When we think of young entrepreneurs we generally think of young adults or kids that are running successful businesses ventures before they have even graduated high school. We are impressed by them and their accomplishments, but we often times don’t see the trials that these entrepreneurs must endure to get to their successful positions.
At just 11 years old, Chloe Stirling started Hey, Cupcake, a cupcake business from her home kitchen. Everything was going along just fine until an article on Chloe and Hey, Cupcake was printed in her local newspaper. You may be questioning why that is a bad thing. It is free publicity is it not? Yes, it was publicity, but the county health department took notice and alerted Chloe that she would have to close down, as her kitchen was not a licensed kitchen, and she did not have a permit. Chloe’s cupcake selling had to come to a halt.
While publicity was what sank her business, it also helped to revive it. After she was shut down she was featured in numerous other articles and TV shows. Soon she had enough donations, to modify her kitchen to meet the requirements. Not only that but her local government passed a bill stating that as long as the food was labeled as having been made in a home kitchen, bakers/chefs could sell their goods as long as they did not exceed a thousand dollars in sales per month. Now Chloe is back in business, creating and selling cupcakes
Chloe’s story displays how a rough start can be overcome. It also demonstrates the importance of an entrepreneur being informed about the requirements and regulations for the business they wish to start, as many headaches can be avoided by being aware of possible issues and resolving them before the problem arises.
I think a lesson from this story for every entrepreneur is the value in not giving up when problems arise. Chloe is a perfect example of someone who did not let a hurdle in her journey define or overtake her dreams. Isn’t that something we all need to keep in mind when we our passions, dreams, and plans are faced with challenges?
I love how she had a passion for baking and started selling cupcakes at such a young age. When I was 11 the last thing on my mine was starting my own business.There are an incredible amount of regulations for bakeries, and being able to handle the stress of figuring them out at the young age of 11 is amazing.
Having to deal with hardships early on in a business can help the long term potential as we see in this example. By learning from mistakes and not always having it “easy”, it allows you to be better equipped for the future and learn from your mistakes and setbacks.
Agreed with what Hannah commented. A story like this proves that just because you meet one hurdle on your journey, doesn’t mean you quit. If you truly believe in your dream, It just means that you continue to jump hurdles until you meet that dream.