Children are often quite good at being consumers. If you are a parent with a small business, you have the opportunity to show your children firsthand what it means to be a producer. Small Business Saturday, which takes place on November 30 this year, could be a good opportunity to do just that.

Founded by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday encourages consumers to patronize their local stores as a way to keep dollars flowing within their community.

Here are three reasons why you should consider getting your kids involved in Small Business Saturday, according to two mompreneurs.

Ronne Brown is the owner of HERLISTIC, an herbal beauty and feminine care brand in Washington, DC. She has participated in Small Business Saturday since establishing her business in 2020.

The entrepreneur gets his kids (ages 24, 18 and 12) plus his bonus daughter, 10, to help out at Small Business Saturday and beyond. Brown’s children help with customer service, shipping and delivery tasks. It may include inventory counting, quality control or packing cases.

“I just want them to understand the price and the value of a dollar and what it actually costs to do that,” Brown says.

The mompreneur also hopes her children learn the benefits of dedication and hard work.

“What I want to show them is that you have to work hard every day. And there are going to be moments when you’re going to be tired, you’re going to be exhausted and you’re not going to want to do things, and you’re going to have to push through,” she says.

Hiring your kids to do legitimate work during Small Business Saturday gives them a chance to learn the pillars needed for a strong financial foundation: earn money, save money and invest. That said, before employing children, it’s important to understand the child labor laws of your state in addition to the IRS rules for employing children.

Brown says she pays all her children, including her 24-year-old son who is on the payroll. In addition, she teaches them about investing in the stock market.

“I want them to understand the importance of earning money, but also investing the money they earn,” she says. “Because when I pay them, I always ask them, ‘so what are you going to do to double this money?’

If you employ your minor children, they can get a head start on investing by putting part of their income into a custodial Roth IRAwhich requires earned income to open. You can also open them a custodial brokerage account.

Another benefit of having your children earn income by working for you is that they may be exempt from paying federal income tax if they earn less than standard deduction. In 2024, that threshold is $14,600.

Allowing your children to lend a helping hand, whether it’s administrative tasks or assisting customers, can ensure you keep up with a potential increase in sales.

Lisset Tresvant, owner of Glow Esthetics Spa in Hollywood, Florida, has participated in Small Business Saturday since the inception of her business in 2019.

“I tend to sell more because people are usually more likely to buy because of the sale, and that gives them a reason to support us,” she says.

To help with demand, Tresvant’s daughter, 12, and son, 9, fill their skin care products, add labels and help prepare items for shipping.

Tresvant says she decided to get her children involved in her business so they would have a better understanding of what she does.

Looking beyond Small Business Saturday, employing your child can also help succession planningwhich is about planning for your departure from your business. Tresvant hopes to pass his on to his children one day.

“They understand that I’m building this legacy not just for myself, but for them as well,” Tresvant says.