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BIZKID 2 BIZKID (#8) – Samantha Fernandez
July 01st, 2010 | Author: Pencil Bugs

BIZ KID: Samantha Fernandez

BUSINESS: Pick-A-Pick/Travelin’ Tunes

AGE: 16

WEBSITE: www.wix.com/pickapick/pickapick

Who would have thought that you could take guitar picks and turn them into jewelry? That’s exactly what 16-year-old Samantha Fernandez did.  In December 2009, Samantha started the business Pick-A-Pick.

She has always had a passion for music. One day she said she was walking through a guitar store and saw the picks. Then it just hit her. Samantha makes the jewelry herself by punching holes in the picks and stringing them. Some of the picks have really amazing graphics.

In addition to her handmade jewelry, Samantha also started a program called Travelin’ Tunes. With the help of other young musicians, Samantha performs for kids in Miami Children’s Hospital and also teaches them about music. Samantha believes that music is a great healing tool and goes twice a week to play for the kids. Because of her age, she currently performs in the hospital’s outpatient area but since she recently turned 16, she can now train to go into the patient rooms.

Samantha loves music and medicine which is an interesting combination.  She has wanted to be a pediatric neurosurgeon ever since she was three years old which blows my mind.  Samantha admits that it’s kind of bizarre that she loves hospitals but I think it’s cool and makes sense because of her goal to become a doctor.  She is making a difference in kids’ lives which makes her feel good.

For those who want to purchase from Pick-A-Pick or donate to her Travelin’ Tunes program, log onto her website and send an email. At the present time, she is not set up for PayPal but will accept checks.

Other than her business and charity work, she attends a regular high school and plays guitar and piano in her spare time.

If you are in the Miami area and want to volunteer with Samantha, she welcomes support.  There is no musical talent needed for the volunteers; just the ability to entertain the kids.

For more information on BIZKID 2 BIZKID or if you know of a young entrepreneur that you would like to see featured please visit Pencil Bugs.

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BIZKID 2 BIZKID (#7) – Ben Armstrong
May 30th, 2010 | Author: Pencil Bugs


BIZ KID: Ben Armstrong

BUSINESS: 9miles Media

AGE: 15

WEBSITE: www.9milesmedia.com

TWITTER: @ben_armstrong

You may know Ben Armstrong from Twitter or Facebook but I had the pleasure of interviewing him recently and found out a little more about him and his business.  It’s always fun for me to learn how other biz kids started and I think you’ll agree that Ben’s story is interesting.

Ben’s idea of starting a local web design company began at age eleven with another teen entrepreneur in October 2008. Their original name was RedTie Designs. Shortly after that, his partner thought it would be a good idea to create a network of freelancers so they expanded the company and changed the name to Milkshake Designs. After refining the concept somewhat and bringing on more people in other countries, they finally settled on the new name 9miles Media, for the simple reason that his partner and him lived only nine miles apart. They began operating in January 2009. As with many businesses, Ben’s partner moved on to other things but Ben kept the name and the business has taken off.

With four partners on board now living in three separate countries, 9miles Media is building effective websites taking customer’s vision and message to the world through the power of Internet. Ben is the only partner who lives in the US. The others are: Donald Harvey (16-England), Joel Drapper (17-England), and Jylan Wynne (17-Australia). Ben said they work great together but there are challenges though like considering the time zones.

Living in different parts of the world doesn’t stop them from having a little fun while doing business. The members of this “big family” played an April Fool’s joke on Ben this year.  He woke up to an email saying he had been fired.  He knew right away that it was a joke so played along with it.  He posted on Twitter and Facebook about what had happened as if he didn’t know it was a joke but did send private messages to those who commented so they knew it was only a joke. He later confessed on all the social media sites so everyone knew it was a joke.

Ben, as well as the other members of 9miles Media, are either self-taught or peer-taught. He knows the value of surrounding yourself with intelligent people because as he says, “some of that might just rub off on me.” Ben goes to a public magnet school which gives them the opportunity for additional programs.

In Ben’s spare time he offers his tech skills for free when he can to non-profits helping them develop their Internet presence.  He also likes to swim and is a certified open-water SCUBA diver.  If that isn’t enough to keep him busy, Ben is working on his private pilot’s certificate.

I have found that some of the best advice comes from young entrepreneur these days. Ben tells other young people that there is a time to be professional and a time to be friendly.  There is also no need for a financial background as long as you are focused on what you want to achieve.  As the pilot in him says, “The sky is the limit, so shoot for the stars!”

For more information on BIZKID 2 BIZKID or if you know of a young entrepreneur that you would like to see featured please visit Pencil Bugs.

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BIZKID 2 BIZKID (#6) – Christian Pavelka
May 22nd, 2010 | Author: Pencil Bugs

BIZ KID: Christian Pavelka

BUSINESS: Starfish Soap

AGE: 13

WEBSITE: www.pavpacksales.webs.com

Christian comes from a family of entrepreneurs with three sisters and his parents, each with their own business.

In 2008, Christian’s mom received an email with a list of websites where kids can buy their own franchise and start their own business. He had four different franchises to choose from: soaps, apparel, jewelry, and spices. Christian chose the soaps.

When I asked him how he came up with his unique business name, Christian said, “Back in Omaha, there was a ministry called Starfish Ministries. I gave ten percent to them so I adopted their name.”

He doesn’t actually make the soap himself although he said if he did, “that is where good math skills would come in handy or knowing science would help.” Christian orders the various scented soaps from a supplier in Chicago in large loaves. He then cuts them into smaller slices for individual bars and sells them on his website.

