kidpreneur Archives - SHOPPE BLACK

Published on January 28, 2021January 28, 2021

3 mins read

Teen Entrepreneur Creates a Product to Help Facilitate Safer Traffic Stops

David Price is the 19 year old creator of The Safety Pouch, a tool to help facilitate interactions between civilians and police.

The fluorescent orange pouch holds vehicle documents and identification in one place and clips on to the exterior window to minimize the amount of movement within the vehicle and keeping hands visible at all times.

David, a sophomore at Loyola University in New Orleans, created The Safety Pouch during his Freshman year. We caught up with David to find out more about his business.

David Price, creator of The Safety Pouch | Photo credit: DOUG MacCASH

What inspired you to create The Safety Pouch.

The biggest thing that inspired me to create The Safety Pouch was having “The Talk” with my parents when I first started driving. I knew I had to develop some kind of product that would help facilitate safer traffic stop interactions between Black drivers and law-enforcement. That’s when I came up with the concept.

What are the biggest advantages and biggest challenges you feel you might have as a teen entrepreneur?

The most significant advantage I have is that more people are willing to help support me. It is also easier for me to network with people because many people tend to want to mentor younger people since we are more malleable.

The biggest downside is that some people often do not take teen entrepreneurs seriously. I am forced to have to prove myself and how much I know at times.

What are your future goals as an entrepreneur?

My biggest goal is to continue to innovate and grow my business with the focus of making the world a safer place.

What advice do you have for other young entrepreneurs?

Network Network Network! Always connect with as many people as you can. You never know what opportunities can emerge from those connections or who those people could be connected to. Always take advantage of making connections and partnerships with people or companies.

Tony O. Lawson

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Published on June 28, 2020December 2, 2020

2 mins read

12 Year-Old Vegan Chef Omari McQueen to Release First Cookbook

Vegan chef Omari McQueen—who is only 12 years old—will publish his first cookbook in January 2021. Omari McQueen’s Best Bites Cookbook will feature 30 easy-to-make plant-based recipes crafted by the young chef. “I don’t want animals to die or be eaten so I teach people my age to be vegan,”

McQueen, who went vegan at the age of 7, said in a recent mini-documentary. McQueen created his own vegan brand Dipalicious at eight years old after starting a YouTube channel where he filmed himself making a vegan pizza served with his own Caribbean Kick dip. Last year, McQueen hosted a Dipalcious pop-up restaurant in Croydon, United Kingdom, where he served a variety of vegan Caribbean-inspired fare.

The book will be published by media brand Scholastic UK, which acquired world publishing rights from literary agent Oscar Janson-Smith at Kruger Crowne. “Omari McQueen is inspirational. At just 12 years old, he has achieved so much.

His passion for food and cooking is irresistible,” Scholastic UK Publishing Manager Leah James said. “Children everywhere have been busy learning to cook during lockdown; we can’t wait for Omari to share his recipes, tips, and enthusiasm with a generation of children and their families. Omari is leading a new generation of ethical minded foodies into a more sustainable future.”

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A post shared by DIPALICIOUS (@dipaliciousltd)

McQueen took to Instagram to thank all of his supporters for making his new cookbook possible. “I would like to thank everyone for all your love, support, and encouragement. I would also like to say thank you to the one and only @oscarjansonsmith you have had my back for years, you believed in me from the beginning and @krugercowne, @scholastic_uk for giving me a chance to share my passion to the world,” McQueen said. “Mummy and daddy, you’re the best a boy like me could have. Thank you to my siblings and family for being you—perfect 100 percent.”

Source: VegNews

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Published on February 28, 2019March 18, 2019

4 mins read

Meet The 3 Brothers Who Created Their Own Candle Brand

Fréres Branchiaux Candle Company is a handmade body, candle, and home fragrance goods company created by brothers Collin, Ryan, and Austin Gill.

We caught up with the brothers to find out more about them and their business.

Collin, Austin and Ryan Gill

How did you decide to start this business?

