First-grader Gigi Kelly uses her love for art to create custom canvas drawings, donating a portion of her proceeds to local animal shelters to help neighborhood cats.

 

FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - Creativity, passion and an innate drive to make a difference were on full display Saturday, July 9 as dozens of young business minds gathered for the annual Kids Business Expo. From handmade accessories to eco-friendly plant propagation, the event proved that the next generation of entrepreneurs isn’t waiting until adulthood to make their mark on the local economy.

Walking through the crowded aisles, it was impossible to miss the sense of purpose driving these young vendors. For first-grader Gigi Kelly, business is entirely personal. Operating under the name G’s Graphic Creations, Kelly launched a venture selling drawings on canvas after being gifted with a set of markers. Impacted by seeing stray and malnourished cats in her neighborhood, she decided to donate her proceeds to animal shelters.

“I wanted to get more money to help cats in need,” she said.

Twelve-year-old Wyatt Pacheco, founder of No More Ruff, showcases his handcrafted sugar scrubs. Pacheco launched his lifestyle venture just two months prior to the expo.

The next booth down, the focus shifted from animal rescue to intricate craftsmanship. Nine-year-olds Tobin Bayles and Giuliana Christi proudly displayed a colorful array of handmade Rainbow Loom bracelets under their company Charming Looms. Rainbow Loom is a craft kit that allows you to weave small rubber bands to create accessories. For Bayles and Christi, the business started organically out of a hobby.

“We were making bracelets and we’re on the same soccer team, so we decided to make it together,” said Bayles. 

They started three months ago and their favorite design to make is the fishtail pattern. In addition to making the jewelry, they also offer lessons where they teach kids how to make their own Rainbow Loom jewelry. With the lessons, the kids also get a free kit to take home and practice with.

Seventeen-year-old Lauren Woolsey displays her costume jewelry business, Wrapped Up In Beads, which features a magical, fantasy-inspired collection of handmade hair combs and pendant necklaces.

In addition to child entrepreneurs, there were also teenagers who showed up to present their work. Seventeen-year-old Lauren Woolsey makes costume jewelry under her business Wrapped Up In Beads. Woolsey got into making costume jewelry, but the materials to make them can only be ordered in bulk which left her with a lot of extra jewelry parts.

“I gotta get rid of this stuff somehow,” she said.

Her most popular items are spike crowns, resembling the kind that are often worn in fantasy movies or cosplay. 

“My jewelry has a magical, fairy princess vibe,” she said.

The expo also highlighted a strong commitment to green living and natural science. An eleven-year-old named Lolarose started a business called Desert Rose Succulent where she sells potted plants. She was gifted plant cuttings five years ago and is still propagating the remnants to this day. All the proceeds go towards funding her home garden where she grows plants such as chamomile tea, green beans and cucumbers. Because she is homeschooled, her business experience also translates to math and science credits towards her classes as it allows her to learn skills relating to plant science as well as accounting.

“I love learning about plants and being around nature,” she said. 

From left to right, siblings Leonardo (11), Santiago (9) and Isabella (5) Wakamiya present their collaborative family venture, Art Lite, showcasing an array of custom-made greeting cards, ceramic tiles and paintings at the Kid’s Big Business Expo.

Innovation in the lifestyle sector was another major draw. Twelve-year-old Wyatt Pacheco, founder of No More Ruff, launched his business just two months ago. He taught himself how to make sugar scrubs and he sells them in various scents, his favorite being piña colada. 

“I love the scent and the way it makes my skin feel,” he said.

There was also a family business, with three siblings working together to make the vision come to life. Eleven-year-old Leonardo, nine-year-old Santiago and five-year old Isabella of the Wakamiya family, have a business called Art Lite. They make various kinds of artwork such as greeting cards, ceramic tiles and posters with mediums such as marker, watercolor and acrylic paint. As they’ve gotten experienced with it, they only need 30 minutes to complete a work of art. They were inspired by their mom being an artist.

“Our mom wanted us to paint,” Santiago said. 

Leonardo enjoys painting nature scenery as well as video game characters, Santiago likes to make the tile coasters and Isabella’s favorite painting is one she made of a bunny. 

As the expo came to a close, the takeaway was that these young participants are gaining much more than basic financial literacy. They are developing empathy, environmental awareness and the confidence to turn their ideas into reality.

Eleven-year-old Lolarose stands proudly behind her booth for Desert Rose Succulent. Propagating plants helps fund her home garden while earning her math and science credits through homeschooling.