Maitland Youth Finds Success in Small Business

March 23rd
Report by Johnny Eskimo

Timmy McLaughlin of Scary Green Dinosaur Plumbing checks out a faulty toilet in DeBary.

Most toddlers at the age of one are quite active. They learn to walk, they start to eat "adult" foods, some even learn their first words and yell out "mommy" with great pride.

Timmy McLaughlin, 1, is a little bit different. Timmy, who lives in a Maitland Suburb, learned to walked at 5 months. His parents, local teacher Karen McLaughlin and plumber David McLaughlin were amazed.

"I couldn't believe he was taking his first steps at 5 months, I know parents always say that their kids grow up so fast, but come on!" Stated Karen.

Timmy wasn't done with his early development quite yet. At 6 months Timmy started to talk and at 6 1/2 months Timmy was tested by The Sylvan Learning Center in Longwood and the McLaughlin's realized their baby boy had the vocabulary of a 5th Grader.

At 8 months, Timmy insisted on riding with his dad to work.

"It was a little awkward to get to a job and be in the middle of a major plumbing repair and have to excuse myself to change my son's diaper." Stated David. "But I have to be honest, after watching me work for 2 months, Timmy could fix any plumbing problem known to man. The boys at the shop even made him a little tool belt and a shirt that says, "I might still crap my pants but I can fix your leak!".

Timmy worked with his dad until his 10 month birthday. At that point he decided to start his own business which he called, "Scary Green Dinosaur Plumbing". His mom acts as receptionist and drives Timmy to the different jobs around Central Florida.

"Timmy pays me in animal crackers." Mrs. McLaughlin laughed. "He may know everything about plumbing but he has no clue about money, he just does the work because he can't stand kiddie videos. Timmy makes everybody pay him in boxes of animal crackers."

Not everybody in the area is pleased with the added competition. Mark Sarnoff, General Manager of Pipes N' Stuff in Casselberry stated that he can't compete with a 1 year old that works for animal crackers.

"I can't pay my men in animal crackers, I can't pay my electric bill with animal crackers... I'm sure everybody thinks it's real cute but I am losing work. I have reported Timmy and his folks several times to law enforcement for breaking child labor laws but they just laugh... It turns out Timmy repaired Mayor Buddy Dyer's plumbing and he has everybody in local government in his tiny little back pocket!"