We love watching Nerf videos on Youtube. We wanted to create our own Nerf was YouTube channel. We asked our mom for more money for Nerf guns (Ryan and Austin) and for PS4 games (Collin). She said “no” and told us to “get a job or start a business.” So, we decided to start a business! We also decided to give back to the community by donating 10% of our proceeds to homeless shelters in the DC Metro area.

How do you select what fragrances and designs to use?

We get samples of fragrances that we think we might like and we mix them. We usually mix 2 to 3 fragrances to create new scents. We are candle mixologists! Our mom (Celena Gill) is in control of the designs on the candles, diffusers, and room sprays. She used to do the designs when we first started but now we have a graphic designer. Our mom shows us new designs and we approve them–or reject them–to put on the products.

Candle Brand

What part of being a business owner do you like the most? What part do you like the least?

We like making our own money and deciding how we are going to spend it. We love traveling to new places to vend and meet new people. There’s not really anything that we don’t like about being business owners.

What is it like working with your brothers?

It is fun most of the time–but it can be aggravating too. Sometimes, we want to hang with our friends and not just be around each other. Since we are homeschooled, we are around each other ALL OF THE TIME. So, every now and then, we need a break–and then we’re fine!

Do you have an adult that you are getting support from? What type of support?

Yes, we get support from our mom and dad. Mom handles all of the appointments, bills, vending, marketing, and design. Dad (Patrick Gill) is our official driver, organizes and sets up our vending tables/booths, and helps mom organize the candles for shipping and for special events.

Does each person have a different role or you all share the same responsibilities?

We have different roles and responsibilities. Collin is the CEO. He is the chief candlemaker and usually leads us during production and at events. He is our official spokesperson. Ryan is our Chief Financial Officer. He keeps track of our finances with mom, takes care of the money at events, and sets our financial goals for each show.

Austin, better known as Ace, is our Chief Marketing Officer. He wicks and cleans the candles. He is also our “face” when we go out in public–he knows how to bring customers in with his smile! We all work together to make Freres Branchiaux Candle Co. successful!

Website: Fréres Branchiaux Candle Company

-Tony Oluwatoyin LAwson (IG@thebusyafrican)

Published on February 26, 2019February 26, 2019

3 mins read

11 Year Old Boy Lands Book Deal About Crocheting After His Creations Go Viral

In July, Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based KWiL Publishing will publish Hello, Crochet Friends! Making Art, Being Mindful, Giving Back: Do What Makes You Happy by a debut author: 11-year-old Jonah Larson. This is proof that while writing a viral article can lead to a book deal, but so can being the subject of one. That’s exactly what happened after a January 2019 La Crosse Tribune article about Larson’s crochet skills went viral, breaking traffic records at the newspaper’s website.

The article detailed how Larson, who was adopted from Ethiopia, taught himself to crochet at age five by watching YouTube videos, and now creates blankets, table runners and mittens which he sells as part of his business, Jonah’s Hands. According to National Public Radio, “Jonah regularly donates some of his goods and money to the Ethiopian orphanage from which he was adopted as an infant.” The young crochet enthusiast also maintains a popular Instagram account, which currently has over 119,000 followers, where he’s crocheted with Senator Tammy Baldwin, among others. Larson also has over 19,000 followers on YouTube. Response to the initial article led to media coverage on “Good Morning America” and other national outlets; the crochet wunderkind was so inundated with requests he had to turn down “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”

The book, which will be co-authored by the crochet prodigy’s mother, Jennifer Larson, with photos by Erin Harris, will mark the debut of KWiL Publishing’s Rock Star Kids imprint, a “collection of picture book autobiographies that include extensive, engaging back matter and are authored by kids who are doing incredible things with their lives.”

According to KWiL Publishing Founder and President/Publisher Abby Nies Janowiec, the deal came about quickly after she heard about Jonah’s crocheting talents through social media. “I contacted Jonah’s mother, Jennifer, on Saturday, February 9th,” Janowiec said in an interview. “At that time, she had also been contacted by several much larger publishing houses. She accepted my offer to submit a book proposal, and by the following Tuesday we had signed an agreement to publish Hello, Crochet Friends! Jennifer shared with me her desire to work with a publisher in Wisconsin, and we had a very similar vision for the book.”

