Episodes

  • Alternative Investing for Teens: Rich Advice for Teens
    Jul 8 2025
    Hey Cash Kids! Let me ask you a big question... What if I told you that you could be a millionaire one day just by saving a little bit of money each year starting NOW — even as a teen? In this episode, we’re talking to Adam Bergman, a retirement expert who’s helped over 17,000 people invest using self-directed IRAs — including his own kids! He’s going to break down how YOU can start investing in things like Bitcoin, real estate, and even small businesses... yes, even as a teen. We’ll talk about: ✅ The secret power of Roth IRAs ✅ How compounding returns make your money grow faster ✅ Why starting early gives YOU the biggest advantage So if you're serious about building real wealth and taking control of your financial future — you do NOT want to miss this. Before we dive in — don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave us a review if you're loving the podcast. Your support helps us reach more future millionaires just like you! Alright, let’s get into it. (intro tease) Cash Kid: Hey Cash kids. Welcome back to the Cash Kid Podcast and today we're doing an interview with none other than the Adam Bergman . He's the founder of IRA Financial Group And IRA Financial Trust, which are the leading providers of self-directed IRA plans and 4 0 1 Ks. He's helped over 17,000 clients make alternative asset investments with their self-directed plans. Adam has published nine books on retirement plans and Taxation is a frequent contributor to Forbes and has been quoted in over 250 major publications. He's passionate about educating Americans of self-directed investment plans and passionate about my generation and learning about these types of investment strategies earlier in life. I'm excited to learn from Adam today. So hey Adam. Welcome to the show, and first off, tell us a little bit about yourself. Adam Bergman: Well thanks so much for having me. Really excited. So I was a tax lawyer and um, for eight years in New York City. Really, um, always wanted to be an entrepreneur. Didn't really know what I wanted to do. And I had the pleasure of being able to help a client who wanted to use his IRA to invest in what's called a hedge fund. Right? It's, a more advanced way to invest. So I was asked to research how he was, able to use his IRA to invest in a hedge fund, and I was totally blown away because. I couldn't imagine myself, always thought of myself as a really, you know, smart guy. I was a tax lawyer of a master's in tax law and I had no idea that you can use your IRA to do alternative assets like real estate or gold or hedge fund. So I quit my job and started IRA Financial about 15 years ago. Cash Kid: you have adults save retirement and really like unique ways. So can you explain just like what a self-directed plan is, but in a way that a kid or teen could understand it? Adam Bergman: Sure, sure. So I'll, let me double click on that and just give a little bit of history and make it easier to understand. So in 1974, IRAs were created Not a lot of Americans got to save for retirement. Right. It was mostly if you worked at big companies like Ford or GE, you had a defined benefit plan, otherwise you just didn't have a chance. So the government created ERISA, which created the IRA and the 401k, which are the two most common ways to save. So what is the foundation? What's an IRA or an individual retirement account? Basically anyone that has some income that works, that has a job, could open an IRA. So you can be a lifeguard, you can be a basketball coach, you can work at the grocery store. You can do chores for a neighbor, as long as it's really not a parent paying you. You can have income and you can put money into an IRA. And what's the advantage? Well, there's two big advantages. One is you get a tax deduction for what you put in. Meaning if you make $20,000 and you get a $5,000 tax deduction, you only pay tax on 15,000, which is good. It's less money goes to the government. And the second is the most important. It's called tax deferral. That means you don't pay tax when your money is invested in an IRA. So here's a simple example. If you take a hundred dollars and buy Bitcoin, okay, or or Tesla stock, and it goes to $200 in an IRA and you sell it, you don't pay any tax. If you did that in a non IRA account, you would pay income tax on that gain. And if you did that for the next 10, 15, 20, 30 years, you're gonna have a lot, lot less money if you saved in a non IRA. Cash Kid: Right. Yeah. And I feel like that's a big factor, and that's part of one of the reasons that we really wanted this interview is so we could teach people the different, like investment strategies or different ways that you could invest through different platforms. And so being able to show like the unique benefits, I think would be really beneficial for us at our age. So thank you. And, uh, third of all, why do you think it's important for people even young people like us to start thinking about money for the future ...
