Launching a business is never an easy endeavour, but Meredith Murphy sees a lot of value in starting a business with her son. “It’s helped our relationship a lot, we’re much more communicative,” she says. “But again, [Noah] brings a lot of really great ideas to the table. “I get to see him in a different way. You know, he’s my son. He’s my best friend, but he’s also now my business partner.” Meredith and Noah Murphy, 14, came together to launch Murphy & Sonz, creating and selling handbags, tote bags, mini bags and merchandise. Their products are sewn together with thrifted materials as a way of cutting costs. “You’re working a lot of late nights and early mornings,” she says. “You just start making bags whenever you can.” But for her, it’s less about the bags. “That little idea can turn into something so powerful,” she says. “I want him to take that away … don’t let something feel too small.” Despite all the upfront costs that go toward creating a business, the duo has made it a mission to donate to local charities along the way. They’ve attended about 10 markets so far and are focused on finding new customers. While Noah is a part of an entrepreneurship club at school, he admits he never thought of going in on a business with his mom. “Not at all,” he says. “But now that I have started it, I really do want to follow through with being an entrepreneur. “I feel like it’s very fun. You can be super creative with all of your ideas.” And the experience has taught him communication skills along the way. When they first started going to markets, his mother would do a lot of the talking with customers, he says. “But as I started to get more involved in the environment, I felt like my articulation of my words really developed to be able to talk to the customers more clearly,” says Noah. Noah looks after the website creation and design, some social media, and is seeking out a new payment option. He’s also gaining life skills in banking and finances, which Meredith says are “areas that may get overlooked in school.” As for the future of the business, Noah’s mind is set. “I want us to still find products from thrift stores, I want some individuality and creativity in our choices,” he says. “I want us to come together with other people that have the similar ideas and just create a community of people that have the same ideas as us.” For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
