How an 8-Year-Old Inspired a New Coffee Revolution for Kids

Celebrating Small Family Businesses

David and Ethan Sanborn, a father-son duo, have created Kiid Coffee, a unique beverage designed specifically for children. This episode delves into their entrepreneurial journey, highlighting Ethan's inspiration behind the product and their collaborative efforts in developing a nutritious decaf coffee that caters to kids. Ethan, at just eight years old, expresses his desire to start a business and earn some money, showcasing the innocence and ambition of youth. His father, David, shares insights into the challenges they faced in ensuring the coffee was suitable for children, particularly regarding the caffeine content, taste, and nutritional value. The conversation reveals the importance of understanding children’s needs and preferences in product development, as well as the Sanborns’ commitment to creating a healthy alternative to traditional coffee drinks.

Throughout the discussion, David emphasizes how the product emerged from a personal journey of health and wellness. After Ethan experienced two broken legs, the family reassessed their approach to nutrition, leading them to discover gaps in children’s vitamin intake. They realized that many kids lacked essential nutrients like calcium and vitamin D, prompting them to formulate a drink that not only tastes good but also provides nutritional benefits. This episode serves not only as a celebration of a small family business but also as a lesson in the importance of listening to children and responding to their needs in a thoughtful way.

The episode further explores the nature of entrepreneurship, particularly in the context of family-run businesses. David shares candid reflections on the learning process, mistakes made along the way, and the significance of customer feedback in refining their product. Their journey illustrates the power of innovation driven by personal experience, as well as the potential for familial collaboration in navigating the challenges of starting a business. Kiid Coffee stands as a testament to how a simple idea can evolve into a meaningful product that resonates with both children and parents, highlighting the broader theme of nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Find 3 flavors of Kiid Coffee at their website, https://kiidcoffee.com or on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/KiidCoffee/page/55ADAF21-DA53-411C-BB62-DB9B42E0E2F3

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Kiid Coffee

00:23 Ethan's Inspiration and Love for Coffee

01:27 Creating a Kid-Friendly Coffee

02:11 Taste Testing and Family Involvement

02:55 Balancing Business and Family Life

10:49 Health and Wellness Journey

15:18 Developing Nutritional Products

21:01 Embracing Sweets in Moderation

21:32 The Benefits and Risks of Caffeine

21:50 Marketing to Kids: The Colorful Appeal

22:20 Addressing Concerns About Kids and Coffee

22:49 Health Benefits of Coffee and Caffeine

24:51 Personal Stories: Coffee's Impact on Families

26:44 Exploring Natural and Synthetic Ingredients

31:58 The Journey of Starting Kiid Coffee

33:47 The Importance of Customer Feedback

38:00 Marketing Strategies and Brand Storytelling

41:31 Supporting Small Businesses

42:44 Where to Find Kiid Coffee