of such a benign issue... fascinating
knoxconservative61 writes:
So since it appears that his parents are successful, then he shouldn't be allowed to try to make money on his own. That doesn't make sense. The fact that his family appears to have money makes this story even better ~ his parents are teaching him that you have to WORK to make it! CONGRATS to these young men....the AMERICAN SPIRIT is alive and well!!!
Rebisco writes:
The article stated that Terry McGhee is a caterer and owns a storage business. So I think you could say he is an entrepreneur, his own boss. It looks like the acorn does not fall far from the tree. Way to go boys! You are doing good!
GT-FORD writes:
You're are joke.
activehollow writes:
If those little dudes live near centennial golf course..they've got some of my cash. good work guys!
GT-FORD writes:
Oh thanks for your help. You're still a joke tho
GT-FORD writes:
Dude this is a story about two kids! Get real.......
bibliosaurus writes:
I'm not "rich" by any means, but I have a classic Jaguar parked in my driveway. I saved money $20 at a time, and paid cash for it. I bought it from a dying Lutheran minister who interviewed me for the sale as if I were adopting one of his children. I am so much richer for that experience of purchase/ownership of that old car. And that old Jag is like me- a crazy bat on wheels.
My older son is not "rich" by any means. He is a heavy-equipment operator. But, he plays a mean game of golf. He's a "lefty" and he bought his clubs at a pawn shop, and he plays on public courses, with other machine operators. And, they talk about books, too, while playing golf.
Some people have worked for every paltry (but shiny) thing they own. Sometimes, that "shine" is a good thing for the family in general.
Please don't be so free with your broad brush of "wealth". Some of us enjoy "the good life" on a shoestring. It is none the less joyful because we're on a budget, and yet we still manage to splurge a bit.
Forgive us poor folk for enjoying an "over the top" moment, every now and then.
And forgive us for teaching our kids, "You work every day. First, you pay the bills. Then you save. And then you have fun."
etu_vol_fan writes:
I work customer service and you would be amazed at how many "disabled" people are out there that try to skirt around from paying their bills. These little guys are to be applauded for busting it and making their own money. I mowed a few lawns and weed eat for neighbors when I was a kid. Good for them!
dgmyrek#602004 writes:
That's how I started: mowing lawns and cutting wood in the summer, shoveling snow in the winter, and riding my bike to the golf course (about 5 miles) to spend evenings walking the woods parallel to the fairways. That led to my first "real" job as a caretaker for a small church which one of my lawn/wood cutting customers went to. I've almost always kept two jobs, even now as a professional and a part time professor. Keep up the good work, guys it will serve you well!
doglips_mcghee (Inactive) writes:
you can injure your elbow patting yourself on the back too hard, so be careful.
activehollow writes:
Would it be better to have little kids in bad areas buying food stamps for 30cent on the dollar and selling for 50cents...all the same in the economy of scale!
TN_Engineer writes:
Good to see kids outside vs. on a video game system!
makelemonade writes:
Hey, I have no problem with it. An entrepreneur's an entrepreneur. If they can make a little extra money flippin' food stamps or any other commodity, good for them. There's lots of honest ways to make a buck.
EllieMae writes:
Axe, I think your comment sailed right over FredandFrancis' heads. They're too busy floundering in the bunker.
skininthegame writes:
Excellent post!
Tea_Time writes:
Axe, you sound as if you feel entitled to something just because they're rich...
Perhaps the kid gives you a dozen on the house...would that make you feel better?
...or, do you still want to Occupy Oak Ridge?!?
bretticus25#294810 writes:
You are are joke.
Sounds like a jealous Oak Ridger who should be served broccori as punishment.
GT-FORD writes:
And what comment sailed over he's head? You mean "selling meth"?? What's the deal with you and Axe, it seem y'all are mad they are out making money
GT-FORD writes:
broccori?? if your talking about broccoli, i love it... Your BIG nose is punishment enough... So i guess we are cool
buzzwordbob writes:
There ain't no foodstamps no more!!
EllieMae writes:
Ford, take a breath and read Fred's 1:45 comment where he said "Hope they are not harassed by those who think "justice" demands that they share their hard earned income with the "less fortunate". "
As Axe pointed out (that went over your friggin' heads!) Oak Ridge was built and survives on tax payers money!
Without that "shared" money, there would be no Oak Ridge. Good grief. You guys would rather just pounce than think.
Tea_Time writes:
That's what we do EM, we pounce, no one has immunity here...
We badgered Axe into saying how great he thought those boys are and he even brought up his own boyhood memories...
GT-FORD writes:
So i guess what you and Axe, are saying they wouldn't be living good if they didn't live in Oak Ridge??
GT-FORD writes:
So tell how these kids "understanding of local economics"? Do you think they know that?
GT-FORD writes:
So if you agree with Axe they are really as he said "selling meth" And using mowing yards, and selling golf balls as a cover. Take a breath? If i was these kid's parents i would take more than a breath... I guess that comment of his, was what you called going over your friggin' heads.
FredFlintstone writes:
A buddy of mine was knocking down $38-40k a year scuba diving in the water hazards on golf courses and reselling balls. Then he got into a nest of water moccasins. The coroner counted more than 150 bite wounds on his body.
GT-FORD writes:
" Plus he lives in Oak Ridge, how do people the people with money make their money in Oak Ridge? If they aren't selling meth they are either getting a government contract check or selling stuff to people"
This sounds like you know something... i would say the government is not working under age kids. i could be wrong tho.
GT-FORD writes:
So in other words Axe, if you live in Oak Ridge your either selling meth are either getting a government contract check or selling stuff to people. Not only did you cut these kids, but everyone that lives in OR..
truthseeker1 writes:
'Please don't be so free with your broad brush of wealth'??? Are you KIDDING me? I have never seen anything so hypocritical in my life!! Go back and re-read the DELUGE of judgmental phooey you and everyone else has heaped on the Harper family when YOU have NO idea what their financial standing is, yet they are hated and vilified for being 'wealthy'. And even if they are, SO WHAT? They worked for what they have, no doubt, the same way you and your son did! Is that only ok for you and not someone you judge to have gotten where they are in life? This is disgusting!
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