Ambition can come in any form and at any age, just ask 10-year-old entrepreneur Jessie Olton.
“My vision for my company is to expand worldwide by launching an international website and maybe one day, Rihanna would wear one of my shirts,” he tells Barbados TODAY.
“She went to my current school, Charles F. Broome, as well as the school that I would like to attend.”
In mid-October, Olton staged his first pop-up store at Sky Mall for his T-shirt line, J-Pro – Jessie’s Productions – which stands by a strong ethic of educating youth through literacy, campaigning against violence, and standing up for his Christian faith, he says.
“My first pop-up for J-Pro was very productive,” he recalls in an online text conversation. “I was able to sell many items and promote my business.”
And he boasts a solid network behind his success.
“The support was good. I was visited by several friends of mine, teachers, family members and people who saw me on TV.”
Recently sworn in as Deputy Head Boy of Charles F. Broome, he says that he is also grateful for the learning curve that came with staging the pop-up.
“This process taught me how to sell and promote. It showed me how to make people aware of my business,” he says.
Olton has this advice for other young ambitious children: “More kids should get involved in business. If we all spread positive messages the world can become a better place.”
He is urging Barbadians to check out Jessie’s Productions because of its potential.
“I would like to encourage Barbadians to wear my brand because I believe it can be just as big as Nike,” he says.
Among those he thanks for attending his first pop-up store and for his business are “my parents, my grandparents and my teachers”. (MR)
