Archive for Handmade – Page 2

City Bonfires-A Mini Mobile Bonfire

City Bonfires was created and is still produced in Maryland.  It was created by Chris McCasland and Michael Opalski when both of their jobs were impacted because of the Covid-19 pandemic.  Because of this, they were both at home a lot more than they were used to and started looking for something to do with all of this time they had recently acquired.  I think that it is really great that they make everything right in Maryland and with American made materials.

City Bonfires sells several different product packages on their website.  They sell just the “portable firepit”, three different smore packs (which include smore ingredients since these are safe to cook over, and scented ones which interestingly you can also still cook over.  I think this is a very interesting concept and something that has been missing on the market.  Yes there have been other little fire makers out there, but none that are made out of food grade wax and plant based materials that makes them perfectly safe to cook things like smores over.

I really like the idea and execution of City Bonfires.  I believe that with innovation cool niche products like this can really make a go of it.  There is nothing quite as perfect and well thought out as this product on the market.  I think it is very fun that this whole company came from the pandemic.

Shop Page – City Bonfires

Mikaila Ulmer: Founder of “Me & the Bees” Lemonade

Mikaila Ulmer is a 17-year-old girl who started her own lemonade business at a very young age. The business idea started after young Mikaila got stung by a bee and wanted to learn more about bees to overcome her fear of them.  At age 4, she started a business by creating a very small lemonade stand. Very quickly, this turned into the business “Me & the Bees” as a result.

Mikaila is widely successful, at just age 9, she struck an $11 million distribution deal with US supermarket giants Whole Foods Market. Mikaila has also been invited to the White House twice, featured on Good Morning America, NBC News, Forbes Magazine, and Time Magazine for her entrepreneurial success. Mikaila is very busy; she juggles school, her business, and public speaking. The unique thing about her business is that 10% of her brand’s proceeds are donated to bee conservation charities. It is amazing how she used a challenge of hers (getting stung by a bee) to learn more about it and start up a profitable and charitable business.

Mikaila’s lemonade recipe is unique because it comes from her great Grandmother Helen’s flaxseed lemonade. It is fresh-squeezed, and each bottle is made with care. Her family has a huge part in helping her business thrive. As an extension to her business, Mikaila has created a “Bee-to-Z guide” for young entrepreneurs. Here, young entrepreneurs can find inspiration, business tips, and more to make their big ideas come to life. A very inspirational quote from Mikaila reads, “My generation—we’re the future,” Mikaila says. “When we grow up, we’re going to be the people who are the presidents and the leaders of the world. […]  If we start at a young age making a difference, donating back, giving back, when we grow up we can do that on a larger scale.” Mikaila’s business proves that, just like the bees, you are never too small to make a difference.

The 9 Most Successful Teen Entrepreneurs in the World (careeraddict.com)

Mikaila Ulmer of Me & the Bees Lemonade | Microsoft In Culture

Mark Sotomayor – Buy a Tea, Plant a Tree

Mark is a recent 2020 graduate from Grove City College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship. He started his business, Treecup Tea, during his sophomore year at Grove City College. Through a development process of his product, he learned a lot about branding and what it takes to start a business. He began selling samples of his grandmother’s chai tea recipe at local events and pop-up shops out of Dixie cups. He now has 4 different flavors of tea packaged in sleek glass bottles, and he sells it in large stores such as Whole Foods and local farmers markets. His success took time and hard work. Although Mark experienced setbacks and help along the way, that is what grew into the success he has today.

Mark’s tea business is especially unique due to his passion behind the cause he helps with. For each tea that is bought, a tree in Haiti is planted. This serves to combat deforestation in one of the most poverty-stricken places in the world. Mark accomplishes this through partnering with a foundation called Haiti Friends. Mark values transparency in marketing, so he feels strongly about sticking to this purpose behind the business.

Mark is driven by the commitment to “Jesus Christ and follows the leading of the Holy Spirit. He wants to manifest God’s will on earth as it is in Heaven.” Mark is led by the Lord in everything he does and does not focus on the money. His purpose is bigger than the profit he makes, and this is apparent in his business. I believe this is what makes Treecup Tea unique and a great idea. It can be hard to find businesses that truly stick to their cause and do not drift from their true mission when they are blinded by success as their sole purpose and fall into the trap of greed.