The book will cover everything from the act of crocheting to its impact on the broader community. The publisher’s website detailing the contents reads in part, “Jonah welcomes readers into his process, sharing everything from his preferred crocheting atmosphere―end of sofa, lights dimmed, close to his mom―to his favorite stitches and yarns. How can Jonah crochet so quickly? He writes, ‘It’s like breathing to me.’”

Source: Forbes

Published on February 6, 2019December 28, 2020

3 mins read

11 year old Jonah Larson is a Crocheting Prodigy

Jonah Larson taught himself how to crochet at age 5 by watching YouTube videos. Now 11, he has been described as a “crocheting prodigy.” He has his own crochet business, called Jonah’s Hands, based out of his home in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Jonah Larson

Crocheting has also made him a social media star — but he doesn’t do it for fame. Jonah has more than 46,000 followers on Instagram, where he sells his goods.

“After a very hard, busy, chaotic day in this busy world with school, it’s just nice to know that I can come home and crochet in my little corner of the house while sitting by the one I love most: my mom,” Jonah tells NPR.

He tells NPR his most difficult design was crocheting a blanket with 800 plush flowers on it.

Jonah regularly donates some of his goods and money to the Ethiopian orphanage from which he was adopted as an infant.

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A post shared by Jonah’s Hands (@jonahhands)

His mother, Jennifer Larson, doesn’t crochet, but she does run his Instagram account and has joined a few Facebook crocheting groups on his behalf. It’s up to Jonah, she says, to decide what he does with the profits.

“I don’t buy his yarn for him. He buys his own yarn from the profits he makes from selling,” she says. “He saves some money, he’s investing some money and he donates as well. So those are things I think are important in life for adults to do, and I’m glad that he can learn that at an early age.”

The crocheting community has responded positively as well, and a few people even sent him custom hooks.

“I hope people gain from seeing my work is it makes them happy too,” Jonah says. “When I see my crochet work when it’s done, it blows my mind to know that I, an 11-year-old with a tiny hook and a ball of yarn, made this amazing afghan, scarf, cowl, you name it.”

Jonah Larson

After an article was published about him in a local paper last month, his story went viral. Jonah now has over 2,500 orders and has temporarily stopped taking new requests.

His next goals: attending a crochet summer camp, attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and then becoming a surgeon.

Source: NPR

You can visit Jonah’s website here.

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Published on June 20, 2017June 22, 2020

6 mins read

This 9yr Old Kidpreneur Has Built a Bath Bomb Business

Lani Boo Bath is a business that uses natural ingredients to make Bath Bomb ‘s. What’s different about this particular business is that the entrepreneur that created it is only 9 years old!

You know we had to find out more about Jelani Jones of Fredericksburg, Virginia. We chatted with her and her mother, Crystal to learn more.

Jelani and some of her products (Photo Credit: Terri Baskin)

SB: Why did you decide to make bath bombs?

Jelani: One day I went to a class at Ms. Christi’s (who is now my mentor) shop. I enjoyed making bath bombs so much that I actually started a business making them. Her class was something that I looked forward to doing for a while .

SB: How did you know Jelani had what it takes to be an entrepreneur?

Crystal (Mom): Jelani is not afraid to put herself out there. She is very confident and savvy with her money. Since she was a toddler, she’s always asserted herself and has always had her own way of doing things.

Her asserting herself was frustrating for me because it felt like defiance.

My friend telling me that she was displaying characteristics of a leader helped me to be more flexible in the way I parented her…. and less frustrated I still tell myself “give her options”.

SB: What is the most fun part of making your products?

Jelani: I love being able to feel the texture of the bath bomb mix. And I like to mix all the ingredients together . It’s so satisfying ! And the soaps,I like putting all the oils and butter into the crockpot and feeling the moisture!

