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.
