‘Kidpreneurs’ show it’s never too early to build a business

It all starts with a good idea and the determination to act. From making and selling beaded accessories, popcorn, and candyfloss to trading used clothes, capturing online content, or working as a DJ, “kidpreneurs” demonstrate the power of proactivity and self-belief.

Making and selling customised beaded accessories mainly in the form of bracelets and phone charms, brother and sister team Jayden and Cami Myers started their business BEADazzled in February 2022. Now 14 and 12 respectively, the siblings love collaborating with clients to create bespoke pieces.

Initially asking her mother, Nadine, for beads and letters to bead for fun, Cami made her parents bracelets that said, “best mom” and “best dad”, which became treasured gifts. “Jayden then joined in on the hobby, and they made bracelets for all our family and family friends and sold them for really cheap,” says Nadine. The products were a hit, and people increasingly asked for more to give as gifts to friends.

Jayden, who exhibited entrepreneurial flair from the age of seven, decided it would be a good idea to start a beading business. “When I saw how passionate and committed they both were to completing orders, I backed them 100% and helped get the word out on social media,” says Nadine.

Though Nadine financed the initial bead supply, the kids soon were able to buy stock with their earnings. BEADazzled has grown at markets and through the online marketing channels that Nadine manages.

“I love making up orders and seeing how the designs turn out from the beads and colours people choose,” says Cami. “The best part is selling at markets, because although we wonder who would want to buy something made by a kid, people love what we do. When we make a sale, especially to an adult who orders for themself, it makes us believe in ourselves and know that we have a successful business.”

From selling biscuits to his mother’s co-workers to negotiating payment for chores, Levi Smith, now 11, was always looking for ways to make money. Yet starting his current venture, Tasty Treats by Levi, wasn’t his original plan. “At the beginning of 2022, Levi sold our leftover building bricks to our neighbour, who was also building,” recalls his mother, Chaya. “He used that money to buy a mini candy floss machine from Takealot for fun.”

Levi later chatted to his uncle about getting an industrial machine which his uncle and parents financed, and his candy floss business was born. “He started small at a cousin’s birthday party and his first proper function was a Purim party at Sunny Road Shul,” says Chaya. After a few events, he repaid his parents and uncle, and later bought an economical popcorn machine. And so, Tasty Treats by Levi was born.

Having grown by word of mouth, the business now caters for Barmitzvahs and Batmitzvahs, birthday parties, school market days, and Jewish holiday events. “We feel it’s important to encourage extracurricular activities and not just focus on academics,” says Chaya.

“Running my own business is important because when I want something, I don’t have to rely on my parents so much,” says Levi. “I’m busy saving for a ticket to London in November for my cousin’s Barmitzvah.”

Earning his own money and making people happy was also a drawcard for Zack Tobias, who began to work as a DJ professionally at the age of 14. Having developed a love of music at the age of nine when he began playing the saxophone in the King David Music programme, Zack soon found that his passion lay in being a DJ. At the age of 14, he began to DJ professionally.

“My parents supported the idea after seeing my talent, and they invested in my first bundle of equipment,” says Zack, who at 23, is now an in-demand DJ at a range of functions including matric dances and Barmitzvahs and Batmitzvahs. “My mom, Kim, used to schlep me to all the gigs I booked and got the reputation of being my ‘momager’.”

The son of two entrepreneurial parents, Zack came from a home where a business mindset was always encouraged. Seeking to educate himself before going live, he completed an extensive DJ course. “If a passion becomes a business, it doesn’t feel like work,” he says. “I always had a natural gift and worked hard to turn it into a profitable business.” Networking through the community, Zack soon became known for his pop-music remixes and ability to read his audience.

“My husband and I encouraged Zack to follow his dreams,” says Kim. “We feel our kids need to know how to earn their own money and look after it.” Reflecting on what he’s gained through his early start, Zack says, “I’ve matured profoundly by starting a business at a young age, and this has allowed me to use this knowledge in my future career.”

Now in matric, Chloe Zindel has run her own small, profitable businesses for years. From making and selling hair scrunchies in primary school to starting Yaga, an online second-hand clothing platform at 14, she’s always been motivated to work. “I was never spoiled with materialistic things like a lot of my peers,” she says. Chloe knew she had to make her own money to cover the costs of “nice-to-haves” including beauty and hair treatments and extra clothes.

She dedicated increasing time to Yaga during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep busy and increase her earnings. Chloe later developed a concept called “I will hold your phone”, in which she takes behind-the-scenes content, video, reels, and produces TikToks for private people and corporates on photo shoots. Chloe’s businesses have largely evolved from her involvement in Boost Gymwear, her mother, Anthea’s, fitness-apparel brand.

“For me, it’s always been important to be a working and financially independent woman,” says Anthea. “That’s what my daughter has always known. I hope that I have inspired her to be the same one day.”