Kid jobs were different years ago. Paper routes, cutting neighborhood yards, and the ever popular lemonade stand were the usual. Kids’ goals were fairly simple for raising money. They wanted to buy some toy or game or sometimes even shoes that mom may have said were too expensive. Today’s kids would laugh at yesteryear’s kids as they are taking businesses started in their tiny bedrooms to the bargaining table inside big boardrooms where they are calling the shots and making deals, pulling in cash, and employing more than just mom and dad. Advancements in technology and the use of social media have allowed today’s kids to really develop their business and brand into something big.

Before they make their first million, kids have to put in the initial work to build their brand and business. Houston Style Magazine spotlights a few of Houston’s kidpreneurs who are well on their way as they build brand awareness, call the shots, form partnerships, and hold it down as a boss kid.

Layla and Mya Parish – Suga Babes

“Mom, we want to start a sugar scrub business,” is what a then ten-year-old Layla Parish and six-year-old Mya Parish told their mother. Her response was that of any supportive parent, “Let’s do this.” In April 2012, the girls were in business with an online store selling suga scrubs and body mists. It was not until they added the mobile spa service component that their business really took off. While their young clients age 5-13 sip on almond water, the suga architects, someone who strategically designs and creates sweet and amazing things, go into the homes of their clients and spoil them with mini manis, pedis, and facials. The experience is capped off with a toast with their signature beverage, the Sugatini.

Layla and Mya are doing more than just dishing out some really sweet services; they are changing the lives of their clients. “We are grateful to have fun and make money with our parties but if we can inspire other girls to not only dream but take action, we have done what God has called for us to do,” the girls said. It does their hearts proud when they hear about previous clients who they have inspired to start their own business and live out their dreams.

Suga Babes is a true family affair with the girls and their mom and have made their bond as mother/daughters even strong. This is why they want to franchise their mobile spa business to other mother/daughter teams. Book your mobile spa party through their website, suga-babes.com.

For more information about Suga Babes, visit

Website: www.suga-babes.com

Instagram- suga_babes

Instagram- bellesfillez

Facebook- The Suga Babes YAY

Blog- www.bellesfillez

Kamryn Johnson and Saniya Symone – Kam & Niya

Kamryn Johnson and Saniya Symone have become a packaged deal. The two friends had their own separate lives and careers in the beginning as models and actresses. Through their work, they began to receive tons of advice and they thought they just had to share it but they also wanted to pay tribute to influential women. Using social media, the girls began a series of videos portraying influential black women. Those videos caught the eye of producers at the nationally syndicated show “The Real” and the girls found themselves on national TV sharing their message on a much larger platform.

Their brand has another dynamic to it besides empowerment. Kam & Niya are also budding little chefs with their own story cookbook, “Cooking in Style.” Of course, there are plenty of kid-friendly recipes but there is unique storytelling piece with stories written by the girls to promote literacy, another form of empowerment.

Though they are in the business of empowering others, Kam & Niya have to take their own advice to empower themselves. Balancing schoolwork and activities with the demands of their business can be a struggle but the support of family helps the girls push through. Being taken seriously is also another challenge the girls faced and in the beginning, they tackled by trying to sound like adults. However, they learned to stop trying to be someone that they were not and stay true to themselves by speaking from a kid’s perspective. This is still their ongoing message as they continue to book speaking engagement to empower children to follow their own dreams, develop signature events, and grow their product line. Follow their evolving children’s empowerment network at kamandniya.com.

Kam & Niya

kamandniya.com

IG: kamandniya

Kamryn Johnson

www.KamrynJ.com

Saniya Symone

www.SaniyaSymone.com

Journie Bell – Jewel Box By Journie

Seven-year-old Journie Bell is new to the business world but growing fast in popularity. In the beginning, Journie’s focus was only on the business of herself as an actress, model, and dancer. Doing that, however, did not fulfill her desire of wanting to give back. In April of this year, she added business owner to her resume with the launch of Jewel Box by Journie B. Selling bracelets, lip balm, and tanks, Journie uses the tagline “Just Believe” to encourage others to believe in themselves to accomplish anything that they set their mind to do, just as she has.

Journie credits her success thus far to her supportive family and her sheer drive to be the best at all she does. Her best advice to future kid bosses is to surround yourself with liked minds and just go for it. “Some days will be harder than other days and you have to stay consistent and positive,” said Bell.

Products of Jewel Box by Journie B are being sold at her grandmother’s boutique, My Boutique by Carol and her website, JournieBell.com. She also has had some success at pop up shops and plans to continue to develop more opportunities like that. As she continues to work, Journie will stay positive, block out negativity and remain humble.

Find out more about the Jewel Box By Journie

Website: http://www.JournieBell.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/princessjournieb

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JournieBell

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/princessjourbieb

With all of these kid bosses, there were several constant messages for their success – supportive families, the belief in themselves, and having a positive attitude. Keep these elements close and you too could be a boss kid.