We caught up with Carlene, 16, and Priscilla, 11, at our first market of the Fall season in Tucson, Arizona. This sister duo shared some great insight into what it takes to run their businesses, which they have combined under one name: Evil Eye Bracelets, Candies, and More!
CEM: Tell us about your business. How did you first get the idea?
C: I started my business in 8th grade at school, and I started selling candies out of my back pack.
P: I got my idea off of seeing other people start their own businesses and I thought that was really cool. I started since Covid but I didn’t make the type of bracelets that I do now.
CEM: What supplies or resources did you need to get started?
C: I needed a lot of candy from the regular candy, to sour candy, from Chamoy to Pulparindo, from Tajin to sugar, and the containers themselves. The resources I used was my mom – my mom’s bank account, she helped me! I pay her back everytime we do these.
P: For my resources, I usually by my stuff in bulk so I don’t have to buy more later. At first it was my mom’s bank account too, but after that my sister started her own account on her card and she started buying stuff for me, and I pay her back.
CEM: What are some challenges you’ve faced in business, and how did you overcome them?
P: Some stuff that interferes with my business was how much things cost, and if you wanted to start an online business you’d have to pay for your platform. So I don’t want to pay for my platform, I just want to sell online. So I just didn’t start an online business, not yet.
C: My challenge was that my candies were too spicy. People didn’t like how spicy the candies were. They said that it was hurting their stomach and it was burning their mouth, so I added sugar to it! It made it more sweet, and it still gave it the spice afterwards. Just added a little bit of sweetness.
CEM: Do you have any advice for aspiring kid entrepreneurs?
P: Just follow your dreams, and if something doesn’t work out, just keep on going and try different things.
C: Always work toward what you want to achieve! Always have the mindset that you will achieve it, and you will!
CEM: How can potential customers get in touch with you?
P: I have an instagram, she (Carlene) is my manager, so she always helps me out. I haven’t shipped stuff out yet, but there will always be people that don’t live here and want to buy some.
C: I sell my candies at school, by my phone number, I have Instagram, and I also have Snapchat.
CEM: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
C: You can do anything you put your mind to!
Thanks for chatting with us, girls! We look forward to seeing you at many more markets!
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