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Who Can Be A Millionaire?
    Jun 24 2025
    Who can be a millionaire? Can I? Can you become one? Hey guys, welcome back to The Cash Kid Podcast! Today, we’re talking about something that most people think is impossible… but actually isn’t. You don’t have to be born rich. You don’t have to be famous. You don’t even need to have a six-figure salary. But what do you need? That’s what we’re going to talk about. My mom and I recently both read Everyday Millionaire by Chris Hogan, and we’re going to break down exactly what makes a millionaire. The best part? Almost anyone can do it—it just takes smart financial choices, patience, and the right mindset. I learned a TON from this book. It actually shocked me how wrong most people are about who millionaires really are. And trust me, after reading this book, I realized that anyone can do this. No lottery tickets, no trust funds—just smart habits, the right mindset, and patience. Remember, the Cash Kid Podcast is here to teach my generation how to earn, save, and invest money earlier in life. We are going to bust some millionaire myths today. Let’s get started. [music interlude] Segment 1: What is a Millionaire? Cash Kid: Alright, so let’s start with the basics. Before we dive into how to become a millionaire, we should probably define what a millionaire actually is. Most people think a millionaire is someone with a million dollars in cash just sitting in a bank account. But that’s not what it means! A millionaire is someone whose net worth is at least $1 million. And net worth is just a fancy way of saying: everything you own, minus everything you owe. Let’s break it down real quick: Say you own a house worth $300,000, but you still owe $200,000 on it. You also own a car worth $75,000, and you’ve paid off $55,000 of it. That means the total value of your assets is $375,000. But when you subtract what you still owe ($255,000), your net worth is $120,000. And to be a millionaire, that number has to be in the millions! Segment 2: Who Actually Becomes a Millionaire? CASH KID: Okay, now that we know what a millionaire is, let’s talk about who actually becomes one. Chris Hogan interviewed over 10,000 millionaires for this book. What surprised me the most was who these millionaires actually are Honestly? I thought most millionaires would be people making six figures or more—big CEOs, athletes, or tech geniuses. But in reality, the majority are regular people! They’re teachers, engineers, small business owners… even people working in everyday jobs. Most of them never made over $100K a year! That blew my mind. The idea that it’s not about how much you make, but how much you keep is huge. So many people think they have to have some crazy high-paying job to build wealth, but it’s really about spending smart, saving consistently, and avoiding debt. There’s a myth about millionaires that Chris Hogan debunks in the book and it’s the thoughts that millionaires always lived flashy lives—you know, fancy cars, designer clothes, huge houses. And for my generation, because of social media nd movies that’s what’s drilled into our heads. We feel and see that’s we have to look and live that way to be rich. But according to the book, most millionaires actually live pretty normal lives. They drive used cars, live in modest homes, and don’t waste money on things they don’t need. Chris Hogan calls it the Millionaire Mindset. They don’t care about looking rich—they care about being rich. Big difference. Most people think that millionaires come from rich families or inherit their money. But that’s so wrong. Did you know that: 🔹 79% of millionaires received no inheritance at all? 🔹 Only 21% inherited anything, and of those, only 16% got more than $100,000. 🔹 And get this—8 out of 10 millionaires came from families that were at or below middle-class income levels. So basically, most millionaires didn’t start rich—they built their wealth from scratch. That’s a HUGE myth-buster! In Chris Hogan’s book he highlights a lot of stats. One of those is that 1 in 3 millionaires never even had a six-figure income in a single year. And only 7% of them made over $200,000 per year. That means you don’t need a fancy job to get there! So what does that tell us? It’s not about how much you make—it’s about how you manage what you make. I think we all are guilty of thinking well those who work lower salary jobs will just never get ahead or be able to reach millionaire status. But he gives examples of teachers, farmers, construction workers all reaching millionaire status. Segment 3: The Millionaire Mindset Okay, let’s talk mindset. One thing that stuck with me from this book is that millionaires believe they’re in control of their own destiny. They don’t sit around waiting for someone to make them rich. They take control, make smart decisions, and stick with them for years. That’s a big deal. If you tell yourself, “I’ll never ...
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Stuck? These 5 Roadblocks Are Holding You Back From Starting a Business
