Parker's Pucks is a first grader's business that helps kids play sports

A seven-year-old entrepreneur from Tecumseh channeled his love for hockey and passion for "selling stuff" to start a hockey puck business that also helps underprivileged kids play the game.

"I play hockey on the ice, I play hockey in the driveway, I play hockey in the garage, I even play mini-sticks down stairs in the basement," said Parker Sheehan. 

It's that passion for hockey that led the Grade 1 student to start his own business. 

"I came home from my dad's house with a lemonade stand so my mom was like, 'Hey Parker, it's the middle of winter so why don't you come up with something else,'" explained Sheehan. 

After some brainstorming with his mom he came up with Parker's Pucks. 

"I really wanted to encourage him that if he has an idea we can make it come to life," said Kaitlyn Sheehan. 

So, she asked him to sketch out a logo of what his vision was for a company that sold pucks. 

He ended up drawing the image of an angry puck playing hockey. 

"I drew a logo," said Parker Sheehan. "It has an angry face, it has a little stick ... it has mean looking eyes."

Since her son was so passionate about the idea, Kaitlyn Sheehan decided to look into the cost of getting the pucks made with Parker's logo on them. 

"Every day he woke up and asked me 'Mom, when are the pucks coming? When are the pucks going to be here?'" she said.

The Parker Pucks website launched about a week ago, where people can choose to order from one to 100 pucks.  

A few orders have already been placed. 

Helping other kids play hockey 

Kaitlyn Sheehan and her son decided to donate 20 per cent of the money made from each puck to the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Foundation. 

"I just thought of my own situation, I had Parker when I was 17 and I always wanted to give him every opportunity to try every single different sport," said Kaitlyn Sheehan. "Sports are expensive, especially hockey and all the equipment." 

She thought this was a good opportunity to teach her son about the importance of giving back and helping other kids has the same opportunities he does. 

"The money is going to underprivileged kids that can't play hockey," said Parker Sheehan, who recently found out he made the travel team for his division.

Learning about life, business 

Kaitlyn Sheehan said she wanted to teach her son about things in building a business that students don't learn in school, especially at his age. 

"About customer relationships with people, about money, about profits and costs, and donation and percentages, all really important business skills," she said. 

Since her started the project, Kaitlyn Sheehan said she has seen a boost in his confidence. 

"Because it was his idea an he's actually seeing it come to life, I've noticed he's been a lot more comfortable approaching people, talking to people, even with his public speaking ... I've seen a huge improvement in him," she said.

Kaitlyn Sheehan said she also hopes her son learns a few life lessons as well. 

"In life, I wanted to teach him to be grateful for what you have and to really help others along the way. Whatever ever you give you'll get some in return," she said.