BIZ KID: Drew De Leon
COMPANY: Aktive Wrap
AGE: 11
WEBSITE: www.aktivewrap.com
TWITTER: @aktivewrap
I get a lot email from people asking my advice on different business topics. Sometimes my mom gets emails from parents of young entrepreneurs to compare parent stories or ask advice. That is how I met Drew and her family several months ago. I am always excited when I get to meet other bid kids even if it is just virtually. But in March, 2010, Drew and I both ended up being recognized by Dekoposh and got to speak onstage when they held a charity concert in Los Angeles to benefit Champions Against Bullying. It was really fun to meet in person. Because Drew has a product business, I chose her as the first person to interview and feature in my BIZKID 2 BIZKID section. *When did you start your business and how old were you?
I started my business in 2008 when I was nine years old.
What made you want to start Aktive Wrap?
I wanted to start Aktive Wrap because I wanted to start saving money for college and culinary school.
What is Aktive Wrap?
Aktive Wrap is a foam product sold on a roll, known as pre-wrap and you use it to hold your hair out of your eyes while you play any sportor when you do your favorite activities.
What is the weirdest story you have heard where Aktive Wrap has been used?
I’m not sure that I would call it a weird story, but I would call it cool that on St. Patrick’s Day at my school, everyone was using green Aktive Wrap in their hair and all over their bodies. Also I gave my whole school free tattoos with the logo of Aktive Wrap. Some boys got in trouble because they were wearing way too many tattoos all over their face.
Do you have any other products?
Yes, I have additional products. The first one is Quench Gum which is a flavorful, sour chewing gum that athletes love because it quenches your thirst. The second product is called the jumpers knee strap. This product is a knee band that you use when you have had or want to prevent from getting a knee injury.
What is it like being a young business person?
Being a young business person is a really cool thing because I’ve learned so much at such an early age like . . . counting money, placing orders of my product, taking orders on the phone or online, shipping boxes with Aktive Wrap, etc. I have my own website! That’s cool too.
What are your biggest accomplishments in business?
The biggest accomplishment in business I’ve made is overcoming shyness. I was really, really shy when I started my business. I would get so nervous talking to customers. Now I can talk to people, no problem. You need to trust yourself and be strong.
Do you have any other ideas or products to add to your business?
Some of my other ideas are adding more sports products to my inventory and website in the near future. Sports are on everybody’s mind!
If you had to pick just one thing, what is the most fun you have had with your business?
The most fun thing that I’ve done with my business was being able to advertise and sell my products to over 30,000 people/soccer fans in downtown Los Angeles at the world’s largest Soccer Nation Expo. I was the youngest exhibitor/CEO among hundreds of vendors from all over the United States.
What is the thing about your business that you like the least?
My least favorite thing about my business is not being able to drive when I have to ship orders, and I have to depend on my parents to give me rides all over town.
What do other kids your age think about your business? Have you had to deal with any negative things?
Other kids think that having my own business is cool because I am so young but so successful. I haven’t really had any negative things happen while I’ve had my business.
How do you manage business and school?
Well . . . it’s a little bit hard. School is my #1 priority. My family supports me with my business when I’m at school. When I get home from school, my parents brief me on the orders I got, then I’ll prepare the orders and ship them as soon as possible.
What do you do for fun?
For fun I like to cook, sing at school, church, choir, fairs, and of course I play soccer and hang out with my family. We take trips all over the world. Since my dad is in the Air Force, we get to fly on big cargo airplanes for free.
I know I have wanted to quit sometimes with my Pencil Bugs business. How do you keep going when you want to quit?
When I want to quit, I think of how successful I could become when doing my business and that always keeps me going.
Is there anything else that you would like to tell the readers that I haven’t asked already?
I also volunteer with Soldier’s Angels, a non-profit organization that supports the deployed troops by sending care packages overseas. Since my dad is in the Air Force and has been deployed before, I know what it’s like to have family at war.
You can find me on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, and my website www.aktivewrap.com.
For more information on BIZKID 2 BIZKID or if you know of a young entrepreneur that you would like to see featured, please visit PencilBugs.