    Jun 12 2025
    Have you ever had a GREAT idea to make money—like selling something cool, offering a service, or turning a hobby into cash—but then, something gets in your way? Maybe you don’t have enough money to start, or you feel like no one would buy from you. Maybe you're thinking, "I'm just a kid, how do I even start?"I get it. I’ve been there. And guess what? So has every successful entrepreneur EVER. The difference between them and everyone else? They didn’t let obstacles stop them.So today, I’m going to tell you the 5 biggest roadblocks that stop kids and teens from starting a business—and exactly how to break through them.By the end of this episode, you’re gonna feel PUMPED to take action. No more waiting. No more excuses. Let’s go!Hey, Cash Kids! Welcome back to the Cash Kid Podcast where I’m on a mission to teach my generation (and some adults) how to earn, save, and invest money earlier in life. This season we’re focusing on kid and teen entrepreneurs. If you aren’t already, please subscribe to our show and share with a friend. Leave a comment from wherever you are listening and head to our website to purchase some Cash Kid merch to help fund our show. This is the best way for us to continue to grow and change the financial direction of the next generation.Alright, now let’s get into the top roadblocks we face in starting a business. Let’s break it down starting with number 1.Roadblock 1: Not Knowing Where to StartOkay, let’s be real for a second. Starting a business can be overwhelming. With so many options, it’s tough to know where to begin. You might think, “Should I sell cookies? Or start a tutoring business? Or maybe create a YouTube channel?” It can feel like there’s just too much to choose from.Here’s the thing—I’ve been there, too. I spent weeks thinking about what I should do, and then I realized that the best place to start was with something I already loved. Do you have a hobby or a skill you’re passionate about? It could be anything—from baking, drawing, or even gaming! The key is to build your business around something you already enjoy. Trust me, that passion will make it so much easier to stick with it when things get tough.And listen, don’t overthink it. I know it sounds like a lot, but sometimes the best business ideas come from the things you already do every day. Do people ask you to help with their homework? Maybe you could start tutoring! Do you love animals? Maybe it’s time for a dog-walking business. The key is to solve a problem—whether that’s helping someone with their homework or providing a service people really need.Rockblock 2: Not Having Enough Money to StartNow, let’s talk about something that trips up a lot of young entrepreneurs—money. It’s true that many businesses need some upfront costs, whether it’s supplies, marketing, or tools. But here’s a secret: you don’t need to spend a ton of money to get started.Let’s use the classic lemonade stand business venture. Most kids who set these stands up don’t have much cash or budget. But they figured out they could use things they already had at home: cups, a table, some lemonade mix, and a pitcher. That was it! They didn’t need fancy branding or a high-end website—just a simple idea and a little bit of effort.If you want to start a business that requires almost no money, consider service-based businesses like tutoring, babysitting, or offering to do yard work like raking leaves. These kinds of businesses have zero startup costs, and you can start making money right away. And once you earn some cash, you can reinvest it into your business to make it even better.Also, if you need a little extra cash to kickstart your idea, don’t hesitate to talk to your parents. Maybe they can help with a small loan to get you started—or even help promote your business to family and friends!Roadblock 3: Not Having Enough TimeI know this one all too well. Between school, sports, hanging out with friends, and just trying to enjoy your free time, finding time for a business can seem impossible. Trust me, I’ve had days where I felt like there was no way I could run my business AND do everything else I love.But here’s the trick: treat your business like any other important commitment. That might mean setting aside just one hour a week to work on your project or business. Maybe it’s after school or on the weekends… I mean… we filmed this episode on the weekend. So, use your time wisely and take advantage of time away from school to work on your business. Do whatever works best for you. The important part is making time for it regularly.You can spend one hour a day wasting time sitting in front of a TV or one hour a day focused on a ways to improve your skills in an area. That equates to 30 hours of progress after one month or 30 hours more of well… nothing. Think about it!And don’t feel like you have to go big right away! Start small and build from there. ...
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Secrets the Rich Know (That We Don’t Learn in School)
    May 28 2025

