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.
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.
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.
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.
For more details about Lani Boo Bath, visit www.etsy.com/shop/LaniBooBath
-Tony Oluwatoyin Lawson aka @thebusyafrican
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