Homeless 8-year-old turns $17 into $55k - and gives it to his mum

Homeless 8-year-old turns $17 into $55k - and gives it to his mum. Source: Instagram

A homeless 8-year-old boy – and budding entrepreneur – from Boyle Heights in the US has managed to raise US$40,325 (AU$55,213) for his family, after starting his own business earlier this year.

In July, Aaron started his plant business, Aaron’s Garden, initially selling just succulents. The plan was to make enough money to help his single mother, who was struggling financially, and to bring his 10-year-old sister back from Mexico.

Aaron, who’s Instagram account now boasts nearly 26,000 followers, was living in a small tool shed with his mother when he got the idea for his plant business.

The family had just US$12 left, which Aaron’s mother, Bernice Pacheco, gave to her son to invest in his business.

With the money, 8-year-old Aaron purchased eight miniature succulents, and sold them for $16. He continued to do this for months, turning a profit at each sale.

Within a week, Pacheco said Aaron had sold out of plants.

"People support us by buying plants, following us, leaving us good comments, and they tell us nice things to keep moving forward. It's what we need," she told NBC Los Angeles.

Since then, a family friend has started a GoFundMe on behalf of Aaron and his mother, which has to date raised US$40,325 (AU$55,213).

Esli Ramos, a high school friend of Aaron’s mother, said the plan was to use the donations to help the family rent a larger space, and bring Aaron’s little sister back from Mexico.

Just this month, the family confirmed that they finally “said bye” to the shed.

“The shed taught us to make the best of what we have even if it takes 4 people staying in one twin bed,” the family stated on GoFundMe.

“Where we kissed and hugged it out to go to sleep even if we were mad at each other, we had no option. The shed taught us that a home can be many things but a family remains one through thick and thin.”

Now, they are converting the new home’s shed into a workplace for Aaron’s Garden.

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