Lessons from Going into Business with My 12-Year-Old Son

D sending an invoice to an amazing sponsor

First up, I need to chill out. Seriously.

You know that “mom worry”? Well, turns out, it applies to business, too. When we rented the Brewer Rec for D-Max’s first BIG organized fundraiser—the kind with actual startup costs—I put a ton of pressure on myself. I obsessed over every detail, convinced that if I didn’t triple-check everything, something would go wrong. Meanwhile, D? Calm as could be. He had a budget and a plan, and he executed it. Then I did what so many parents do—I questioned if it was enough.

Spoiler: It was. In fact, it was perfect.

Lesson #1: Trust the Process (and Your Kid)

D has this way of focusing on what’s right in front of him, doing the work, and then letting it go. Once we wrap up a task, he’s checked out. No overthinking. No unnecessary stress. Meanwhile, I’m up at night mentally running through every scenario. He’s taught me that sometimes, you just need to do the work and move on.

Lesson #2: Make Time for Fun

Running a business together isn’t just about spreadsheets and sponsorship calls. It’s also about connection. So, we make it a point to go out for ice cream and use that time to talk about the deeper work—planning events, thinking long-term, and making an impact. It keeps things from feeling like just work.

Lesson #3: Delegate and Develop

Now that he’s 12, D is taking more and more off my plate. When a sponsorship is confirmed, he’s the one sending the invoice and writing the thank-you email. He’s stepping up in real ways, learning skills most adults take years to master. But even he has limits—he hates data entry. Welcome to the club, kid. But guess what? Sometimes you just have to grind through it. Running a business means developing every part of it, even the boring stuff.

Watching D grow into this role has been incredible. He’s showing the world what young leadership looks like, and in the process, he’s teaching me just as much as I’m teaching him.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think it’s time for an ice cream break. 🍦

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