    Secrets the Rich Know (That We Don’t Learn in School)




    Ever wonder why some people always seem to have money, while others struggle no matter how hard they work? Is it luck? A family secret? Or something we’re not learning in school?


    Welcome back to the Cash Kid Podcast. I’m your host, the Cash Kid, where I’m on a mission to teach my generation how to earn, save, and invest money earlier in life.


    This is episode 51 of the show, and we’ve covered a wide range of topics, but today, we’re tackling a question that I’ve pondered and others have asked me about. This idea stemmed from a famous financial book I read. What is it, and do the rich have secrets we don’t know about?


    Let’s dive in. The Cash Kid Podcast is underway!


    Intro tease:

    So you’ve got some cash. Maybe from an allowance, or that money your grandma gave you for your 7th birthday. Here you go, sweetie. Thanks, Grandma.


    Whatever it is, what are you going to do with it? Spend it, hide it away… or maybe invest it? Let’s start learning how to make that money grow.

    Time to learn how to be a cash kid.


    I want to make it clear that as a 13-year-old, I in no way think money will buy you happiness or fix all your problems. But debt and not knowing enough about your finances can also cause unhappiness and problems.


    So the mission here on the Cash Kid Podcast is always to educate, inform, and motivate my peers to take healthy action in their financial journey. And the way we do that is through acquiring good information and taking conscientious action with our money.


    Now, why should a kid or teen my age care?

    Just ask your parents.


    Most will tell you they were taught very little about finances when growing up or in school. Why is that?


    For Christmas, my parents bought me the famous financial book, Rich Dad Poor Dad. Rich Dad Poor Dad opened my eyes. It compares how two dads—one rich, one not—teach their kids about money. One teaches how to grow wealth, the other stays silent, hoping a job and hard work will be enough.


    This book illustrates the difference between how the rich talk to their kids about finances

    while the Poor Dad doesn’t.


    But how can we change this?

    This is what motivated me at the age of 11 to start this podcast. You see, I was in a special class in the 4th grade that got to play the stock market game for ten week period. We were handed $100,000 in fake money to invest for ten weeks. I felt like a mini-investor. I was totally hooked playing the game. But I realized most of my classmates never got this chance, and that bothered me.


    A year later, after talking to my parents, reading books and talking to my teachers, I realized it wasn’t just kids who weren’t financially literate… it was adults too. I thought, this can’t continue. And if you don’t think we kids see and realize how much debt our nation, many recent graduates, and families are in…well, we’re watching.


    So, what can we do?

    I believe we need more financial education in our school systems.


    As of May 2025, 27 U.S. states require high school students to complete a personal finance course to graduate. This marks a significant increase from just 6 states in 2019, reflecting a growing recognition of the importance of financial literacy in preparing students for real-world challenges


    Just last month, I had the opportunity to speak to 100 7th graders about ways they could earn, save, and invest money. Then two weeks later, I got to give the same presentation to 75 6th graders. You wouldn’t believe how many questions these kids had. What was even more encouraging was that we learned that numerous students, after our presentation, the students went home, talked to their parents, and opened savings or investment accounts. Then we heard that one math teacher after learning about us and how interested her kids were about investing, is working it into her curriculum.


    So, how do we do it?

    We educate. We talk about it. We find ways to inform.

    That’s our mission and goal. Let’s close that gap.


    Thanks for listening. Cash Kid, get curious. Ask questions. Read books like Rich Dad Poor Dad. Be sure to like and subscribe and check out our Cash Kid merch at cashkidpocast.com

    Remember our motto: anyone can be a Cash Kid, you just have to learn how to become one.

    Cash Kid, out!



