business Smallowners

Story by Emily Toman

by Can Türkyilmaz & Benjamin Hager

typical kids spend untold summer hours watching television, networking on Facebook, playing video games and hanging at the mall, happily oblivious to the pressures of turning a buck.

Look for AZA Designs at Random, 6465 E. Mockingbird, Suite 366, or at M Salon, 1918 Abrams. Also, search for it on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Read Ashley’s story>>

But a few young people possess a beyond-their-years business savvy coupled with the rare desire to launch an early career or do their part to better the world.

Meet the neighborhood’s most enterprising youths — trust us, they are people you might want to know in the future.

WATCH VIDEO at prestonhollow.advocatemag.com or scan the code with your smartphone

A Real Gem

Name: Ashley Austin age: 13

Biz: AZA Designs

Halfway through dinner one evening,AshleyAustinjumpedup from the table and said, “I have an idea for a necklace!” She grabbed her supplies and locked herself in the hall bathroom to create her new jewelry design.

“I don’t like people to watch me work,” she says. “It creeps me out. I like it to be a surprise.”

The 13-year-old Preston Hollow resident has her own jewelry line, AZA Designs, but it’s not plastic beads on a string. Ashley’s handmadeworkissoldatRandom, theformerInwoodVillageboutiquethathassincemovedto Lakewood,wheresheattends school at St. Thomas Aquinas.

“Myfriendscallit‘Ashley’s store’,” she says with a smile. “It makes me feel special.”

Random ownerMarkHearne rememberswhenAshleycame into the shop two years ago, her mother shooing her over to the counter.

“Shehad a littlebagofstuff in her hand,” Hearne says. “She crept up to the cash register and said, ‘I sell jewelry. Would you like to see some of it?’ ”

Ashleylaidout10piecesto show,anditdidn’ttakemuch convincing.

“For a girl her age, the designs were well-thought out with great color coordination. I was immediately impressed by it,” Hearne says.“Itookallshehadwith her, and it started selling immediately.”

Self-taught, Ashley became serious about her craft in fifth grade. She sellsherpiecesfor about $15-$30, and it took a while to actually make money. So far, she has earned about $120 in profits, most of which go back into the business to buy beads and other materials.

“Ijustgotintheblacktwo months ago,” she says.

Yes, Ashley knows her financial

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