20 under 21
19
age:12 L iving along the water, R achel Maples noticed the sea glass she and her family would find. And in the sea glass, she found an opportunity. R achel, 12, along with her friend and Nansemond-Suffolk Academy classmate, E liana Carson, started the business, Seaglass Co., during a sleepover, using that sea glass to make art and handcrafted jewelry. Their business earned them the Most Original Business honor and $20 at last winter’s Young E ntrepreneur Business E xpo at the Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk R iverfront, and the two seventh-graders donated 10% of their profits to Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters. “We live on the water, and we talked and were like, ‘Hey, wouldn’t it be cool if we started a business,’” R achel said. Having seen others do interesting things with sea glass, the duo thought they could also. They started with easier things to make, and progressed from there, pricing out supplies and their creations. They had found a local business to help them sell their
creations, but when the coronavirus pandemic hit, it put a pause on the business, and with school and other new things on the horiz on, they haven’t been able to restart it yet. Whether it does or not, R achel hopes to use the skills she has learned in a different challenge in the future. By learning how to manage money and work together, she believes those things will prepare her for college and future jobs. “It’s been really interesting, and I would want to do something like this again,” R achel said, “because I enjoyed it and I also learned a lot about how to do stuff, and I might go into business in the future.” What advice would she give to a young person like herself wanting to start a business? “I would say that you should definitely do it,” R achel said, “because, especially at our age, the worst thing that could happen is that you stop doing it, and maybe you lose a little bit of money. It won’t ruin your life, and it will give you practice for the future no matter what.” — Jimmy LaRoue
Rachel Maples
In a word or phrase, how would you describe yourself? Socially awkward What is your favorite TV show? “Umbrella Academy”
for Church, Social, School and Senior Trips Since 1961” Dependable Service from the East Coast to the Deserts of Las Vegas. Always Courteous, Clean & Dependable Locally Owned and Operated Since 1961
• H.M. WHITE, PRES. • PEGGY WHITE, VICE PRES.
Our Drivers Are Experienced and Always Have Your Comfort In Mind. Drug Tested For Your Safety.
H.M. White Bus Service
545-1107 • 539-8484
COLLISION AND PAINT REPAIR
