Ethan Sanborn, an 8-year-old boy, ventured into entrepreneurship with the help of his parents in 2024, creating a child-friendly coffee brand called “Kiid Coffee.” In the same year, he managed to earn $150,000 in revenue. Additionally, he successfully secured an investment on the American reality show “Shark Tank.” This young boy has scripted an inspirational story with creativity and hard work.
According to a report from CNBC’s “Make It” column, Ethan’s journey in the coffee business officially began in April 2024. However, as Ethan’s father David revealed, Ethan had always enjoyed trying various sales activities since he was young, from selling lemonade to trading Pokémon cards, showcasing a constant stream of innovative ideas.
One day, after taking a few sips of his father’s coffee, Ethan had a brilliant idea: why not create a coffee specifically designed for children? Initially skeptical of this notion, David worried that parents might object to kids drinking coffee. But Ethan was firm in his belief: “If I like it, surely there will be others who like it too.”
Subsequently, he started experimenting and adjusting various recipes at home with his father, such as decaffeinated coffee and adding nutrients. Eventually, they launched “Kiid Coffee,” positioning it as a nearly caffeine-free beverage with added prebiotic fiber, calcium, and iron, making it a healthy and suitable option for children to enjoy.
In 2024, “Kiid Coffee” saw sales growth and achieved $150,000 in revenue, all of which was reinvested into the business. David, Ethan’s father, still holds another full-time job, relying primarily on three part-time employees to operate “Kiid Coffee.” The coffee is not only sold online but has also made its way into some cafes, available in both packaged and single-serve formats.
As of March 2025, the children’s coffee brand “Kiid Coffee” has garnered nearly ten thousand followers on TikTok. Ethan actively engages in social media marketing and spends 30 minutes daily with his father addressing customer feedback and brainstorming about future plans.
Ethan’s success caught the attention of “Shark Tank.” During his appearance on the show, he and his father confidently presented their product. Daniel Lubetzky offered $50,000 for a 20% stake and promised an additional 5% stake refund if David joined full-time. Father and son accepted his investment conditions, believing Lubetzky’s experience in the food industry was crucial for the future development of “Kiid Coffee.”
Ethan’s success stems from passion, innovation, and the support of his parents. His product has also filled a gap in the children’s coffee market. While pursuing entrepreneurship fervently and actively engaging in marketing, Ethan has not forsaken the joys of childhood. David remarked, “He can go out to play at any time.”
This father-son duo with the “Kiid Coffee” brand of coffee has proven that with the right support, children can also venture into entrepreneurship and achieve commercial success. In the future, they plan to expand the market further with the help of investments, marking just the beginning of Ethan’s entrepreneurial journey. The kind of success he ultimately achieves is eagerly anticipated by many.