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I find Mark’s story truly inspiring because even through setbacks, he found a way to work through them and dig deeper. I can apply this to my own life and future business career because it is important to keep in mind that setbacks are what help us learn and grow. I aim to have a Christ-centered focus in everything I do just as Mark does. As Mark puts it, “if your business isn’t about God then what is it all for?”

 

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Jam Boy

Fraser Doherty:

At age 14 Fraser Doherty started his business by making jam with his grandma’s jam recipe with her in Scotland. He made a twist on jam. Most jams are made with artificial flavor and other bad ingredients, so he wanted to make jam 100% out of fresh fruit. He named His product SuperJam. At age 16, he took his product of jams to big supply stores, and he pitched his product to them for them to sell his product in their stores. He is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the UK. This website provides Fraser’s story, and the blog says, “Fraser has been commended by the Prime Minister at Downing Street, by HRH Prince Charles and was recently awarded a medal (MBE) “for services to business” by The Queen.” https://www.fraserdoherty.com/pages/about-usHe has also written a book called, “SuperBusiness” and “48 Hour Startup”, and it is published in multiple counties. Additionally, he is the Co-founder of “Beer52”. This man is a success, and he is creative and diverse in his focuses. He has created Jam, written books, and co-founded a beer company. On top of all of this, his company provides funds to charitable initiatives. For example, they run over 100 tea parties for people who are elderly.  The Scottish charity called The SuperJam Tea Parties is run by Mr. Doherty. We can learn from Mr. Doherty’s innovative spirit and creative drive. 

Mr. Cory’s Cookies

Have you ever watched the show The Profit? Then you may have heard of Cory Nieves, the creator of Mr. Cory’s Cookies. With the help of his mom, Lisa, Cory has made a very successful business selling cookies that have all-natural and higher quality made ingredients. His cookies are become very successful due to his ambition to create something unique, especially at such a young age. He started at age 6! Cory started selling hot cocoa as a start-up business to help his mom pay for a car so he wouldn’t have to ride this school bus anymore. That became successful among his local community in Englewood, New Jersey. Once his original goal was achieved, Cory expanded his products and market by selling lemonade and his now-famous cookies. He targets customers who have certain health-conscious lifestyles as well by including double dark, oatmeal raisin, and sugar cookies. Cory just wants to make the world happier and help his mom with payments as best he can.

Mr. Cory’s Cookies certainly took off causing Lisa and Cory to branch out and get their own building space, which brought Marcus into the picture. In addition to having Marcus Lemonis as their partner, they have been a part of Whole Foods, Macy’s, TOMS, Viacom, Pottery Barn, Barney’s, Bloomingdales, Ralph Lauren, Citibank, Aetna, Mercedes-Benz, Williams-Sonoma. They are also working with Bergen’s Promise in Rochelle Park, New Jersey, and the Children’s Aid Society in New York City.

Mr. Cory's Cookies (mrcoryscookies) | Official Pinterest accountAmazon.com: mr. cory's cookies

His business is different from the others because of his ability to produce and ship, freshly baked and freshly made ingredients, cookies in the matter of a couple days. Also, he started his business at the age of six, with help from his mother, but regardless, that’s pretty incredible. Cory is driven to make an affordable life for him and his mom, including their home and even for his future college career. His business is great because he is supporting multiple people and Cory is also inspiring other students to go after it and accomplish greatness. With determination and the right resources incorporated with a new idea will get you places and can ultimately end in success. Cory and his mom have inspired me to fight for what I want to accomplish no matter the set backs or disaproving looks that you may receive. They have gone through many struggles, but persevierance is key. Entrepreneurship is what I believe I am being called to do, and stories such as this only confirm my plans.

