Young business owners from across Nassau County brought their ideas and plenty of entrepreneurial spirit to Uniondale last Saturday. Dozens of children showcased homemade goods, clothing, beauty products and more at the Young Entrepreneurs Showcase.
Held at the John J. Byrne Community Center, the lively pop-up brought together vendors of different ages. Former Lawrence Road Middle School PTA President Claudia Barnes organized the event with other PTA and community members, giving young entrepreneurs a chance to sell their products and gain firsthand business experience.
For 8-year-old Aishleen Cadet, however, running a business is also about giving back.
Aishleen started her lemonade and shaved-ice business, Aishleen’s Cool Treats, with a mission to use some of the money she earns to purchase school supplies for children in need in Nassau County. This year, proceeds from her business helped buy backpacks for children starting school.
The young entrepreneur has been recognized throughout the county for her philanthropic efforts, and was awarded the first-ever Shining Star Award by the Uniondale Public Library.
“The true inspiration behind the business is for Aishleen to understand the importance of giving back,” her mother, Yolette Cadet, said. “Many kids of their generation don’t understand the act of selflessness, and don’t understand how to help each other. The experience is for Aishleen to know that many kids don’t have the life she has, and it’s our job to help,”
Other young business owners at the showcase featured products focused on health, wellness, beauty and sensory learning. Many developed their products based on the interests of middle schoolers in their communities and social circles, with some getting their start by selling to classmates before expanding to local stores and online marketplaces.
Jessica Barnes, Claudia Barnes’s daughter and the owner of JusJess, created her lip gloss business with both beauty and wellness in mind. Her motivation for creating the brand was to promote healthier lifestyles by encouraging adults and children to have more fruits and healthy foods each day.
“Many of my glosses are fruit-flavored,” Jessica said. “Hopefully it makes someone actually want to eat the fruit they are applying on their lips.”
Since starting JusJess, she has developed more of a business mindset, and plans to continue expanding the venture in the future. Like the other young entrepreneurs at the event, Jessica has learned that there are lessons to be learned with every investment, purchase order and sale.
For Milan Wellington, the owner of Milan’s World, a fragrance and sports coloring book business, his entrepreneurial spirit stemmed from more than simply wanting to create products. The middle schooler was raised in a family of business owners, giving him an early look at what it would take to become one himself.
Milan’s World has also become a way for him to connect with older generations in his family and learn firsthand about entrepreneurship. Both of his parents are business owners, and Milan has been able to learn from their experiences while developing his own creative interests.
One of his favorite experiences is mixing fragrances with his father, giving them a chance to spend time together while Milan learns more about the creativity and responsibilities that come with running a business.
Milan’s mother, Hafeesah Wellington, said she was impressed by the creativity and dedication on display among the young entrepreneurs. “I think about how when I was growing up, we didn’t have all of this,” she said. “To see so many children inspired enough to become entrepreneurs feels so rewarding.
“As someone who works professionally with youth and is a business owner, I love this event and all it stands for,” Wellington added. “Then, to also know that my child is one of them feels great.”
