14-year-old Highland teen shows off entrepreneurial skills

(Noah Cahoon)


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HIGHLAND — 14-year-old Noah Cahoon is the CEO of his own company, Paper Box Pilots.

Paper Box Pilots is a toy company that creates stickers for children to decorate on cardboard boxes.

The idea came to Noah when he was just 6 years old.

“My Dad helped me make little cardboard boxes and showed me how airplanes worked," said Noah. "We had a really fun time flying around in our boxes."

But Noah saw more than just a cardboard box; Noah saw an business idea that would bring to life children's imaginations.

"When Noah was little he wanted to make it very realistic," said Noah's father, Brian. "He would have me draw little dials and gauges on there."

Brian told his 6-year-old son that he could build a business out of it. Noah was excited about that idea.

Brian waited a few years before he assisted Noah in his business venture. It all started when Noah wanted money to buy a skateboard.

Noah and Brian Cahoon were selected to compete on ABC's 'Shark Tank,' a TV show where entrepreneurs compete for investors support. (Photo: Nick Cahoon)
Noah and Brian Cahoon were selected to compete on ABC's 'Shark Tank,' a TV show where entrepreneurs compete for investors support. (Photo: Nick Cahoon)

"I said, 'Well, you need to earn money,'" said Brian.

From there, Brian says it was both a business and learning opportunity for Noah.

“We never set out for this to be purely financially driven. We set out for it to be a learning experience for him,” said Brian.

However, Noah has seen a lot of success in his startup company, including financial. The father-son duo even made it to ABC’s "Shark Tank," cutting a deal with one of the show’s investors.

“We got an offer for $35,000 from Kevin O’Leary,” said Brian.

O’Leary is a judge and an entrepreneur and on the show.

Noah says the experience, along with all the other aspects of running a business, has taught him a lot of lessons about business and life.

Noah Cahoon first thought of his company Paper Box Pilots at six years old.
Noah Cahoon first thought of his company Paper Box Pilots at six years old.

“I think I’ve grown a lot in my knowledge about business and how things work in the business world. It’s given me a much greater chance in building a business again because I know how it works and I know more than an average teenage boy would,” said Noah. “It’s helped me in school. In math, I think, ‘How does this apply to work?’ I really changed me, helped me grow up and learn how to manage money.”

Brian says it’s been fun to see his son’s business grow.

“I’m very proud of Noah,” said Brian. “ Everyone looks at him and thinks of all the success. People assume he’s a millionaire, but I’m proud of Noah because I know all the work that’s gone in.”

Noah says Paper Box Pilots is just the beginning of his business ventures. In addition to keeping up with school, sports and his business, Noah says he has other ideas up his sleeve.

“I definitely see myself as an entrepreneur now,” said Noah. “When we started the business, it became more clear to me that this is something that I want to do down the road.”

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Jen Jacobson

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