Business Woman of the Year!

And the award goes to Marley Bradner!

My seven year old announces to me the other morning that she is a business woman now. I was busy putting away some newly folded laundry when she made this announcement and at first I didn't give it a lot of attention.

"Oh yeah, " I said, what makes you a business woman?"
She then goes into this long detailed explanation about how a friend at school forgot her snack and she asked Marley if she would share. (After all, Marley's mom packs the best snacks in second grade. She was awarded Coolest Mom of the Year, three years in a row.) The day before I had packed Marley S'mores in a bag which consist of Teddy Grahams, chocolate chips and mini marshmallows mixed together in a ziplock. Clever! I know!

Seems Marley's hungry friend was so desperate for a taste that she offered her some money. My kid is not dumb. She took the deal. She started making little tiny s'mores by taking 2 teddy grahams, a marshmallow and a chocolate chip, stacking them together sandwich style and selling them to this kid. She started out asking for a penny each. Other kids quickly got in on the action. Now we all know that basic economics is supply and demand. The supply was limited and the demand was high so the price went up. Some how, Marley made $2 the first day. Yes! I said $2!!!! She turned about 30 cents worth of snacks into $2! Now she had my full attention.

In the next few minutes I interrogated my child:
"Where did the kids get the money?"
"Are you allowed to share your food?"
"Does the teacher know you are doing this?"
"You didn't take any one's lunch money, did you?"
"Did you get to eat any of the food?"
"Can you get into trouble for this?"

Marley confessed:
She did not take any one's lunch money. Kids had extra money for the book fair. They are not allowed to share food, but she sneaked it when the teacher wasn't looking. She did eat some of the s'mores herself, but she really isn't hungry at snack time. The kids wait until they are in the coat closet to pay her, so the teach can't see.

This was a well thought out plan. I have to admit, I was highly impressed.

So, on the morning of this announcement, she was also asking if I was willing to pack her a few extra snack bags in the event she had some hungry friends again. I couldn't help myself. I started an assembly line. We filled her pencil box with several snack bags and I sent my little business woman off to work. She had strict instructions to not take any one's luch money. She proudly came home and announced she made $3 that day.

You should have seen the smile fade when I asked her for my share. After all, if we were going to continue this business, we would need more supplies. A box of Teddy Grahams is at least $2. She seemed to understand what I was talking about. She agreed to keep the money in her wallet and she will go with me to the store and buy some more supplies. That's fine I said, but I don't work for free either. If I am going to be making the snack bags, I need to be paid. She thinks she's just going to make them herself. After all, they are easy to make. I suppose it is okay with me. I don't have a pattent on the things.

I just couldn't help but be proud of her. She is on top of her game. Marley is going places in life and I see now that she is well on her way to making that first million!

While she is off counting her newly earned pennies, I have been practicing the speech I will be giving to her principal in the event that this venture lands her in the office. It goes something like this; "Sir, her father and I had no idea she was doing this. I do understand why this behavior can not be tolerated in school. I'm thinking she deservess some extra credit here. This is pretty darn ingenious?"

What do you think? I am open to suggestions.