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    Less than 1 minute
  • How I Make Money as a Teen (My Income Streams at 13!)
    Apr 1 2025
    It’s episode 50 of the Cash Kid Podcast!Yep, we’ve covered 50 topics related to teaching my generation how to earn, save, and invest their money earlier in life. It’s my mission to create generation that’s more informed about their finances, one that asks more questions, smarter money management skills, and less stress.But one things we haven’t discussed is, how does the Cash Kid make money.Now in season 3 of this show we’ve been focused on spotlighting other fellow “Cash Kids” about ways they’ve been making money. And what we’ve learned from talking with this kids and teens is there are so many ways for us to make some extra cash while young. So, I thought I would spotlight some of the ways I’ve been exploring to make some extra cash. Let’s dive in. The Cash Kid Podcast is underway![musical interlude transition]1: My Part-Time JobAlright, I’m not going to lie. I might get a little excited and run down a few rabbit holes when I learn about ways to make money. The most recent was how to create a faceless YouTube channel. This is where you create a bunch of YouTube shorts and post on social to make get a bunch of vanity views and make money on YouTube. There’s a 16-year-old who touts he’s made millions doing this. He had a simple course you could even take to see how he does it. I watched it. I tried it. It’s harder than it looks. I’ve had a few other things like that one as well and honestly, I learn a little from doing research and knowing what’s a vital option or what’s going to really take a lot more time and energy that I have to give to make it work. So this focus on ane of the first ways I make money—and that’s through working at the concessions stands at our local sporting events in my town. I found out about this by seeing kids my age and hearing them talk about working here. I thought I could do it to so I texted the Owner and I got the job.Now, don’t get me wrong, juggling school, a podcast, and a job can be a lot. But working at the concession stand has been a great way for me to generate income. It’s steady, predictable, and gives me the freedom to invest in my other business ventures. Funny fact, one night I was working the concession stand at a high school basket ball game. I had a customer ask if I speak French. Well turns out, I am currently taking French and I was able to take his order in French. He tipped me $5 bucks!(Say something in French)If you’re looking for a steady income, and old enough to work, consider getting a part-time job at places like Publix, your local concession stands, or any other businesses in your area. Even if it’s just a few hours a week, it’s a great way to start making your own money and learning how to manage it. Lesson Learned: What’s a lesson learned from this venture. Keep your eyes and ears open! I learned about this one from a friend discussing it and then researched it myself. There are always opportunities around you to make money—you just have to be ready to take them.2: Buying, Selling, and Trading Sports CardsAnother way I make money is by flipping sports cards. I sell through two platforms: eBay and Whatnot. You’ve probably heard of eBay, and Whatnot is an auction-based site where you can buy and sell cards in real time.Flipping sports cards is easier than most people think. I spend about an hour each week searching for cards at a low price, buying them, and then reselling them at a higher value. Setting up an account on these platforms takes a little time, but once you’re in, it’s super easy to list, sell, and ship. Plus, both sites offer prepaid shipping labels, making the process even smoother. With this I have learned to speak in front of a live audience, how to ship items, how to be prompt and professional, and people skillsIf sports cards aren’t your thing, you can do this with sneakers, vintage clothing, or even collectibles. The key is to buy low and sell high! Lesson Learned: Selling sports cards taught me how to talk to a live audience and present myself well so that customers trust me and want to buy from me. Confidence and communication are key!3: Selling 3D-Printed ItemsAnother way I make money is by selling 3D-printed items. Two Christmases ago, my brother got a 3D printer, but after a couple of months, he lost interest. I saw an opportunity after watching Instagram videos of people selling 3D-printed products, so I put that printer to work!I started making small fidget toys and selling them to my peers and on eBay. Within two days, I had already made $100. The best part? The printer does most of the work! I just load the filament, press a few buttons, and wait for the products to print. The profit margins are high—sometimes 400-500+%! Also, I had the opportunity to sell at a local business at thier Young Entrepreneur week. And made around $150 in like 2 hours!If you have a 3D printer or anything else lying around that you can repurpose to make money, go...
