Managing Editor
photo: Sara Hanna
I believe that all kids are entrepreneurs at heart. Whether we encourage that industrious spirit is what makes the difference. My children are always pitching me ideas on how to make a buck, whether it’s selling painted rocks, homemade friendship bracelets on the side of the road or baked goods to friends and neighbors. Any time my daughter or son starts to tell me about a new idea or I catch them gathering ingredients on my kitchen counter for their next creation, I often have to stop myself from inquiring about the mess that will result from their inspired activities. Instead, I remember they are thinking outside the box. That is precisely what many of the young entrepreneurs in this issue’s cover feature have done. They’ve taken a small, homegrown idea and, thanks to encouragement from adults around them, turned it into something bigger. Take 11-year-old jewelry designer Elise Park, whose hobby transformed into a business that donates a portion of its proceeds to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. At 14, Hyatt Brandenburg has already founded a convenience store, became a balloon purveyor, and in his latest endeavor, launched a cookie cake business called Chastain Cookie Bros. Other savvy self-starters highlighted in this issue include a DJ and duos selling lemonade and offering cooking classes. The creativity and bullishness of these young spirits should serve as an inspiration to us all.
This springtime issue is also filled with many other captivating features, from a roundup of “smart” toothbrushes and a profile of costume designer Jeresa Featherstone to a feature on The Vanishing documentary, made in collaboration with SCAD.
I hope you enjoy reading every word. And the next time a child presents you with an outlandish entrepreneurial idea, remind yourself that you could be encouraging the next great American inventor or business magnate.
