There’s something magical about seeing an idea come to life—especially when you get to share that journey with your kids. That’s exactly what happened when I wrote The Kids Who Bought a Lemonade Stand. What started as a passion project with my children became a book that I truly believe can change the way we talk to kids about entrepreneurship and the message is clear: You Don’t Have to Start a Business to Own One.
My Story
For over a decade, I built and scaled BuyAndSellABusiness.com, pioneering the conversation around buying and selling micro businesses—the businesses that make up our local communities and economies. Long before ETA (Entrepreneurship through Acquisition) became a mainstream conversation, I was advocating for it, helping buyers and sellers connect to transition and grow businesses. I’ve watched the market catch up with this vision, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see small business acquisitions gain the attention they deserve.
This book was one of the last projects I did with my kids, serving as a reflection piece before my platform was acquired in October 2024. It was my way of taking everything I had learned and distilling it into a message for the next generation: buying a business is just as powerful and entrepreneurial as starting one.
We often tell kids they can be anything they want to be. We encourage them to dream big, work hard, and pursue their passions. But when it comes to entrepreneurship, the conversation almost always centers on starting a business. What if we also taught kids that they could buy one instead? I know—it’s a big concept. But by introducing these ideas early, we can help them explore different paths that align with their passions and strengths as they grow.
There are countless books for adults about buying and growing businesses—some written by seasoned M&A experts, others by people looking to capitalize on a trend. But there was nothing for kids. That’s why I wrote this book—not just for my own children, but for your kids, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. This is where the idea of Entrepreneurship through Acquisition (ETA) needs to take root. The future of small business depends on it.
So, what’s the story behind ‘The Kids Who Bought a Lemonade Stand’?
Tim and Lily are two kids who love dreaming big and helping others. When they stumble upon a lemonade stand for sale, they decide to buy it instead of starting from scratch. With creativity, hard work, and support from their community, they turn it into something special.
It’s a simple but powerful message: You don’t always have to build something new to be an entrepreneur. You can take something that already exists and make it even better.
As mentioned above, this message matters. The truth is, we are raising the next generation of entrepreneurs right now. As we guide them, we need to expand their understanding of what business ownership looks like. Not everyone is a builder. Not everyone is a creator. And that’s okay. Buying, operating and growing an existing business is just as entrepreneurial as launching a startup.
Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. Many of them will need new owners in the coming years as current owners retire. If we don’t start talking about business acquisition as an option, we’re missing a huge opportunity to keep these businesses thriving.
What I want my kids to understand
I want my kids to understand that owning a business doesn’t always mean starting one from scratch. Success isn’t limited to becoming a YouTuber, influencer, or tech startup founder. There are countless paths to success, and one of the most rewarding is acquiring and growing an existing business that truly makes a difference in our community.
Without a doubt, the best part of writing this book was doing it with my kids. Seeing their excitement when the first copy arrived in the mail, watching them connect the dots between an idea and a finished product—it was incredible. It showed them that hard work and creativity can bring something real into the world. And honestly, that’s what this book is all about: showing kids that opportunities exist all around them if they know where to look.
I hope this book inspires young readers to think differently about business ownership. Whether they choose to start, buy, or innovate within a company one day, I want them to see the possibilities. Because at the end of the day, a stronger economy and a better future depend on the next generation stepping up, embracing entrepreneurship, and doing what they love.
So, here’s to the next generation of entrepreneurs—let’s give them all the tools they need to succeed! 😊 🍋
PS Don’t forget to grab your copy here.
