Feeling his $3 weekly allowance didn’t go far enough at
the Dollar Store, Patrick Williams of Fort Myers told his dad he needed more
money. His father, Ralph Williams, remembered rolling beeswax candles as a kid
and selling them at a restaurant for bubblegum money. He suggested that
seven-year-old Patrick try it.
In early 2007, Patrick and his younger brother, Joe, started
selling handmade beeswax candles to friends and family. Then, with help from
Dad, they struck a deal with the Calusa Nature Center in Fort Myers to carry the
candles, and soon added organic soap, T-shirts and jewelry to their product
line. Inspired by his kids’ drive and success, Ralph founded FranChild, a
"franchise-like" business that allows children and teens to become
entrepreneurs.
For $25 a year, kids receive access to the same
below-wholesale, bee-themed products that the Williams boys sell, and membership
in FranChild’s online community, The Hive. For an additional $2 a month, clients
can add their own Web page created by Ralph. He says that children and their
parents will be able to edit their own pages by later this year.
FranChild’s clients print business cards, labels and other
marketing tools using software from Printable Technologies in Fort Myers, where
Ralph is the director of strategic accounts. Clients package their own products
and set their own prices.
FranChild buzz is growing. A mention in a Wall Street Journal blog in March, before its official launch, brought
in dozens of customers, from as far away as Australia, and an invitation for
Ralph to speak on Fox News. Patrick, now 8, and Joe, 6, are making $200 a month
each, some of which goes straight to church and savings.
"When my kids are old enough to drive, instead of going to
their first McDonald’s job they’ll be driving to their [clients]," Williams
says.
Print this page
Email to a Friend
Digg This Article
Subscribe to Gulfshore Business