Biz Kids Finish Their Summer of Business

Coen and Kalix Karras, 12 and 10, make natural and organic wraps from bacteria resistant cloth, brushed with beeswax and jojoba oil.

They are used to keep fruits and veggies fresh, or to cover bowls and small plates. They come in three different sizes, and provide a care card that tells you the best method to clean for re-use. A set of three costs just over twenty bucks.

“Basically they’re used to replace anything like a plastic bag. Say you have a piece of cheese and you have to put it somewhere so it won’t go bad, if you have a plastic bag it will keep your food safe. But with this it will do the exact same thing as the plastic bag, except better,” said Coen Karras.

“It will keep your food from any germs, bacteria and all that. It also lets your food breathe so it lasts longer, and stays healthy. It keeps your food healthy longer and keeps its natural taste.”

HoneyBeez Wax Cloth Wraps is one of the many businesses started by 10-16 year olds in the Biz Kids program. It’s designed to grow their entrepreneurial spirit and teach valuable lessons from launching a start-up business.

“They go through 6-8 hours of business training, make a business plan, [we] match them up with a business mentor in town, and we send them out in the community,” said Phyllis Maki, Community Futures.

“They get the opportunity to run their own businesses.”

“There’s financing [workshops], communications, so that they know how to talk to customers, and how to keep track of their financial records so that they know how much money they have left,” said Morgan Wild, who helped run the workshops.

Nico Tremblay began selling carrots and potatoes from the seeds at his grandparent’s farm in St. Vincent this summer. The Grade 8 from Dr. Brousseau says it was “tiring” but a good experience.

“My mom said it would be good to get money back for the seeds,” he said laughing.

Izzy’s Lemonade is one of the most popular from the bunch as she sets up shop at almost every local event, ready to serve her cool treat. “SmArt” sold art and slime, and Calm & Steady their homemade bathbombs and earrings.

Maki is always amazed at the philanthropic spirit of the kids. Since beginning the program in 2001, at least one  young person has given back to the community each year.

“We’ve actually had young participants who’ve given their entire proceeds from the summer to a cause that’s near and dear to their heart,” said Maki.

The Biz Kids barbeque, held yesterday, is fuelled by donations from the community which allow the program to continue year after year.

It was also the last day of business for the entrepeneurs, who were set up in a trade show fashion in the parking lot of the Centennial Centre.

Honeybeez, like a few others, have decided to continue doing business into the fall.