Small business people at work

Charlie, age 9, has begun writing his next edition of The Francis Drive Weekly, a less-than-weekly newspaper that he distributes to neighbors on our street.

Hearing about the latest edition, Clara, age 12, asked if she could place an ad in his paper, promoting her mother’s helper services.

Charlie and Clara then began negotiating the size of the proposed ad and its corresponding price. For more than three minutes, they went back and forth on price, size, and location in the paper. They settled on a “medium-sized ad” for $1.

Clara handed Charlie four quarters.

Clara then asked that the ad include the fact that she is fully vaccinated.

Charlie said “That should drive business your way.”

Clara agreed.

Elysha and I are apparently living with human beings who can negotiate ad rates and write targeted ad copy but still leave shoes lying all over the house and can’t turn off a damn light.