Seventh Grader With Dyspraxia Creates Attention-Grabbing Business

Milo Amundsen is full of ideas for new businesses. In fact, he’s already started a handful of them—and the seventh grader from Duluth, Minnesota, hasn’t even reached his teens. But his latest business is getting him nationwide attention.

Twelve-year-old Milo, who has dyspraxia, is CEO and “top dog” of Milo Enterprises, according to his business cards. But it’s specifically his Ad Cycle business that’s taken off this summer.

What’s Ad Cycle? Local businesses pay Milo to post advertisement signs on his bike. He then rides his bike around the hilly city.

In early July, Milo’s mom, Lucie Amundsen, helped get Ad Cycle up and running by posting a notice about it on Facebook. Clients have been rolling in ever since. Lucie says that Milo has 30 sponsors so far. They include Duluth clothing store DLH Clothing, the Duluth Children’s Museum, Duluth Barrel Works and designer and illustrator Matthew Olin, among others.

Milo’s story has gone viral, thanks in part to an interview he did on local TV and the NowThis video distribution network. And people as far away as Florida, Texas and Colorado have seen his story and are rooting for his success.

Milo’s business savvy would be impressive in any kid. But Milo has dyspraxia, which can make activities like riding a bike more difficult. “It’s a coordination disorder and it makes basic things a little bit harder for me,” he told local radio station KBJR.

Back when Milo was in first grade, his teacher noticed that he’d fall out of his chair if he concentrated too hard. In gym class, he couldn’t cross his arms while dancing the Macarena. His parents had him tested. At age 6, Milo was diagnosed with dyspraxia and dysgraphia.

Milo’s mom says he still struggles with tying his shoes. He didn’t actually learn to ride a bike well until he was 11. “I think it is rather clever that he’s monetized his physical therapy,” she adds.

It probably doesn’t hurt that Milo comes from a family of entrepreneurs. His parents, Jason and Lucie Amundsen, run the family business Locally Laid Egg Company. Milo says his dyspraxia makes it hard to handle and wash the eggs, though.

Milo’s own business is going so well that he recently hired his older sister Abbie as business manager. He didn’t even get discouraged when someone ripped off one of his signs. “You can’t keep a good entrepreneur down,” he posted on Facebook.

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