After he was selling individual bars for awhile, one customer asked if he had a soap a month plan. Christian saw the idea for “Chocolate of the Month” and decided to use that idea for his soap business. For $65, you can buy a year’s supply for yourself and receive a different soap each month or it makes a great monthly gift for someone else. He sells online, at the Farmer’s Market, entrepreneur expos and at consignment shops.

Christian is homeschooled and says it is not that hard to balance his time between his business, school, and fun. “I work on my business in the afternoons after I finish my academics, music practice, household and farm chores,” he told me.

For extracurricular activities, Christian is in track and cross-country, Boy Scouts, and likes going to the gym with friends and he said his friends think it’s really cool that he has his own business and is making his own money.

For more information on BIZKID 2 BIZKID or if you know of a young entrepreneur that you would like to see featured please visit Pencil Bugs.

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BIZKID 2 BIZKID (#5) – Jake Cook
May 16th, 2010 | Author: Pencil Bugs

BIZ KID: Jake Cook

BUSINESS: Jake’s Tutorials

AGE: 13

WEBSITE: www.jakestutorials.com

TWITTER: @jakestutorials

Making videos is what adults usually do as a living but kids are now starting the video production industry early.  I met Jake’s mom, Sarah Cook, through twitter (@raisingCEOkids) when she interviewed me for a book she is working on. She introduced me to Jake and a few months ago, our families had a chance to meet in person and have dinner together.
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Recently, Jake and his family took a business trip to the east coast. Guess where they toured? How cool would it be to have a Hershey’s bar that big! :)
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How long have you been making videos/how-to guides?

I started my business making videos at the end of August 2009.

How did you get the idea to start your business?

I really liked learning how to do things on the computer so I decided that I could share my knowledge and help other people around the world.

How long does it take to make a video?

It depends on what type of video. For a tutorial it takes around 1-3 hours from start to finish.

What editing software do you use?

I use iMovie. I recently got Final Cut so I will probably use that once I learn the program better.

Where do you find your information for your videos?

I find my information from places like Google, YouTube, and other sites online.

What is the coolest product you have reviewed?

I really enjoyed reviewing a product from Cyber Clean called “High Tech Cleaning Compound”.

How do you get the ideas for your videos?

A lot of the videos I make are requests from my viewers. They message me on my channel and ask me for help. Usually when I am asked for help, I make a video about so everyone can benefit.  If there is just something that I find and want to make a video about, then I do that too.

How do you balance your business and school?

I have to put school first, but after that I am able to work on business related things.

Do you have plans to continue this after high school?

I am not sure yet, it depends how far I take the business and whether or not I want to continue with it.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Don’t be afraid to ask companies for items to review or to ask “big” business experts for their opinion on growing your business.

For more information on BIZKID 2 BIZKID or if you know of a young entrepreneur that you would like to see featured please visit Pencil Bugs.

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BIZKID 2 BIZKID (#4) – Lane Sutton
May 09th, 2010 | Author: Pencil Bugs

BIZ KID: Lane Sutton

BUSINESS: Critic

AGE: 13

WEBSITE: www.KidCriticUSA.com

TWITTER: @kidcriticusa

How cool would it be to write reviews as a teenager? That’s what Lane Sutton does. I had fun interviewing him.
 
Please explain your business.

KidCriticUSA.com serves up reviews by a kid, for kids and families about movies, books, restaurants, activities, products and much more! I am the CER (Chief Executive Reviewer), Webmaster, Founder.

What got you interested in that?

I have loved entrepreneurship, writing, business and technology ever since I was 5 and I had always wanted to start my own public newspaper, and the reviews were a great way for me to express my opinion and at the same time provide ideas for other kids and families looking for cool things to do.

What is the most interesting/coolest thing you have reviewed?

I would have to say the coolest place I have reviewed would be the Chocolate Bar at the Langham Hotel in Boston. I went there for my 12th birthday (I am now 13), and it was amazing how all of the buffet items were made out of chocolate or were dipped in it. I loved trying all of the little desserts and it was very fun!

Do you have a favorite category or type of thing you like to review most (i.e. books, movies, etc.)?

I like to review restaurants the most because I like food and I get to try a variety of foods that I may not normally eat or visit those places.

Do you choose the things to review or do people ask you to review specific things for them?

 I choose some of my hotspots or things that I review but I do get requests for me to review products for them that either they created or just want me to review.

Do you plan on continuing this when you’re older?

No, in my future I would like to pursue other careers and work towards my other lifelong goals.

What would your ideal job be?

My dream job that would be ideal is to be the CEO and inventor of a large business technology company creating software! I love technology and incorporating it into business.

Are you in a regular school or homeschooled?

I go to regular public middle school here in Framingham. Unfortunately, they do not teach about business or entrepreneurship! :-)

Is it hard to balance your time with your business, school, and still be a normal kid?

Actually, surprisingly not – somehow I do find time to balance my time with all of my extra-curricular activities and run them all like working on my business, training or consulting with clients on social media or computers, going to school, doing any assignments or homework that I have. I also make time to go to after school clubs to participate and get involved with the school which I am very much so. I also do not consider myself as a normal kid because I think that I go above and beyond and strive to be the best I can be. I am very different from most kids but then again I am also unique in my own way as we all are.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I enjoy riding my bike, working on the computer, writing for my school newspaper, contributing to the town newspaper, designing graphics and writing!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I encourage all readers to check out my website at www.KidCriticUSA.com for my articles, to learn more about me and to contact me. I would love to hear from people!

 Thanks Jason for interviewing me and I was glad to be a part of it!

 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.

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