The Cooper household had seen its fair share of surprises, but John's recent business deal with Langston Whitmore had set a new record. A four-year-old had just secured a $20,000 investment—and he wasn't wasting any time.
Three days after signing the contract, John and his father pulled up to a vacant lot on the outskirts of Medford. The land wasn't much—just an open field with decent soil—but for John, it was the perfect place to launch his automated hydroponic system.
George Sr. stepped out of the truck, hands on his hips. "So, kid… explain to me again how this works?"
John adjusted his tiny glasses and pulled out his notebook. "Hydroponics is the practice of growing plants without soil. Instead, they absorb nutrients from a water-based solution. It's more efficient, produces higher yields, and isn't affected by droughts or bad soil."
George Sr. scratched his head. "Yeah, I still don't get it."
Georgie, who had tagged along for moral support (and to see if there'd be snacks), patted his dad's shoulder. "Don't worry, Dad. We don't have to understand it. We just have to nod and pretend we do."
John ignored them and continued, flipping to another page of his notebook. "With the investment money, I ordered the necessary equipment—PVC pipes, water pumps, nutrient solutions, and a greenhouse structure."
George Sr. whistled. "A whole damn greenhouse?"
"Yes," John said matter-of-factly. "Controlled environments lead to optimal production."
Georgie raised a hand. "Question! Can we grow, like, a ton of strawberries? Because I like strawberries."
John sighed. "We're starting with leafy greens and herbs—they grow the fastest and sell well. If this works, we can expand to fruit later."
George Sr. crossed his arms. "Alright, genius. You got the plan. How long before this thing starts makin' money?"
John flipped to another page in his notebook. "If we follow the growth cycle precisely, we should have our first harvest in six weeks."
George Sr. shook his head in disbelief. "I was drinking beer and watching football six weeks ago. You're tellin' me we'll have a whole farm running by then?"
John smirked. "Correct."
Saturday morning arrived, and John stood in front of their stall at the Medford Farmers' Market, surveying the crates of fresh, crisp lettuce, spinach, and basil.
Mary, ever the supportive mother and now visibly pregnant, adjusted the display to make it more inviting. "Alright, sweetie. Are you sure people will buy this?"
John nodded confidently. "Yes. Hydroponic produce is cleaner, fresher, and lasts longer than traditionally grown crops. We just need to educate the buyers."
George Sr. grumbled as he stacked another box. "Educate 'em? Kid, these people have been farming for generations. They don't take kindly to new-fangled ideas."
Sure enough, when the first few farmers passed by, they eyed John's setup with suspicion.
One older man with a thick mustache scratched his head. "Son, where's the dirt?"
John, ever prepared, gestured to a small informational pamphlet he had made. "We don't use soil. The plants get all their nutrients directly from the water, which means they grow faster and healthier."
The farmer narrowed his eyes. "No dirt, huh? That sounds… mighty strange."
Before John could respond, Georgie popped up beside him with a winning grin. "Hey, mister! Fun fact: NASA uses hydroponics in space! So technically, this is astronaut food."
The farmer blinked. "NASA, huh?"
John didn't miss a beat. "Yes. Hydroponics is the future of farming. It reduces water usage by up to 90% and eliminates the risk of soil-borne diseases."
The farmer rubbed his chin. "Well… I suppose I could try a bag of lettuce."
As soon as the first sale happened, others started to gather, curious about the soil-free method. Mary flashed John a proud smile as more and more customers bought the produce, some even taking extra pamphlets to read at home.
By the end of the day, they had made $850—not bad for a first-time seller in a skeptical market.
George Sr. counted the cash, shaking his head. "I gotta admit, kid… I thought people would laugh you outta here."
John smirked. "People don't reject good products. They just need the right explanation."
Georgie grinned and nudged John. "You sound like a young Lex Luthor."
John smirked. "I prefer Andrew Carnegie. But, sure."
Mary exhaled, resting a hand on her growing belly. "I can't believe this worked."
John, arms crossed, simply replied, "This is just the beginning."
While John was busy expanding his hydroponics business, his paintings were still making waves. Langston Whitmore had arranged for another auction, and to the Cooper family's absolute shock, John's artwork sold for a total of $78,000.
Back at home, George Sr. stared at the check, completely speechless.
Mary sat down on the couch, fanning herself. "I… I think I need to lie down."
Georgie, however, had other ideas. "HOLY CRAP, JOHN! You're like Scrooge McDuck! We need a money vault! Can we get a money vault?"
John, ever the realist, replied, "That would be highly inefficient."
Georgie ignored him. "Dude, we can finally buy a trampoline!"
John gave him a flat look. "That is not an investment."
Georgie threw up his hands. "See, this is why you need me as a business partner. Gotta have fun with the money!"
Mary, rubbing her belly, muttered, "I'd just like a few nights of sleep before this baby arrives."
George Sr., still holding the check, muttered, "I need another beer."
Later that night, John sat by his bedroom window, gazing out at the stars.
In just a few months, he had:
✔ Won a prestigious art competition
✔ Sold nearly $80,000 worth of paintings
✔ Launched a hydroponic business with a major investor
✔ Helped prepare for the arrival of a new sibling
And yet, he was only getting started.
Georgie flopped onto the bed beside him, munching on an apple. "Hey, genius. What's the next step?"
John smirked. "We scale up."
Georgie raised an eyebrow. "Meaning?"
John closed his notebook and looked at his brother. "Bigger investments. More land. More innovations."
Georgie grinned. "Dude, you're building an empire before you even start kindergarten."
John's smirk grew. "Exactly."
And with that, the future of John Cooper Enterprises was officially in motion.