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    Less than 1 minute
  • My Tesla Stock Journey: Why I Need to Talk to Elon Musk!
    Mar 11 2025
    /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Aptos; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Aptos; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-font-kerning:1.0pt; mso-ligatures:standardcontextual;} I bought Tesla stock at the age of 10…. And then things tanked. I’ve been ready to hit that sale button so many times on this stock. Did I though? I’d really like to talk to Elon Musk about how my generation could affect his stock and the future of Tesla. Let’s talk Elon. A new episode the Cash Kid Podcast is underway. Welcome back to another episode of the Cash Kid Podcast. I’m your host, the Cash Kid. We took a little break.. as well… I’m 13…I go to school full-time… I kind of really like to make good grades… and I made my school’s tennis team and so my parents wanted me to take a break before recording more episodes. But, I’m back and it’s time to talk about Tesla… and my Tesla stock in particular. If you didn’t know, here on the Cash Kid Podcast our mission is the teach my generation (and some adults) how to earn, save, and invest money earlier in life. The whole premise of this episode and the Cash Kid movement started because in the 4th grade I was allowed to play the stock market game as a class challenge in school. I immediately fell in love with stocks. I was fascinated how the price of a company’s stock could go up and down and how someone like me… a 10-year old at the time… could take the money just sitting in my wallet, invest it and then make more money. But really, this is what set the idea in motion. Within a few months, I discovered an app called Greenlight where I…who was 10 at the time, could purchase fractional shares of a company and I could purchase stock in a company to try and get a gain. Now have you ever put money into something, thought it was going to the moon, and then—BOOM—it crashes? That’s exactly what happened when I bought my first Tesla stock at 10 years old. I was pumped! I had saved my money, did my research, and when Tesla split in 2022, I finally got my chance to buy a full share for around $250. But then, something happened that I did NOT expect… Tesla dropped. Hard. Suddenly, I wasn’t making money—I was losing money. And as a 10-year-old investor, let me tell you, watching your first-ever stock go from a bull market to a bear market is like riding the world’s scariest rollercoaster—except your money is on the line!Alright, let’s take it back to 2022. I had been saving up money, learning about investing, and watching Tesla for a while. But before I could invest, Tesla’s stock price was over $1,000 per share—which was way out of my budget. But then, Tesla announced a stock split. If you don’t know what that means, it’s when a company splits its shares to make them more affordable to investors. So instead of being $1,000 per share, Tesla dropped to around $250 after the split. And I jumped on it right away! I was so excited because I thought, “This is it! Tesla is the future! I’m about to make BANK!” But investing doesn’t always work like that. Not long after I bought my Tesla stock, the market tanked. In late 2022 and early 2023, the stock market was struggling. Inflation was up, interest rates were high, and people weren’t spending as much money. It was what some called a mini-recession—and Tesla was hit hard. My $250 stock? Dropped by over $100. And as a kid investor, let me tell you, that hurt. I started thinking, "Did I just make a huge mistake? Should I sell before I lose even more?" And honestly, part of me wanted to call up Elon Musk and say, "Dude! What is going on? Fix this!" And my Mom says daily I would get in the car after school, open up my Greenlight account and check the price. I was obsessed over how it was performing. But here’s what I learned—the stock market isn’t about quick wins. It’s about patience. One thing I realized is that a company’s stock price isn’t just about numbers—it’s about people’s confidence in that company. And Tesla? It’s tied to Elon Musk like no other company. Whenever Elon does something big—whether it’s launching a new car, buying Twitter (which he did in 2022 now know as X), or making a statement about politics—the stock moves. For example: When Tesla was booming in 2021, people had HUGE confidence in electric cars. More people were buying Teslas, and investors saw the company as a tech powerhouse. Boom—stock price went up. But when Elon started focusing more on Twitter in 2022, investors ...
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    9 mins
  • Building for Cash: From Legos to Business, How Eli Turned His Passion Into Profit!
    Jan 9 2025