 

https://mrcoryscookies.com/

https://youtu.be/4yetWN5IIm0

 

Maddie Rae: Slime Queen

There is certain types fun as children that you never grow out of…well at least that is true for me. I loved (and still love) mixing things together and creating some sort of ‘unique’ concoction which is probably why I enjoy baking because it is the grown-up way of mixing ingredients together to form beauty and deliciousness. But enough about sweet and treats, and let’s do full one eighty and talk about slime. Slime? Is it that disgusting looking thing that can turn up in who knows where or can it be that pretty sparkly thing that you can find in the store? Children’s slime is a simple way to have endless fun. Playing with it can be a blast and that is exactly what a young girl named Maddie Rae discovered.

Maddie started making her own slime but as time passed, the interest in slime increased and she found it difficult to find slime glue. But the shortage in glue did not stop Maddie. She decided to try and create her own original slime glue. Finally, after hard work and many experiments, the perfect glue emerged which became Maddie Rae’s Slime Glue. The slime glue was a success and the business decided to expand to an array of slime items that aid in the process of making of slime.

There was a problem when there was not enough slime glue, but Maddie took her twelve-year-old passion for slime glue to that problem and found a solution. Her solution turned into a business which produced Maddie Rae’s Slime Glue. Since then, Maddie had the honor in breaking the Guinness World Record for World’s Largest Slime in 2017 for thirteen thousand eight hundred and twenty pounds. (The record has been broken by someone else) The joy of making slime combined with solving a need caused a young girl to become an entrepreneur.

Saving Bees One Cup at a Time

How many of you when you were young would create lemonade stands with your siblings or friends in the heat of summer? How many of you would make signs, set up tables, and make refreshing lemonade to quench the thirst of people and to make some extra spending money? In neighborhoods still today, children will sell iced cold lemonade to anyone who passes by for about $0.50 a cup. As a child did you ever think that you would run a successful lemonade business that sold lemonade worldwide? Have you ever thought that you could be the CEO of a start up business? Well, let me introduce you to someone who did. Her name is Mikaila Ulmer. Let me share her story. At age 4 she was stung by two bees within a week span. This made her scared of them, but fascinated by them. So, she began learning about them and discovered how important they are to our world, so she wanted to help them. Her great grandma sent her and her family a homemade recipe book and in it was her famous flaxseed lemonade, so Mikaila began selling her great grandma’s famous lemonade recipe to the neighbors in her hometown in Austin. Mikaila’s family at the time encouraged her to begin brainstorming product ideas to promote at the Acton Children’s Business Fair and Austin Lemonade Day. As she began to think, she wanted to incorporate bees into her product. She decided to mix helping bees with her great grandmas lemonade. So, she created lemonade that used honeybee’s honey instead of sugar, and some of the proceeds were donated to foundations who sought to save the bees. Mikaila would proudly declare, “Buy a Bottle…Save a Bee.”  Then Mikaila had the opportunity to go on Shark Tank, and she struck a deal with Daymond John when she was only 11 years old. One is never too young to create and succeed.

Mikaila Ulmer who is now 15 years old has struck success in the Lemonade business, by selling her product called,  Me & the Bees Lemonade. Her 5 different flavors are available at Whole Foods Market, The Fresh Market, World Market, H-E-B stores across Texas and Kroger stores in Houston as well as some restaurants and food trucks. Her story and more information can be found here: https://www.meandthebees.com/pages/about-us

 

You can find Mikaila and follow her progress and success on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikailasBees or on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mikailasbees/?hl=en It is so inspiring and exciting to witness young entrepreneurs find passion for something and pursue it and achieve it, and Mikaila Ulmer has definitely excelled in all of these areas.

Asia Newson – Super Business Girl

When Asia Newson was just 5 years old, she watched her dad go door to door selling candles in the Detroit area. She decided she wanted to learn to make and sell candles for herself. From a very young age, Asia had an impressive understanding of different business concepts including developing her own sales pitch.

“Hi, I’m Asia Newson, and I’m known as Detroit’s youngest entrepreneur.” This simple pitch caught the attention of many.

Now, eight years later, Asia makes and sells her own candles, and she has expanded her business into one that trains other young entrepreneurs about the basics to owning and running a business. It is called Super Business Girl. On her online store, Asia also sells t-shirts, mugs, jewelry, and bags. The proceeds from both the online store and her training program go to help buy clothes and food for children in need.

