13-year-old Entrepreneur of Pencil Bugs
Pencil Bugs are hand made colorful, bug-like pencil toppers that come on of top of a #2 pencil, each with a Certificate of Authenticity that gives their birth date, name, and care and training instructions. Pencil Bugs are removable to put them on another pencil, pen, or marker and still use the pencil eraser.
When I was nine, my mom was making items for a craft fair. I had the bright idea that if I offered to help her, she’d give me part of her profits. My plan didn't work. She said I had to come up with my own idea.
After several designs, Pencil Bugs were born. Using $10 of my own money, we made 24 Pencil Bugs. They sold out quickly.
Since I had leftover supplies, I made a few more and took them to school. Kids started asking for them. I realized I might have the next big thing. I asked my parents to help me set up a business.
Before long, I had given many interviews for newspapers, radio, websites, was on TV, and won awards.
I designed bookmarks with each of the Pencil Bugs characters. I launched my own greeting card line featuring the Pencil Bugs characters. I also opened an online Café Press store.
For the first two years, I donated to a local foster care agency in southern California. In 2008, I started a gift bag program with Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, where I buy toys, games, books, and other activities for the kids.
Because of my charity work, I received a Young Philanthropist Award. I was also the youngest person to receive the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award at age 11.
I’ve had a lot of media attention and opportunities. Some of the bigger things that have happened are:
Up until now, with a lot of help from my parents, I have successfully marketed my business without marketing costs. If I were to win any amount of money from this contest, it would make it easier to expand my business.
I have been working with manufacturers about mass producing my Pencil Bugs but have not found the right one yet. I also have designs for a plush toy version of Pencil Bugs, a board game, video game, card game, and eventually I envision a cartoon, and maybe even a movie.
You can’t get anywhere by sitting on your ideas. If you don’t at least try, you’ll never know what you might accomplish. Once you start, don’t give up even if it gets hard sometimes. No one can do it alone so get someone to help. Not only can they encourage you but they can save you a lot of time by learning from their mistakes. Do your homework and make sure your business plan is solid. Then remember to give back to others because even the smallest gift can make a difference to someone.
Comments
"If you don’t at least try, you’ll never know what you might accomplish."
That's probably one of the greatest pieces of advice ever. This guy - I don't even use the word "kid" - is inspiring. I want my daughter to feel like she can accomplish anything - and this story shows me I don't have to teach her to "wait until she grows up" to do it.
Makes you think.. if a 13 year old can do it, why can't I? After reading this article, I went and found him on twitter and chatted with him. He is a real class act. Interacting with this young entrepreneur gives me hope for the future.