Keith and the Kigali Beans

When Keith, my 8 year old, announced his plans to sell beans in a Rwandan market, I wasn’t exactly the most supportive parent.

“That’s impossible,” I responded. The idea of an American boy selling beans in a Kigali market just didn’t seem likely.

But he proved me wrong in a beautiful way.

keith beans

We had been exploring HOPE’s work and learning about entrepreneurship. Turns out, Keith had been listening intently.

While I was in meetings, Keith was exploring outside. He found a field that had recently been harvested. They had missed some beans in the soil. So he found a couple plastic bags and picked beans and sorted them by type.

After a couple hours, he had three small bags full of beans.

When we reached Kigali, Keith asked me to go with him to the local market to try and sell the beans. We walked down an unpaved road until we came to a small group of businesses. Approaching the first vendor, I translated for him as he explained that he was here to sell his beans.

Truth is, I didn’t want him to try and sell the beans. I thought there was absolutely no way he would find a buyer. My fears were confirmed when the vendor laughed as he realized this “rich American” was trying to sell three small bags of beans. I wondered if Keith would go home disappointed with this first refusal.

But Keith knew that entrepreneurs don’t take the first “no.”

Entrepreneurial Keith

So we walked on to the next market. There, he saw a man selling pineapples and bananas. Keith approached the man. In earnest again, Keith began explaining that he was here to sell his beans. And with a giant smile, the man reached into his pocket. He took out 50 francs and bought Keith’s beans.

Keith was ecstatic. His first international business sale.

When we reached home, Keith was glowing and tossed me 20 francs and said, “Thanks for your help, Dad. Why don’t you go and buy yourself a donut.”

We went to bed—but the next morning, Keith had beans on his mind.

We left early to go visit Akagera National Park, but while visiting giraffes, Keith commented, “Dad this is great, but will we get home in time for me to go to the market before it closes?”

Turns out he was thinking about opportunity cost. Time looking at giraffes was time he wasn’t selling beans.

Beans - Keith

When we returned home, he took his earnings and bought more beans. He spent the evening packaging them in smaller packages and headed to the market again the next day.

Repeatedly, Keith sold his beans, bought more, sold more. Turning his inventory multiple times, he started to accumulate more capital, as well as a reputation as the International Bean Seller in the local market.

He tried to hire Irebe and Isaro, his two Rwandan cousins. But as is common for 5 and 7 year olds, they were more interested in playing than in working. At the end of the day, Keith lamented, “I wanted to pay them, but I couldn’t because they didn’t work.”

After two days, Keith had earned 3,500 francs.

“Dad, I just turned time into money!” he celebrated.

He proceeded to buy a pineapple for our family. We feasted on his hard work and entrepreneurial spirit.

This was not an experience I will forget as I was humbled by Keith’s entrepreneurship. He modeled five key lessons every entrepreneur knows:

  1. Don’t always listen to people who say, “That’s impossible.”
  2. Don’t go home after your first “no.”
  3. By working hard, it’s possible to turn time into money.
  4. Power is in reinvestment and compounding your earnings.
  5. Working hard allows the joys of generosity – including juicy pineapples.

10 Comments

  1. Andrew
    July 15, 2013

    That’s a great story! Well done, Keith.

    Reply
  2. Steve Demme
    July 15, 2013

    Great story. Simple and sublime. Go Keith !

    Reply
  3. John H. Quinley Jr.
    July 15, 2013

    Love it , Peter! I can joyfully say over the years I have been increasingly challenged and encouraged by my son as well. Mine recently finished from Eastern University.

    Reply
  4. Gavin Baker
    July 15, 2013

    Thanks for sharing! I love stories like this, and can’t wait to see what else he sells and builds in his life!

    Reply
  5. Jackson Karama
    July 15, 2013

    Wow Keith! Incredible story. You inspired me!

    Reply
  6. Keith Duff
    July 16, 2013

    Praise the Lord. The things we can learn from our children! And the encouragement God gives us through them.

    🙂

    Reply
  7. Gramps
    July 16, 2013

    Keith – Nana and Gramps are very proud of you!

    Reply
    1. Peter Greer
      July 23, 2013

      Thank you Nana and Gramps. We clearly have an entrepreneur in the family!

      Reply
  8. Maggie
    July 19, 2013

    Such a great read! You forgot to mention that he hired Claudine and paid her 350 francs for helping him and accompanying him to the market! After making the payment, he asked her what she was going to do with them money! Claudine said she would use it to buy candy. Keith had hoped for a business partner in her:) We miss the International -business- man- in -a -hat!

    Reply
    1. Peter Greer
      July 23, 2013

      Maggie – such an important point. Claudine was the secret to Keith’s success. They will have more business ventures next time we’re in Rwanda. Thanks again for your wonderful hospitality and friendship.

      Reply

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