TEENPRENEUR AWARD NOMINEES
This award recognizes entrepreneurs, age 19 or under, committed to the tradition of black business achievement.
- Amber’s Amazing Animal Balloons
- Founder/CEO: Amber Liggett (16)
- Location: Beaver, PA
- Type of Business: Balloon Creations and Entertainment
At age 8, Amber Liggett received a balloon kit as a gift. She became fascinated with the various techniques for creating colorful balloon shapes and animals. The 16-year-old now has a thriving business providing balloon creations, storytelling, face painting, spin art, sand art, cotton candy, and soon temporary gel tattoos. Liggett even provides “balloons to go,†which are custom decorations pre-made and sold as takeout orders. Her revenues topped $5,500 in 2011. The philanthropic teen also does fundraising for organizations.
- Mamma Nia’s Vegan Bakery
- President/CEO: Nia Froome (19)
- Location: Valley Stream, NY
- Type of Business: Vegan/Organic Cookies and Cupcakes
Nia Froome was determined to make vegan food accessible and delicious, inspired by her mother who gave up meat after a breast cancer diagnosis 12 years ago. The teen amateur baker and cook began altering cookie recipes and borrowed the catchy name of the musical Mamma Mia to inspire her company’s name. Today, the 19-year-old’s Mamma Nia’s Vegan Bakery specializes in cookies, cinnamon rolls, and cupcakes–all made without eggs or milk. Revenues for 2011 hit $7,000.
- Weeds & Moore
- President/CEO: Jordan Anderson (18)
- Location: Dallas
- Type of Business: Lawn Care Services
Jordan Anderson began mowing lawns at age 8 to buy a pair of Nike Air Jordan sneakers. Today the 18-year-old is president and CEO of Weeds & Moore, a neighborhood lawn care company with 100 customers and growing. Anderson recently added an eco-friendly focus and two employees. Weeds & Moore raked in 2010 sales of about $3,600 and $7,500 for 2011, with profits going toward Anderson’s college savings. He is training another teen to take over his business and plans to start another landscaping company.
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Small business is BIG BUSINESS at the 2012 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo hosted by Nationwide, May 23-26, at the Hilton Chicago Hotel in Chicago, IL. Expect innovative sessions, high-powered speakers, and an early peek at the products, trends, and services you’ll need to stay ahead of the curve. To register and find out more, visit www.blackenterprise.com/ec/