Thursday, March 28, 2024
46.0°F

Early bloomers

by BILL BULEY
Staff Writer | August 29, 2020 1:00 AM

COEUR d’ALENE — Sierra Linthicum wants to own and operate a business when she grows up.

The 10-year-old is off to a good start — because she’s already doing it.

On a sunny Friday morning, when most kids were probably playing or watching TV at home, Sierra, sister Cheyenne, 8, and mom Summer were selling flowers, zucchini and squash in Coeur d’Alene.

These weren’t just any flowers and those weren't just any zucchini and squash. Mom and daughters planted and prepared these in the garden of their Post Falls home.

They team up on production, packaging, sales and reinvesting in the business. Their diligence is paying off and their garden is growing.

“It takes patience,” Sierra said when asked what she’s learned so far.

Last Friday, they earned more than $100 from their stand outside a relative’s home at 13th and Young in the Sanders Beach neighborhood, which they chose because it has good traffic count.

“We did good. We sold every single bouquet,” Sierra said.

Summer Linthicum, recovering from a broken foot, said her daughters have long wanted to set up their own flower stand. This year, she decided it was time to give them the opportunity they’ve been working toward.

“Sierra’s been wanting to sell something,” her mom said. “She’s kind of an entrepreneur.”

“I love to grow flowers,” Sierra said.

Cheyenne said it’s a lot of hard work, but it’s worth it.

Family roots run deep with the Linthicums.

Their grandfather, Jay Linthicum, built the cart for them and mom oversees cultivation of colorful dahlias, cosmos and poppies, in an array of yellows, purples, whites and pinks.

Bouquets were going for $10, or $13 with a jar. Squash, one weighing near 10 pounds, were priced at $2 each and four filled the top shelf.

People passing by, walking, biking, or in vehicles, stopped and shopped, many complimenting the girls for their initiative and creativity.

And they liked what the saw, as the stand was sold out before the morning was over.

Sierra, the more talkative of the two girls, greeted customers with a friendly smile and hello.

“I want that cart. That’s amazing,” shouted a woman on a scooter as she stopped at the intersection.

Summer offered to wrap up some flowers for the woman, who said she would return on her way home because she was so impressed.

“I think it’s awesome,” she said.

The girls split their profits, with a third going to their college savings accounts, a third is invested into their business and a third is for spending.

But they don’t blow their money on snacks and games.

“They usually end up using that to help other kids,” their mom said.

Sierra and Cheyenne nodded in agreement.

“I like buying presents for people. I have a lot of stuff and I don’t need all of it,” Sierra said. “I don’t really need much.”

They haven’t named their business yet, but soon.

“It’s the fresh flower market right now,” mom said.

They plan to be back at 13th and Young next Friday morning. Sierra and Cheyenne hope to see you there.