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Entrepreneurship has no age to start, and some stories surprise with early success. In 2024, an 8-year-old boy managed to earn US$ 150.000 with his coffee business
A young boy from United States, named Ethan Sanborn, at just 8 years old, became a successful entrepreneur. In 2024, his company, Kiid Coffee, billed US$ 150.000 and secured a five-digit investment in SCHEDULE Shark Tank, from ABC.
Ethan and his father, David Sanborn, pitched the product to the reality show's investors and received offers from big names.
O Kiid Coffee It is a drink created for children. Unlike traditional coffee, it has a negligible amount of caffeine and includes nutrients such as prebiotic fiber, iron and calcium.
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The idea came from a simple observation: Ethan realized that he liked the taste of his father's coffee and figured other children might like it too.
The emergence of Kiid Coffee
The business started in April 2024, but Ethan's interest in the world of entrepreneurship came earlier.
From an early age, he showed an interest in business, selling lemonade and Pokémon cards. His father, David, is also an experienced entrepreneur and saw a natural talent in his son.
The idea for a children's café came about unexpectedly. One day, Ethan tried a sip of his father's coffee and liked it.
He suggested creating a children's version, but David had doubts.”Parents will go crazy“, he thought at first. However, Ethan insisted: “If I like it, other kids will like it too."
To validate the idea, Ethan asked friends at school, while David researched children’s interest in coffee. They both realized there was a potential audience and decided to go for it.
More than 100 recipes were tested, combining types of decaffeinated coffee, flavorings and vitamins. Production began in the home kitchen, with Ethan and his brother as the main tasters.
The first batches were packed in plastic bags and distributed to neighbors. The response was positive, and the business gained momentum.
Rapid success and sales
Soon, Kiid Coffee began to be sold in coffee shops and online. The difference lies in its composition, which allows children to consume the drink without the negative effects of caffeine. The product focuses on health, including essential nutrients.
In 2024, the company made $150.000 in revenue. The profits are being reinvested into growing the business. David still works a full-time job, with three part-time employees to run the company.
The Big Break on 'Shark Tank'
On the “Shark Tank” program, investors had doubts about the viability of the business due to the company's lack of experience.
Mark Cuban was one of those who initially declined to invest. However, he changed his mind when he learned that Kiid Coffee was already in coffee shops, not just on e-commerce.
Cuban and Lori Greiner made a joint offer of $50.000 for 20% of the company. Investor Daniel Lubetzky, founder of Kind Snacks, offered the same amount for the same percentage, but with a twist: if David took over the business full-time, he would give back 5% of his equity. Kevin O'Leary made a final offer of $50.000 for 15%, lowering his original offer of 30%.
David and Ethan chose to go with Lubetzky. “He’s a great human being,” David said. “Plus, his experience in the food industry is very valuable to us.”
Ethan's involvement and the future of Kiid Coffee
Even with his daily routine as a child, Ethan actively participates in the business. He takes care of digital marketing and creates content for social media, especially on TikTok, where the brand has almost 10.000 followers.
Additionally, he and David dedicate about 30 minutes a day to analyzing customer feedback and planning new developments.
Despite his involvement, David assures that Ethan still has time to play. “He really enjoys the business, but he also knows when to just be a kid,” he says.
With the new investment and Lubetzky’s guidance, Kiid Coffee is set to grow even further. The goal is to expand distribution to more coffee shops and explore new market opportunities.
Ethan, at just 8 years old, has already shown that he has the entrepreneurial vision and creativity to take his idea even further.