Although Asia is a teenager now, she has easily adapted her sales pitch to focus on her training program. Super Business Girl targets middle school and high school students while encouraging entrepreneurial thinking to those who may not have thought about running their own business before.

Asia runs her workshop business under Bamboo Detroit, which is a business incubator for start-ups. One of the owners, Dave Anderson, met Asia while she was selling candles and took her under his wing. He gave her tips to improve her packaging and helped her with business techniques. Asia learned a lot about saving and investing money for her business.

In 2015, Asia made an appearance on Ellen where she talked all about her ambitions and goals as a young entrepreneur and woman in America. This ambition has given her lots of recognition and ultimately has played a huge role in her entrepreneurial success.

Super Business Girl and Other Treps Vow to Save Detroit

Mo’s Bows

At just 9 years old, Moziah Bridges became a ‘Kid-preneur’ and CEO of Mo’s Bows.  He appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank at 11 years old and furthered his journey with investor Daymond John.  Since then, Moziah has greatly expanded his company.

Moziah fueled his passion for this company based on a need – he couldn’t find any bow ties that fit his style or personality.

Mo’s Bows are unique, hand-made bow ties that “make you look and feel your best while catering to the sometimes conservative, fun-loving lady or gentleman.” Mo's Bows and Daymond John - Business Insider

Moziah stated that he wanted to expand his brand to eventually create a clothing line that has blazers and neckties.  Currently, his company sells bow ties, of course, neckties, and now face masks.  Graduating this past school year in 2020, Moziah dreams of being a fashion mogul and growing Mo’s Bows into a well known public brand.

When going onto Shark Tank, Moziah had sold over 200,000 bow ties.  Currently, his company’s net worth is estimated at $2 million.

Moziah says that one of his favorite things about Mo’s Bows is being his own boss and making decisions at every step of the way.  His mom is also very active in helping and supporting Mo’s Bows.

Bow tie baller: Memphis teen who started Mo's Bows partners with NBA |  WREG.comMany people can recognize that Moziah is an inspiring entrepreneur because of his young, passionate success.  However, they may not know that  Moziah also has a redemptive entrepreneurship aspect of his company.  His favorite bow tie is the Go Mo Bow because 100% of the proceeds are donated to help kids afford summer camp.  Moziah recognized that the summer time is when child hunger is at it’s highest, and he believes in the importance of kids going to summer camp and having a fun time.

There’s a lot to be learned from someone like Moziah.  From a young age, he took a passion and turned into a successful business all while having fun.

The Bagel Rebellion

Milena Pagan is a self-proclaimed “corporate-retail-strategist-turned-bagel-maker.” Pagan was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Massachusetts to get her degree at MIT. Milena Pagan graduated from MIT with a degree in chemical engineering, followed by a job with CVS Health as an Omnichannel Strategist, but after several years she needed to share her passion for homemade bagels after finding it hard to get New York style  bagels that she really enjoyed. Pagan experimented for several months to create the perfect recipe, then quit her job at CVS and launched Rebelle Artisan Bagels.

Milena Pagan is an incredibly determined person. She identified a problem, and found a way to profit and satisfy that need. Pagan held pop-up shops and promoted her bagels to everyone she could. She has found a way to put a twist on handmade, New York style bagels that differentiates herself from the rest of bagel makers in Providence, Rhode Island. Her success with a Kickstarter campaign granted Rebelle Bagels to pursue a storefront in Providence and they were able to open  their doors in the summer of 2017.

Milena Pagan earned a Entrepreneur of the Year Award New England recently and she deserved it. She has done an amazing job pursing a goal and has achieved great success.  Melina has shown her perseverance and resilience in times of challenge. During COVID she and Rebelle had to be incredibly flexible in order to continue pr0viding customers with the value and quality they were accustomed to.

Customers rave about the fun and interesting flavors that Rebelle Bagels creates on a daily basis. These unexpected flavors are not limited to just bagels, they extend to their very own line of cream cheese, lox, and lunch items.

Located in Providence, Rhode Island, Rebelle Bagels hand make their bagels, cream cheese and lox daily. They experiment with flavors and offer lots of vegan options.