It’s no secret that the ongoing pandemic has left many people with no job. Mom of three and single parent Berenice Pacheco from East Los Angeles is one of them. This unfortunate event prompted her eight-year-old son Aaron to come up with a way to make ends meet for his struggling family. So, he started selling plants to family members and neighbors. Soon enough, he was able to transform his small startup into a full-blown business and turn his family’s life around.
Apparently, it all started with a simple craving for his favorite snack—Flamin’ Hot Cheetos with cheese. Unfortunately, at the time, Berenice had just lost both of her jobs due to the pandemic. And with only $12 in her pocket, a $3-snack was out of the question, even if it was her son’s favorite.
“It’s just $3, but when you have kids and you don’t have a job, it can make all the difference.”
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As an undocumented immigrant, Berenice also revealed that she didn’t have many laws to protect her.
“When I lost my jobs, I didn’t get a stimulus, I didn’t get unemployment. I was on my own, and I would stay up at night trying not to cry so my kids wouldn’t hear me. I wanted to sleep my life through.”
Eight-year-old Aaron decided to sell plants to help his mom who lost both of her jobs due to the pandemic…
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…and to be able to buy himself his favorite snack as well
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At that time, the family had to move from one homeless shelter to another. Eventually, Berenice ended up living in a tiny shed with Aaron and her two-year-old daughter Alani. Her financial struggles also left her with no choice but to send her eldest daughter, ten-year-old Ayleen, back to Mexico.
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The boy’s small startup eventually turned into a full-blown business, and he now runs his own plant shop, Aaron’s Garden
So, to help his mom and to get his hands on his favorite snack, Aaron came up with a plan. He used the last of his family’s funds to buy baby succulents which he then sold to their neighbors for a small profit. The boy’s plan was a success, and he got himself some Cheetos. More importantly, this made him realize that a small business could potentially provide his family with a better life.
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Aside from being a source of income, Aaron’s business also made it possible for his family to be reunited
He decided to launch his shop, Aaron’s Garden, on Instagram, and to continue selling more plants. The little boy’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed, and his business went viral in no time. Soon, additional help started pouring in as Berenice’s high school friend Esli set up a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for the family. The donations, which have reached over $68K to date, have helped the family secure a new apartment.
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During one of his pop-up events, he received a $1,000 donation from a kind man. So, he used this money to bring his sister Ayleen back to the US. And according to Berenice, this has been the “best part” of what Aaron has done for the family.
“It was so hard without her, and we are a whole family again. And I was so happy to see they still had their amazing bond even if they spent so much time apart. It’s such a blessing.”
Source: Aaron’s Garden