Young entrepreneurs from across Nassau County transformed the Uniondale Fire Department’s parking lot into a pop-up marketplace last Saturday, showcasing handmade products, baked goods and youth-managed services while learning firsthand what it takes to run a business.
The even, co-organized by Lawrence Road Middle School PTA President Claudia Barnes and Judine Duquesney, of Uniondale, showcased 11 businesses owned by children and teenagers. Barnes opened the event to young entrepreneurs beyond Uniondale after seeing interest from families throughout the county.
“I opened it up because my daughter and I participated in some other young-entrepreneur events,” Barnes said. “And then there were just kids from everywhere.”
Three of the participating businesses were run by Lawrence Road students, including Barnes’s daughter, Jessica, owner of JusJess, a business that began with homemade lip gloss and has since expanded to include T-shirts and party favors.
Barnes said on Saturday that she was impressed by the creativity and ambition on display. “Sometimes I am wowed,” she said. “At these events you see a lot of kids, and you’re just amazed at the ideas these kids come up with.”
The showcase also featured businesses selling press-on nails, homemade lip gloss, custom phone cases, Pokémon and sports cards, handmade flowers and toys known as squishies, for sensory learning, giving visitors a glimpse into the creativity of Nassau County’s youngest entrepreneurs.
Among the first-time vendors were sisters Londyn and Lauryn Lowe, 11 and 10, of Merrick, students at St. Agnes School. The pair brought cookies, bracelets and other items, and called their business R&C Boutique & Snacks.
Londyn spent the morning baking homemade pretzels to sell and offer as samples. The sisters also make handmade beaded bracelets, and said they decided to participate after spotting a flier advertising the event.
“I saw the flier in the [Uniondale] library and liked it, because there were bracelets on it,” Londyn said.
For Lauryn, the event offered a lesson in customer service. “I learned that when people walk by you should welcome them,” she said, “because that’s good customer service.”
Rheina Bailey, 14, of Uniondale, used the showcase to introduce Bailey Babysitting Service, a business inspired by years of watching her younger cousins. Although she had not yet secured her first client, given the fact that this was her first pop-up, Rheina said she wanted to demonstrate that she was prepared. She completed babysitting training and earned certifications in CPR, the use of an automated external defibrillator, or AED, and pediatric first aid. She also said she would bring a first aid kit and books to every job.
If parents would ever be concerned about having a teenager watch their child, Rheina said, “Don’t worry — I have these certificates.”
Her mother, Theuda Chambers, a nurse practitioner, encouraged Rheina to pursue professional training before launching her business. “This makes sure that you know she’s prepared to watch your kid,” Chambers said.
Barnes said that Rheina’s business stood out because it showed that entrepreneurship doesn’t always have to involve selling a product.
Jessica Barnes said she started JusJess about two years ago, after learning how to make lip gloss at school. She said she wanted to encourage healthier habits by creating fruit-themed products.
“I started my business because I wanted people to want to try more fruit,” she said. “And my friends are actually eating better.”
As the business has grown, Jessica has added custom shirts, and has supplied products for graduation parties and other events.
Running the business has taught her perseverance, she said. “I learned there’s a lot of work, and you’re definitely going to need help,” she said. “There’s going to be a lot of trials and errors.”
For Jessica, the event was about more than sales. She said she hoped that exposing other children to young entrepreneurs will inspire them to pursue their own ideas.
“Some people, they could get business ideas from me based on what they see around them,” she said. “Because I saw there was a need to eat healthy in my school, and that’s what inspired me to make lip gloss.”
Gianna Duran, 10, a student at Shaw Ave School, in Valley Stream, has a business called Playful Pastry Paradise, and sells fresh pastries. She has also been making soap and bath bombs for three years. This was her first time selling products in public. She was inspired by her younger sister to practice healthy habits by washing her hands, with the hope that the smell of the soap would inspire her.
“I’m selling sugar cookies, brownies and handmade organic soap,” Gianna said. “The sugar cookies, you can use edible ink markets to decorate them, and put on any topping you want for the brownies.”
Besides good customer service, Gianna knew there was much more to bring to a business in order to become successful, including never giving up. “I learned you should always go for what you’re dreaming for, because one idea can lead to something big,” she said.
