There are many types of Whiz Kids… athletes, scholars, artists, animal activists, etc. This week’s winner, Emmaline Burrell, is an entrepreneur. She has a mature handle on economics at the tender age of nine. What began as a hobby (jewelry design) has turned into a business with considerable earnings.
Whiz Kid’s Name: Emmaline Burrell
Whiz Kid’s Age: 9
Find out what's happening in Tuckerwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Whiz Kid’s School: Home school
Whiz Kid’s Accomplishment: Budding Entrepreneur/Jewelry Design & Sales
Find out what's happening in Tuckerwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Whiz Kid’s Key to Awesomeness: A young entrepreneurial spirit with a heap of altruism.
Patch interviewed Emmaline for details:
Q. What led you to jewelry design and how did your business expand so quickly?
A. “Well, it started as a family business. I sold to my mom and grandparents only. Then my mom's friends saw my jewelry and loved it. After that, I participated in local craft shows and it took off from there.”
Q. What type of jewelry do you make?
A. “I make jewelry out of natural things like stone, wood, glass, shells, and metal. Mostly, I make earrings but sometimes I make bracelets.”
Q. What parts of the business do you manage?
A. “Basically, I manage everything except the taxes. I buy supplies, make the jewelry, work the table at craft fairs, and make the displays.”
Q. Is it true that you have more pocket change than your mom?
A. “Most of the time, yes I do. Now I'm saving up for a trip with my Girl Scout troop so I can have money.”
Q. What other things do you do besides design and sell jewelry?
A. “I'm in a Girl Scout troop, I like to write, I'm on two swim teams, I'm in a book club at The Little Shop of Stories, I'm in a galley group, and I LOVE to read.”
Q. Do you think homeschooling has helped you with your business?
A. “I do because if I was in public school, I wouldn't have much time to learn about being a businesswoman. I mean what 4th grade teacher (except my mom) would expect a 9-year-old to have a business and if so, would teach about it?”
Q. If you end up making millions selling jewelry what will you do with the money?
A. “My mom has her eye on a house near my grandpa's house and I would buy that house for her and my aunt wants the house right next to mom's house, so I would buy that for her.”
