About 60 young CEOs, from about 10 to 18 years old, converged on Todd A. Robiner Park in the La Mancha neighborhood of Royal Palm Beach on Saturday, June 28. They set up about 45 booths selling their products and services to the several hundred adults who showed up as customers and supporters.
The CEO Kid, a local company that teaches children how to start up successful businesses, produced the event, which was sponsored by iTHINK Financial.
“We had about 60 kids selling,” event organizer Kelsey Dickinson said. “I would estimate up to 400 people throughout the event. We tried to keep count, but it was a big space, and at times, thankfully, felt packed.”
Children staffed each booth while parents looked on from lawn chairs. Products ranged from arts and crafts to one enterprising entrepreneur who was selling insect-like creatures. Service offerings included custom artwork, while one creative 12-year-old offered $35/hour ventriloquism lessons and performs at parties.
Layla Cushing of Wellington is an accomplished ventriloquist. “I learned from books and YouTube videos and have spent hundreds of hours practicing in front of a mirror,” she said.
While deciding whether to concentrate on teaching ventriloquism or performing, she held up her favorite dummy, named Klaus, who said, “I think we will do both!”
The park was filled to near capacity. While young entrepreneurs staffed booths, hundreds of adults and parents shopped, while three judges roamed the booths as “secret shoppers.” Judges were looking at presentation, customer service skills, creativity and general excellence.
One of three winners was Jonah Wald, a 13-year-old from Wellington whose business is named “Not So Creepy Crawlies.” He sells tiny land-dwelling crustaceans called “isopods” as pets. “These isopods make great pets because they are so easy to care for and they don’t bite or sting,” he explained.
Also winning recognition was Amiya Wiltshire, 18, of Loxahatchee, whose crochet craft business is called “Loops of Love.”
“I price my products based on the price of yarn, and I charge $5 an hour for the time I put in,” she explained, pointing to one handbag. “That took me 6 hours, so I priced it out at $35.
She was pleased with sales at the business fair, saying her revenues were in the $50 to $60 range.
The third entrepreneur winning recognition from judges was Julia Lozier, who makes interesting creations from sea glass. The judges commented on her good customer service and business skills.
“I was kind of surprised to be one of the winners because there are so many kids here with cool products and services,” she said.
There were no shortage of kid CEOs showing off their culinary skills. Parson Lettson was on hand doing a great business selling lemonade in the 90-degree weather. When asked if his lemons were fresh, he quickly replied, “My lemonade powder is very fresh.”
Tyler Schulte makes homemade, healthy gourmet dog treats. “I enjoy business because I get to meet people and learn stuff,” the sixth grader explained.
Meanwhile, the three Norman brothers were out in force, all sharing a booth and selling culinary treasures. Jasher Norman was selling $5 Build a Pizza kits, while his brother Elim offered $3 bags of Krafty Kernals popcorn (3 for $8). Brother Enoch offered Mango Magic.
“We use a food dehydrator on mango strips, creating some really delicious fruit roll candy,” said Enoch, who was offering free samples.
Alondra Rivero was painting away, showing her skills as a talented artist. Her brochure describes her as, “At just 12 years old, Ally turns emotions into abstract art.” Guided by her motto “Dream in Color,” she invites people to see the world through joy, softness and imagination.
“I’m inspired by Da Vinci, who was both an engineer and an artist,” she said. “I hope someday to find a career that combines my love of art with robotics.”
Eleni Manolis, CEO of Eleni’s Creations, attended a Greek festival last year and was impressed by all the creative jewelry. “I thought that I can do that,” she said. “So, my business and my art is making charm bracelets. I love the creative process, and I am learning what entrepreneurs do.”
Zach Pearson combined his love of sales and Pokémon by starting Zach Sells Cards. He sells sealed packs of random cards. After a sale to one young customer, upon opening her cards, Zach got all excited and told her, “You hit the jackpot. This one card alone you bought is worth $50!”
The CEO Kid owners Kelsey and Jonathan Dickinson organized the event.
“We were blown away with gratitude to the children, parents, neighbors, families and friends who all came out to support the kids,” Kelsey said. “It was our first children’s business fair, and it went even better than we had imagined. We can’t wait for our next one in the fall.”
For more information, visit https://www.theceokid.com.