SB: How do balance school and your business?

Jelani: Now I’m on summer break . But when I’m not on summer break I pick days to tend to my business and make bath bombs . I also do all my homework in study hall .

SB: In what ways are you nurturing Jelani’s interest in entrepreneurship?

Crystal (Mom): My husband and I try to keep Lani around good people.

We also support her and let her know that she can do whatever she wants if she puts the time and effort into it (as we tell all our kids).

She has good friends that she loves who are also entrepreneurs.

Jelani and the fam (Photo Credit: Terri Baskin)

Lani is in a program called ShEO founded by DeShawn Robinson-Chew. Its a coaching program for girls her age up to 18.

They learn about business plans, developing goals for their business, profit/loss, and they have monthly masterminds and individual coaching sessions.

I also keep her connected with her mentor Christi Carter of Emerald Bee Bath. Christi is amazing and helps her w the crafting, wholesale product and business side of things.

Our own friends have gone above and beyond in supporting Lani also….. We stress the fact that it takes a village.

Lastly, Lani sees that my husband and I are passionate about our own businesses. I think children feed off of passion. She’s sat w her dad in court and she has helped me at my office as well.

We model it a love for what we do and flexibility that comes with entrepreneurship.

SB: How do you like to relax when you aren’t working on business or schoolwork?

Jelani: I’m so glad you asked that! Sometimes I have self care Sundays where I enjoy some of my bath bombs and put green tea in my bath. I know what you’re thinking what’s next sugar and honey?!

I also love to hang out with my best friends Kyndal and Destinee who also have businesses named D’s Tees and Kindles Kandles. Or I’ll play outside with my next door neighbor. I also like going shopping for new cute clothes.

Lots of times I’ll go to sleep for a long time because after I get all my orders ready I get tired. Sometimes I watch television.

My favorite shows are Sister Sister, Moesha, Everybody Hates Chris, all shows Disney channel, and A Different World. I enjoy all of those things.

SB: Are there any other products you would like to learn how to make?

Jelani: I would love to make moisturizing body butters that will be healthier on peoples skin than store bought lotion . I’d also like to make exfoliating sugar scrubs that get the dead skin off of your body still without chemicals being put on your body.

For more details about Lani Boo Bath, visit www.etsy.com/shop/LaniBooBath

-Tony Oluwatoyin Lawson aka @thebusyafrican

Published on December 14, 2016April 19, 2021

2 mins read

Businesses and Organizations Owned by Black Children

We love discovering new businesses, especially those owned by brilliant Black children! Some of these kids are barely of driving age and are already OG’s in the business game.

Congrats to them and kudos to the parents and other adults that are providing them with guidance and support.

Businesses and Organizations Owned by Black Children

Gabrielle Goodwin is thePresident and CEO of GaBBY Bows, a hair accessory business that adds a unique twist to the classic barrette.

Essynce Moore is the owner of a clothing line branded Essynce Couture, LLC.

Black Children

Marley Dias is the creator of the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign. She was inspired to create the campaign because of the lack of diversity in the books she was reading at school.

Black Children

Zandra Azariah Cunningham is the founder of the beauty brand, Zandra Beauty.

Cory Nieves, also known as “Mr. Cory” is the founder and CEO of an all-natural cookie company called Mr. Cory’s Cookies.

Black Children

Angels and Tomboys is a beauty and bodycare company for ‘tween’ and teen girls created by siblings, Madison Star and Mallory Iyana.

Maya Penn is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, animator, artist, and the CEO of her eco-friendly fashion company Maya’s Ideas.

Black Children

Mikaila Ulmer is the founder and CEO of the natural beverage brand, BeeSweet Lemonade.

Moziah “Mo” Bridges is the CEO of the handmade bow tie compay, Mo’s Bows.

Kierra Perkins is the founder of the candle company, Kandles by Kierra.

Christopher J. Suggs started Kinston Teens as an effort to amplify the voices of all of the youth and to create civic engagement and community service opportunities for his peers in his home city of Kinston, NC.