By Sharon Omahen


University of Georgia

The economy picked up a bit recently in two Georgia counties,
where 10 new businesses opened their doors. All 10 business
owners are too young to own homes or drive cars.

The young entrepreneurs all got their start as participants in
“Get Ready, Get Set, Start Your Own Business,” a program offered
by their county Extension Service offices’ 4-H program and funded
by Jones County Family Connection.

The program was open to sixth- through eighth-graders from
Jones
and Jasper counties. It began last October, when the students
studied the success of Chick-fil-A Founder Truett
Cathy.

Created businesses based on their talents

“The students used a survey to determine what businesses are
needed in the area,” said Diane Sumner, Jasper and Jones
counties’ Extension 4-H agent. “Then they looked at their
personal skills and talents before deciding on a business to
start.”

Sumner said her goal was to make the program fun while
teaching
the students important skills they can use for a lifetime. The
students had to set goals for their businesses, develop marketing
and business plans and determine what they would do with their
profits.

The program also taught the students how to estimate supplies
and
labor costs before setting a price on their wares.

“The program actually had funds available to loan the students
for use in starting up their businesses,” Sumner said. “The idea
was for them to borrow the money, and then learn about loans and
how to pay them back.”

They turned down start-up loans

None of the students opted to borrow money to start their
businesses. At least not from the 4-H program.

“A team of sisters, Brittny and Mariah Smith, borrowed money
from
their mother to start their basket-making business, BriMar
Creations,” Sumner said. “Theirs ended up being one of the most
profitable student businesses, even after paying back their
start-up loan.”

The student businesses established through the program were
diverse:

* Daniel Peterson and Zeke Marzigliano started Dixie
Woodworking,
creating handcrafted bluebird houses.

* Amelia Thomaston began Desserts in a Jar.

* Dana Sires created Dana’s Pillow Cottage.

* Charity Daniel launched Charity’s Creations, specializing in
cloth jewelry pouches, shoe bags and other items.

* Rebecca Bean began her own cattle-raising company, Over the
Moon Cattle.

* Katie Amos created Candles by Katie.

* Stephen Daniel founded Stephen’s Benches, Birdhouses and
Bookcases.

* Carrie Howell started Confetti Candles.

* Leslie Peterson unveiled Udderly Adorable Gifts, bath
products
made from goats’ milk.

* Colton Strawn produced Professional Printing.

* Holly Ellington opened Hollie’s Hobbies.

* And Kelsey Matthews started her own house-cleaning
business.

The students marketed their products to their teachers, their
parents’ co-workers and their church friends.

“Two of the girls are selling their product through their Mom’s
home business,” said Sumner. “They also have rented booths and
craft fairs.”

The future meets the present

The young entrepreneurs ended the program with a reception to
introduce the new businesses to area business leaders.

“The hardest part for many of these students was meeting and
talking with the adult business leaders,” Sumner said. “They
really had to psyche themselves up to shake hands and make eye
contact.”

Sumner said she was pleased to see how much the students
learned
in addition to the main points of running a business.

“They learned how to set goals and to stick with it until
their
goals were accomplished,” she said. “They also learned to present
themselves as professionals, a skill that should serve them well
as they enter the work force in a few years.”

As the program ended, the students all left with a little more
money in their pockets than when the program began. Sumner came
away with pride in her students’ accomplishments.

“When one of the young men arrived at the reception in a suit
and
tie, I was so proud,” said Sumner. “You never know what an
activity like this will do for a child down the road. Even if
they never go into business, the life skills they learned will
stay with them into adulthood.”