Grade Five St. Bernard’s Catholic School student, Angela Campos, has opened her own beading business. She is just 10 years old.
“It all started when I got a beading kit for my birthday (and) I made my mom and grandma a bracelet that they fell in love with. That’s what gave me the idea to start my own business,” says the proud owner of Blue Bunny Beads.
She says the business has arisen from her passion for crafting.
“I love beading, and I thought I could use it to help people. I myself have a heart condition and a lung condition, so I thought it would be a good idea to support Sick Kids hospital which is where I stayed from two days old to a couple of months old,” she said.
Campos makes specialty bracelets for Sick Kids Hospital, Every Child Matters efforts, and breast cancer research organizations. She donates $15 from each specialty bracelet. Campos is also donating 20 cards and items to local seniors during the holiday season.
“I know that not everybody is as privileged as me and as lucky as some other kids, so I like to help if I can,” she said.
So far, Campos has found nothing but success with her business. She currently has lots of Christmas orders and sales on the go.
“I think people like my products because I use all-natural gemstones. For the lava ones, I can put natural oils on them that work with energy in the body; they are almost like medical bracelets as well,” she said.
“People also like that they are done by me, a 10-year-old.”
For now, Campos runs her business through Facebook and Instagram, as well as attending local craft shows. As she gets older, Campos would like to have a store in the Orillia Square mall.
“When I’m a teenager I want to get a little shop in the mall. But at some point, I also want to go to medical school and I want to be a pediatrician," she said.
Right now, Campos Is challenged with being a business owner and an elementary school student all at the same time.
“I do online school, and it’s easy for me. I love school so much,” she said.
“Lately I’ve been really busy with my Christmas orders. After school, I spend an hour or two on it every day.”
To start her business, Campos took out a loan from her parents. She pays 50 percent of her profits to her parents, for now, 25 percent goes to Campos for her beads and materials, and the other 25 percent goes into her savings.
“Once I pay back my parents, I’ll be up to 75 percent for my savings, and I can put more money into my business too,” she said.
Blue Bunny Beads is taking orders for Christmas until Dec. 10 if you need an item shipped, and Dec. 15 if you would like to pick up your order.
Campos takes her orders by phone; you can place your order by calling or texting 705-323-2794.
