1 The Driven-to-Drive Designer
Image credit: Origami Owl
When Bella Weems was 14, she turned her passion for handcrafting locket necklaces and bracelets into a moneymaker. She started the business as a way to save up for a car after her parents said they wouldn’t buy her one and told her to “earn it.” She sure did, and then some. By the time she turned 16, the driven teen’s Chandler, Ariz.-based custom jewelry startup had exploded into a multi-million-dollar direct-sales machine.
Origami Owl’s flagship product, the “Living Locket,” allows customers to build their own jewelry by mixing and matching the chains, charms and lockets themselves, some of which come adorned with Swarovski crystals. The lockets are transparent and showcase tiny metal charms that represent the wearer’s personality and hobbies. The company also sells earrings, bracelets and other accessories.
Alongside her mom, company president Chrissy Weems, the teen millionaire leads a team of hundreds of employees and thousands of independent jewelry designers the world over.
She’s incredibly busy these days, but not too busy to give back. Through her inspiring Owlettes initiative, Bella personally mentors aspiring entrepreneurs ages 12 through 17. She shares with them the practical business and leadership skills she picked up on her fast track to success.
Bella’s favorite part of being a kidpreneur:
“The best part about being a kidpreneur is being able to encourage kids of all ages to not be afraid to reach for their dreams and never let anyone tell them they’re not good enough or their idea isn’t good enough.”
“The best part about being a kidpreneur is being able to encourage kids of all ages to not be afraid to reach for their dreams and never let anyone tell them they’re not good enough or their idea isn’t good enough.”
Bella’s advice for aspiring kidpreneurs:
“Take a leap of faith, surround yourself with people who believe in you, follow your heart and always remember you are never too young to achieve a big dream. Also, a positive attitude is a must. Remember things don’t always go as planned, and that’s okay, but, no matter what, keep on smiling and enjoy the journey.”
“Take a leap of faith, surround yourself with people who believe in you, follow your heart and always remember you are never too young to achieve a big dream. Also, a positive attitude is a must. Remember things don’t always go as planned, and that’s okay, but, no matter what, keep on smiling and enjoy the journey.”
2. The Branson-Inspired Merchant and Mentor
Image credit: Ollie Forsyth
Ollie Forsyth
Age: 18
Founder: Ollie’s Shop and The Budding Entrepreneur Magazine
Twitter: @ollieforsyth
Age: 18
Founder: Ollie’s Shop and The Budding Entrepreneur Magazine
Twitter: @ollieforsyth
Richard Branson inspired Ollie Forsyth to take the entrepreneurial leap at the age of 13. That’s three years younger than the billionaire Virgin Group founder was when he braved his first venture.
Much like Branson, Ollie struggled in school. He was often bullied and cast off as lazy. The Northamptonshire, U.K. native later learned that he is dyslexic, also like Branson.
One day, while watching YouTube, he had a breakthrough. There was Branson in an inspirational clip, discussing how he turned his dyslexia, something often misinterpreted as a weakness, into his biggest strength.
“Right then I was determined to become like him,” Ollie tellsEntrepreneur. His first step: embracing his learning difference. His second: proving the people who said he’d never amount to anything wrong with the launch of Ollie’s Shop. The online gift boutique sells trendy fashion accessories, including bracelets, cufflinks and belts. Ollie handcrafts some of his wares himself at home. Others are sourced from China.
Ollie is motivated to become a millionaire before age 20, and ecommerce isn’t the only enterprise he has his hands in. He also has his own subscription-based online magazine, fittingly called The Budding Entrepreneur, and he’s spearheading a networking group for fellow British entrepreneurs.
Succeeding in spite of the naysayers feels incredibly good, Ollie says. But nothing quite compares to the thrill he felt when he finally met his hero, Sir Richard Branson.
“I met him at a Virgin Unite conference last year,” he says. “I was not going to leave the building until I met him. He’s the nicest person I’ve ever met.” He even has the pic to prove that he did.
Ollie’s favorite part of being a kidpreneur:
“You get to meet some fascinating people, but, most importantly, you get some incredible opportunities from those connections made.”
“You get to meet some fascinating people, but, most importantly, you get some incredible opportunities from those connections made.”
Ollie’s advice for aspiring kidpreneurs:
“You have to do what you love and, if you have a business idea in mind, just try it and see what happens. I see too many people with great ideas, but they do not pursue them as they are afraid to. Just get on and do it!”
“You have to do what you love and, if you have a business idea in mind, just try it and see what happens. I see too many people with great ideas, but they do not pursue them as they are afraid to. Just get on and do it!”
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Culled from entrepreneurs. Com
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