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Correspondent photo / Nancilynn Gatta
Aimsley Brown, 9, of Howland, right, chooses a piece of jewelry from Kadence Parker, 11, also of Howland, at Kadence’s business, Girly Gurl Accessories, during the Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio Youth Market Day Saturday at the Eastwood Mall. Aimsley was choosing an item as a present from her family for her upcoming birthday.

ILES — CEOs of companies have to start somewhere.

For local entrepreneurs, Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio gave them a chance to meet customers and sell their wares during Youth Market Day on Saturday at the Eastwood Mall.

“We have 10 young entrepreneurs selling their goods in the center court of the mall, which gives these kids great exposure and opportunities to hone their selling skills, boost their self-esteem and see the importance of customer service,” said Kristen Taylor, development and special events manager for Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio.

The participating students were: Madeline Krafft, 10, of Cortland; Piper Feathers, 13, of Champion; Emma Goldbach, 14, of Warren; Kadence Parker, 11, of Howland; Alvin Nelson, 9, of Howland; Rylan Welsh, 11, of Hubbard; Uriah Lauderman, 11, of Hubbard; and siblings, Henry Gaul, 9; Wyatt Gaul, 13; and Maddy Gaul, 11, all of West Farmington.

To participate in the Youth Market Day, students must attend the Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio seminar, “Start My Business.”

“It is a two-hour workshop that is held for children, ages 7 to 16,” said Kayla Serrecchio, Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio project coordinator.

Joanna Feathers, Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio Learning Experience Manager, expanded on the workshop.

“It walks through the stages of creating a business from coming up with the idea, keeping a budget, naming your business and other things. We give them a booklet and they only have to attend once to participate in Youth Market Day,” she said.

Some items had ingredients from their home garden such as Madeline’s business, Enchanted Garden, which offered strawberry plants, seeds collected last year and bookmarks made of dried flowers.

Alvin’s business, Bubble Fizz, which offers shower steamers and bath bombs, uses all natural ingredients such as mint and lemon balm.

Some products were created with the initial lessons from an older relative. Kadence’s mom, Markisha Parker, loves to sew. Her Girly Gurl Accessories offers scrunchies, bows, headbands and other products.

Uriah came up with his business, Flamin’ Firestarters, because of an activity that he loves and his Grandma Karen Hinkle’s help.

“He loves to go camping,” she said.

Each Firestarter is made of melted candles and wood chips.

Henry Gaul of West Farmington was influenced by products his father was making to create his own items for his business, Henry’s Paracord Paradise.

“My dad started to make rope from old parachutes. I decided to do it. I make a large dog toy, keychains and zipper pulls from paracord,” he said.

Maddy Gaul’s work with her grandmother inspired her business, Maddy’s Confections.

“My grandma and I made chocolates in a mold,” she said.

After that experience, she decided to change her youth market business from jewelry to confections such as chocolate tulip suckers. It was a good idea to switch. She won the Best in Show award at Saturday’s event.

The youth market had original products that were thought of solely by the students. Piper designs her own cards for any occasion with her business, Unicards. She starts with a sticker or flowers in mind and creates the card. Even her business title is her own creation.

“I saw a lot of unicorn themed items when I was thinking of a name for my business. I thought Unicards. It’s perfect,” she said.

Her station had a unicorn statue on display.

Wyatt Gaul’s business, Bird Nerd, creates bird seed balls that can be hung up in a tree. He uses such ingredients as lard, peanut butter and bird seed for his bird feeders.

The students thought of more than just making money when they sold their products.

Rylan and his business, Kidtastic Klean, makes soaps, cupcake bath bombs and detox bath salts. He gives a percentage of his sales to Multiple Myeloma Cancer Research, a disease his grandmother is fighting.

“My brother has autism. Sometimes, when he goes to a party, he might accidentally eat something that he shouldn’t. My mom soaks him in the tub with the detox salts and he is better,” Rylan said.

A Christian-based entrepreneur, Emma and her business, Little Lamb Co., offered handmade jewelry that included beaded bracelets with crosses. Her station also offered a box where customers could write a request for a prayer.

A second opportunity to purchase products from these young entrepreneurs will happen when Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio’s Youth Market Day takes place Nov. 5 during November Rain at the Eastwood Mall.