    At just 11 years old, Eli Everts has turned his passion for building into a successful business! In this episode of the Cash Kid Podcast, we dive into Eli's journey as 'The Assembly Man.' Learn how he started assembling furniture, toys, and more to earn his own money. Eli shares his love for Legos, the tools he uses (like his dad’s drill!), and even how he balances schoolwork with his side hustle.

    If you're a kid or teen dreaming of starting your own business, Eli’s story will inspire you to turn your unique skills into a money-making venture! 💡 From the importance of marketing (shoutout to Eli's mom!) to the joy of helping others, this episode is packed with tips and motivation.

    Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to the Cash Kid Podcast for more stories about young entrepreneurs turning their passions into profits! 💰✨

    📌 Follow Eli’s advice: Think about your talents, find problems you can solve, and start building your dream business today!


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    10 mins
  • 17-Year-Old CEO Builds a Successful Car Detailing Business | Teen Entrepreneur Success Story
    Dec 17 2024
    Cash Kid: [00:00:00] Hey everyone, welcome back to the Cash Kid Podcast. Today, we're highlighting the ultimate teen entrepreneur, a 17 year old who's running his own car detailing business and making serious money while still in high school. Not only is he handling multiple clients, but he's also managing a team of employees, proving that age is no barrier when it comes to entrepreneurship. Cash Kid: With big aspirations to plan to go to a business school. This senior is already on the fast track to success. We're excited to dive into his story, how he grew his business, and what the future holds for him. This is an episode you won't want to miss. So let's meet today's Cash Kid. If you aren't already, be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube at Cash Kid Podcast. Cash Kid: Or sign up for our mailing list at cashkidpodcast. com. Stay tuned. The Cash Kid Podcast is underway. Cash Kid: Eli Slaton, welcome to the show. And first off, tell us a little bit about yourself. Eli Slaton: Thank you for having me. My name's Eli Slaton. Um, I'm 17 years old and [00:01:00] I'm a mobile car detailer in Birmingham, Alabama. I love working on cars. And so that's what I do for people. I help clean up their cars and get them how they like them. Cash Kid: How did you come up with the idea to start a car detailing business? Like, how did you get it off the ground? Eli Slaton:I've always loved cars. There's something about bringing a car back to life that's just satisfying. I noticed that many people didn't just want their cars washed, they wanted them detailed, really taken care of, inside and out. That's when I thought, Hey, I can do this as a business. I started small, just detailing cars for friends and family and in my community. I used what I had at first, basic supplies and a lot of hard work. But as I made money, I reinvested it into better tools and equipment, which helped me deliver even better results. Word started to spread and more people wanted my services. That's when I realized this could be something a little bigger than I [00:02:00] thought. I officially started my business, and then from there, it's just been consistent improvement and growth. Yeah, that's really interesting about how you took something that you weren't sure about, and then you ended up turning it into like a full grown business. Cash Kid: So, you've grown your business now from the point to where you're managing employees. What's it like being a teen and running a team? How do you keep everything so organized? Eli Slaton: Yeah, managing employees as a teenager is definitely an interesting experience. Uh, right now I have about 10 part time employees, and each one plays an important role in making sure our clients are happy. At first it was overwhelming, and I think about how to organize everything. Scheduling appointments, assigning tasks, and keeping track of details. It was kind of overwhelming. But, I quickly realized the importance of systems and communicating. I use scheduling apps and tools to stay organized, and I hold regular meetings with my team to make sure that we're on the [00:03:00] same page. I also try and lead by example. If I, if I want my team to go above and beyond for our clients, I need to show them what it looks like. It's not always easy, but it's rewarding to see my team come together and deliver high quality detailing services. Cash Kid: Yeah, I mean, you really have to keep them in line, but then you also have to manage them and get your entire business going. Eli Slaton: So, being a senior in high school while running a successful business might keep you busy. How do you balance school, work, and your personal life? Balancing school, business, and personal life has been one of the biggest challenges for me. Being a senior in high school means I have to focus on my classes, but running a successful business with over 300 clients now and a team of employees means I have a lot of responsibilities outside of school. What helps me most is staying organized. I use a business planner to map out my day and make sure I'm [00:04:00] prioritizing my important tasks. For example, I might use a couple hours in the morning to work on schoolwork, and then focus on detailing in the afternoon, and still make some time to relax and hang out with friends and family. Eli Slaton: It's really a balancing act, but when you care about what you're doing, you'll find a way to make it work. Cash Kid: That's really important because if you can't balance school and do your business, you might be doing too much because school is still very important. So what challenges have you faced as a young entrepreneur, especially when it comes to managing both clients and employees? How did you overcome those challenges? Eli Slaton: Yeah, starting a business as a teenager definitely comes with some challenges. Uh, for me, one of my hardest parts was gaining credibility as a young entrepreneur. Some, some clients ...
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    13 mins