By Margo Greenman
There are many ways for kids to earn money and learn the value of the all mighty dollar. Whether slinging hamburgers in high school or mowing lawns during summer break, youngsters are always finding creative ways to make a couple extra bucks. Olympia residents and brothers, Spencer and Ben Rex, are a great example of this, and their first “job” may surprise you.
It all started one evening when a family friend, David Postman, came over for dinner at Spencer and Ben’s parents’ house. The boys’ parents, Peter Rex and Ann Flannigan, were chatting with David and his wife when a story about a recent sale David had made on eBay piqued Spencer and Ben’s interest.
The item sold was a vintage motorcycle helmet David had purchased while scavenging garage and rummage sales one weekend. David purchased the helmet for $2, but sold it for quite a bit more – several hundred dollars more, to be precise.
Spencer and Ben, then 11- and 10-years-old, were fascinated about David’s find and asked him if they could tag along with him during one of his Saturday morning “hunts.” Excited to share his hobby with the boys, the three set out the following Saturday.
“Our first day was great,” says now 14-year-old Spencer. “The first day we went out, we went to a sale on Black Lake and found this old electric guitar pickup. We ended up selling it for $375.”
Ever since their first find three years ago, the brothers always look forward to their Saturday mornings with David and are eager to find out what they’ll discover next.
But, while hunting for treasures has become a hobby for Spencer and Ben, it’s not all just fun and games. While the brothers have a great time searching for antiques and collectible items with David each Saturday, there’s a lot of time, research and hard work that goes in to running a successful eBay business.
“It means giving up your weekends,” explains Spencer. “We do a ton of research. We take photos. We work hard on the descriptions. We have to package our items so that they don’t break in the mail. It’s very hard.” Soon-to-be 13-year-old Ben adds, “It’s a job. It takes effort and time.”
Spencer and Ben’s mentor and business partner, David, couldn’t agree more. David, who has been collecting antiques for, well, as long as he can remember, says it takes a special kind of person to take the time to research, clean and repair the collectibles, then advertise them online and answer questions. “It’s not necessarily easy,” he says. “A lot of people don’t want to do it.” But that’s just not the case for young Spencer and Ben.
What do mom and dad think of their son’s success? They couldn’t be more proud. “They’ve learned about writing, accuracy, photography, history, fashion, research, money management and so much more as a result of this partnership,” explains Ann. “My one contribution to the ‘company,’” she continues, “was to suggest early on that 10 percent of their sales go to charity. [I] wanted to teach them about how the better we do in life, the more we can and should share with others.”
Since Spencer and Ben started selling on eBay three years ago, they have donated 10 percent of their annual profit to a charity of their choice. And, because Spencer and Ben get better at their job each year, each year the checks get bigger.
In the past they have donated to Seattle Children’s Hospital and Wounded Warriors, but this year they decided to put their hard-earned dollars back into the Thurston County community by presenting a $525 check to Community Youth Services (CYS). “This [donation] will help people in our city, at our school, and in our neighborhood,” explains Spencer.
And Community Youth Services couldn’t be more thrilled about the generosity of these two boys.
“Most kids in our community grow up in safe, loving supportive homes. But there are lots that don’t, “ explains Community Youth Services CEO, Charles Shelan. “The nice thing about these two young men who are helping us today is that they are showing empathy and compassion for those who have less. We cannot do this job ourselves. We need the community. And when we are able to then bring young people into the fold to help, that sends an even greater message. And for that, we certainly appreciate this donation.”
As for what’s next? Spencer and Ben plan to continue their Saturday mornings with David, finding antiques and collectibles, selling them on eBay, and sharing their profit with charities doing good things for the community. Whether they’ll still be at it 30 years from now? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: Spencer and Ben understand the value of the mighty dollar, and what it means to share the wealth.
