What would you do if your $20 million business went bankrupt the same year you got married? For the first time in 40 years, Steve Acorn hands the mic to his whole family. His wife Sara, son Michael, and daughter Laura sit down with guest host Jay Wong to tell the real story behind Young Entrepreneurs Across America and Student Painters. They go back to 1987 and the move from Canada, the $20 million company that collapsed, and the humbling restart with 13 managers and a newborn at home. Steve picked up a paintbrush again at 36. They refused to let a single manager go unpaid. And now the next generation is launching Acorn Pro Painting. Miss this one, and you miss the lessons most founders learn the hard way, straight from a family that lived every one. Listen now. Timestamped Highlights 3:23 – What growing up Acorn really drills into you (hint: nobody hands you anything) 4:37 – Steve's famous saying about winning his kids will never forget 7:15 – The one question in 1987 that sent Steve across the border 10:53 – How a $20 million company quietly ran out of cash 13:43 – 2 a.m., the lights come up, and seven partners shake hands for the last time 19:50 – Buying ladder racks at 36: the restart nobody saw coming 21:14 – Soaking wet in the rain, Steve looks up and asks God one question 25:47 – Selling credit cards on campus to fund the company that just went bankrupt 44:46 – The exact number Michael set to beat his dad (and the math behind it) 1:00:05 – The new venture the family just launched for everyone over 22 About the Guest Steve Acorn is the Founder and CEO of Young Entrepreneurs Across America and President of Student Painters. In 1987, he moved from Sarnia, Ontario to launch AAA Student Painters in the United States. After the company went bankrupt in 1999, he and his wife Sara rebuilt it from 13 managers into the nationwide program it is today, 40 years and counting. Sara, Steve's wife and co-founder, joined the company in 1993 as a payroll manager for the Indiana division and has run the office and back-end side of the business ever since. She and Steve married in 1998, rebuilt the company together after the bankruptcy, and she has been by his side for 34 summers. Aaron Acorn, Steve's son and Sara's stepson, grew up immersed in the family business and its entrepreneurial culture. In 2008, as a Branch Manager, gaining firsthand experience in the business. Today, Aaron serves as President of the Michigan and New England Divisions of Student Painters, continuing the family's legacy of entrepreneurship, leadership, and developing the next generation of business owners. Although Aaron is not joining us for this conversation, his leadership and contributions remain an important part of the Acorn family's business story. Michael, Steve and Sara's son, grew up in the business, built and sold a lawn care company in high school, then ran a Student Painters branch as a rookie and hit $132,000. He is the founder of Acorn Pro Painting, a new painting franchise that extends the Acorn model to entrepreneurs of any age. Laura, Steve and Sara's daughter, grew up in the business and followed her mother onto the office side, working across divisions from payroll and administration to marketing and PR, and training the interns who come through. Resources & Links Mentioned Acorn Pro Painting Student Painters Sherwin-Williams AvidXchange CEO Coaching International (Mark Moses) Important Links Gain real-world business experience, build leadership skills, and create a foundation for future success: YEAA Website Watch our case study: Leaders Across America Find more success stories here: Our Alumni Connect with Steve: LinkedIn: Steve Acorn Instagram: @steveacornyeaa Leaders Across America is an original podcast brought to you by Steve Acorn. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.
