Here are a couple of young girls, who together with their parents, are meeting the need for kids to learn basic sewing skills, with a simple project; while at the same time they are creating a business for themselves.

Here is my interview with them and be sure to check out the product review at the bottom of the page…along with a GIVEAWAY! My comments are in blue.

 

Your name and age:  Susan & Karen Weckler (ages 11 and 9)

 

 

Do you have a name for your business?  Sewing Kits 4 Kids

 

What products or service do you offer? 

Kits that teach kids simple hand-sewing skills while making a fun product.

 

Why did you choose this? 

We noticed that not very many kids are sewing these days.  By making a fun craft with our easy kits we hope to revive an interest in sewing.

 

Do you offer other related products or services?  

We are available to lead workshops for the sewing skills taught in the kits.

 

Tell us a little about your family life growing up.

We are growing up in a rural area in Oklahoma.  We have been homeschooled all along.  We have raised sheep and calves, and are very active in 4-H.  We especially like participating in the county fair.  We are blessed with a close family, supportive grandparents and wonderful friends.  (And yes, we have the common joys and challenges that go along with sibling relationships.)

 4-H has been great motivation for us over the years too!

 

Did your parents encourage you in this pursuit?

If so, how?

Yes, our mom is a retired accountant.  She helped us set up records and taught us the skills we need to track income, expenses and inventory.
 

What type of school do you attend, or did attend? 

Homeschool

 

Did you take any extra classes/lessons to help you pursue your interest? 

Nothing in particular, just lots of projects at home and 4-H involvement.  Our training and practice in public speaking, through 4-H, has been very helpful.

 

Do you plan to advance your education in this area? If so, how? 

Yes, we’re continuing to learn more about sewing and entrepreneurship through helpful mentors.

 

Do you feel like people don’t take you very seriously because of your age?  

When we went to open a checking account for the business they giggled at us.  Then we handed them a business card and told them about our website.  They soon realized that we were serious.

 If so, what have you done to overcome that? 

When we talk knowledgeably about income and expenses and inventory people know that we’re not just playing.

 

Why choose your own enterprise rather than just working for someone else? 

No one else was really doing what we do.  We wanted to offer something fun, easy and inexpensive to encourage kids to learn to sew.

What do you find most challenging about what you do? 

Finding the time to work on the business in the midst of everything else we’re doing.

 lol…Same here! I don’t understand young people that say they are "bored", at our house there are never enough hours in a day!

 

What do you find most rewarding about what you do?

 1. The financial reward of earning our own money through something we have made.

 2. The relationships we’ve made with entrepreneurs, business owners, and others who love to sew.

 3. Helping others realize that they can create something with their hands by learning sewing skills.

 

What character traits do you feel have really been built in you since starting your business?

Cooperation, resourcefulness, diligence, responsibility, good stewardship

 

Who do you go to when you need advice?

Mom and Dad

 

Do you have any examples of a difficult situation that you needed counsel for? 

Setting up a website was completely beyond our knowledge or skills.  We are grateful for a good friend who is knowledgeable in website design and management.  She has guided us all along the way.

 

What are your financial expectations? 

We’d like to earn enough money to take some family trips.  The first place we’d like to see is Washington, D.C.

 

Do you use your product or service to help anyone in need without charge? 

Yes, we have sent sewing kits to missionary children.  We have taken them into an assisted living center and sewn with some of the residents there.

I love this!!!

 

How do you see God using you or your business to bring glory to himself?  

We see the potential to use our sewing kits as an outreach tool to others on the mission field.  These sewing activities are a simple hands-on project that can be shared across language barriers.  We also faithfully tithe 10% of our sales.

 

Do you plan on expanding your business? If so, how? 

Yes, we’re continuing to develop new product ideas and to pursue new marketing opportunities.

 

Do you plan on doing this long term? 

As long as it lasts.

 

Do you have any advice for young people that are considering starting their own business?

Find a problem and develop a business idea to solve that problem.

Look for contests or programs that encourage young entrepreneurs.

Don’t be afraid to try it!  You’ll be amazed at how much encouragement and support is out there for young people who take initiative in business.

 

Do you have a physical place of business or a website that people can go to see what you have to offer?

www.sewingkits4kids.com

 

Do you have a freebie item or discount code you’d like to offer our readers for one week? 

We would like to offer a free Fleecy Flower Pin with each order received this week.  Just mention “Teaching Good Things” when you place your order on our website or when contacting us.

 Thank you girls! Great Job!!!

 

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PRODUCT REVIEW

 

Last week during our Sewing for the Home Domestic Class, I had a couple moms test a few of Susan and Karen’s products.

These kits are good to teach threading a needle and how to sew on a button.

The girls and the moms commented that the directions were easy to follow.

What I like best about about these kits is they are very affordable and the projects can be finished in a fairly short amount of time. Young minds and little hands loose interest quickly and become discouraged if they cannot get quick results. These projects are perfect to ignite a fire in young children to want to try sewing another, or maybe even a bigger project!

 

The kits are put together well and shipped in a timely manner.

 

I have 4 kits to give as a giveaway, two for a boys and two for a girls. Leave me a comment as to why I should send you one and I’ll pick 4 winners to announce on Thursday.

 

These would make great stocking-stuffers, not to mention giving your kids something to do on those long, cold days this winter when they cannot go outside!

 

PLUS- you will be supporting a family ran business!