Tycoons age 11 and 10 join business summit

Two schoolgirls will be star guests at a Christmas summit of local business leaders – who are lauding the pair for becoming budding tycoons at the ages of eleven and ten.

Both have launched their own businesses. The younger of the two is called Bea – and she makes and sells SLIME which she markets on the internet.

Fellow entrepreneur Megan devotes her spare time to crafting jewellery. The two would-be Alan Sugars have wowed the local business world so much they have won invites to a high-powered gathering that is being held in the run-up to the festive season.

The Christmas Fayre and Networking Event is a highlight of the calendar for companies and their bosses in Erewash. 

The get-together is organised by the Erewash Partnership – a local enterprise agency that is an umbrella group for local firms. It works closely with Erewash Borough Council – which helps to fund it with government money from what is called the Shared Prosperity Fund.

Bea, who lives in Spondon, told how she got the idea for her online shop selling toy goo. She said: “The girls at school were all buying slime from America and waiting days for it to arrive.

“I had a look and thought, ‘I can do better than that’ and started to experiment with a couple of my friends. We have three cats Jackie, Zara, and Cozy so called the company after them. 

“I did all the research, found the ingredients online and set up a slime room at home where I make the goo.

“It’s been really good. I sold my first slime at a fundraising fair for the local Guides and made £45 in a day.

“My website is live and I’m really excited to start taking orders. I’ve had to learn Excel to see if we are making any money.”

Megan, who is a pupil at Awsworth Junior School, said: “I started making jewellery over a year ago in my little play house in my back garden that my mum converted into a jewellery workshop.”

She is aiming to expand her business via the online craft site Etsy. Megan said: “All my spare time I get I make jewellery. I love making bracelets and earrings and showing people how to do it.” 

Both will be present at the next Erewash Partnership networking event on 11th December.

Erewash Borough Councillor Curtis Howard, who is Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning, said: "Hats off to Bea and Megan for showing drive and ambition so they can lead the next generation of entrepreneurs in our borough. They may be aged just ten and eleven but when it comes to commerce both have clearly done their homework.”