15 Doors, 1 Yes: What my 10 year old son taught me about entrepreneurship.
Over the weekend, my 10-year-old son Nick gave me a masterclass in entrepreneurship—and he didn’t even know it.
He asked me to drive him to our town’s ‘downtown’ (a neighborhood full of closely-packed houses, many with retired folks). His plan? To knock on doors and offer snow-shoveling services.
Now, I’ll admit, I was skeptical. Would people think he was annoying? Would he even do a good job? (Because let’s be real: if he flaked, I’d be the one with the shovel.) But Nick was laser-focused. So, armed with his sales pitch and more confidence than I’ve ever had in my life, he went for it.
Door 1: No answer.
Door 2: No answer.
Door 15: Bingo!
Here’s the kicker: Nick knew exactly who his target customer was (retired folks with snowy driveways), exactly what he was offering (a cleared driveway and walkway), and he was willing to do the job—despite never having to pitch himself in his life.
Talk about guts.
When someone finally gave him a chance, he spent 45 minutes shoveling with all the effort of a kid raising money for…college. (Yes, that was his pitch, which honestly made me laugh out loud—he’s 10!) His customer was thrilled, handed him $10, and even gave him their contact info for next time.
Here’s what we can all learn from Nick:
Know your target client and meet them where they are. Online, or like Nick, in person.
Be clear about what you’re offering (and why it’s valuable). Nick didn't offer five services, he offered one.
You don’t need to be an expert—just willing to show up and figure it out.
Persistence is key. Nick knocked on 15 doors before he got his “yes.” How many times have you given up before your yes?
Entrepreneurship can feel daunting, but it’s really just this: knocking on doors, asking for opportunities, and delivering when someone says yes.
Be like Nick. Your next ‘yes’ is waiting.
Looking for a space to brainstorm your next move or connect with people who “get it”? Book a Tour of CoHo and surround yourself with a community that keeps knocking.