For Hodge sisters Addison and Devin, the spirit of entrepreneurship runs in the family.

Name: Addison Hodge
Age: 12
Grade: 6th
School you attend: Homeschool

Where did you get the idea for Clean Core Bracelets?
I got the idea a couple of years ago during the pandemic. I saw the positive impact that not driving was having on the environment. So when I saw the impact we had from not driving I realized that I could do something to help. I always liked making bracelets and being artistic so I did some research and found some recycled beads to make these bracelets. Then I decided I wanted to donate a portion of my proceeds to an environmental cause. Then I made some bracelets for my sisters and some friends to start wearing. It helped me test it out and people really liked them and wanted them. Then I decided to make an Instagram page and it took off from there!

What skills did you learn to start your own business?
My parents made me create a business plan. That was hard but it helped me a ton. I have learned how to take an idea and turn it into something. I’ve learned how to talk to people, how to market, doing research to find the best products to use, and then I’ve taken classes to keep getting better at making jewelry. Talking to people about my business has helped me gain more confidence. I also have had to learn how to budget my money. Sometimes I want to buy certain beads but I try to keep my costs down so I can keep the bracelets affordable.

Where do you source your materials and how did you know where to look to find vendors for these materials?
Some of the items I have found online. Some things were hard to get in the last couple years, but I order from there if I really like the product. We found a local store, Bead World, that sells beads and they have been so good to me! They have helped me find recycled beads and have encouraged me to take classes and do local farmers markets. They have encouraged me to start an Etsy business which I have not started yet.

What has been the response from the public?
I started selling at a salon called Stash House. My aunt introduced me to them and they have both been so helpful to me. That gave me the courage to ask another salon if I could sell there as well. In December of 2021 I did my first farmers market. My bracelets were a big hit! People really like the story behind my bracelets and the packaging as well (all recycled materials).

What’s been the most challenging part about having your own business?
Being a kid, sometimes people question if I am really doing all this work or if I buy the bracelets and resell them. Sometimes people don’t take me as seriously as I would like for them too. But I love making the bracelets myself and it’s fun when people believe in what I do and finding such great people to support me.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
I think I want to be a pediatric nurse when I grow up. I like the idea because I want to help kids in need and make a difference.

 

Name: Devin Hodge
Age: 10
Grade: 4th
School you attend: Homeschool

How old were you when you first picked up a spoon to start baking?
I was probably 3 or 4 when I first started baking. I always made cookies with my mom. We made chocolate chip cookies, snicker-doodles, no bake cookies, sugar cookies, all different kinds.

What inspired you to start baking?

I really liked baking with my mom and then I started watching baking shows. I like Kids Baking Championship, Barefoot Contessa, and Chopped. Every year for birthdays we make homemade birthday cakes for my family and that’s when I can be creative and really love doing it.

You’re dyslexic; how has baking helped you manage your dyslexia?

A: I think I am really smart but there are some things that are hard for me to understand and might take me some extra time or I may have to try to learn it another way. I have always liked baking and it is easy for me to understand and it’s fun! I feel confident because I know what I am doing when I bake. When I have a hard time with school, I can go to the kitchen and it feels good to know that I can do really great things in the kitchen.

Baking Devinstrations is a clever name. How did you come up with it?
One night I was talking with my sisters and we were pretending to do a You Tube show and I said, I was going to do a Devinstration. My sisters and I thought it was really funny and it just stuck.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be a baker. I want to have my own bakery and I want to sell cakes, cupcakes, cookies, pies, tarts, brownies, blondies, pretty much everything!