Oct. 18—If the Children's Business Fair held here Saturday is any indication, Lee County's business future is destined for success.

About 17 young entrepreneurs set up booths in the parking lot behind the Buggy Building where they displayed their handcrafted wares that were offered for sale in the fair's third year.

About 400 people came out for the event that was held in conjunction with the Farmer's Market.

Makayla Gervais, 9, sat behind a table where her loom-band products were on display. They included bracelets, rings and more — such as the baked goods contributed by her mother.

Using a pink tool that she called a "picker," she demonstrated how the bands were looped and woven together to create the finished projects that came in a variety of colors. One set of bracelets were colored brown and green to show support for the military, Makayla said.

"It began as a little hobby, so I decided to try it for the business fair," she said.

Across the way, Kayden Thompson, 10, stood behind her hand-painted canvas designs, available in a standard size as well as smaller.

Thompson also created painting kits that were on sale.

They included a blank canvas, two brushes — large and small and four jars of instant paint.

"Not everyone would want to buy a (painted) canvas," Kayden said. "Little kids like them to create. They've sold really well. It's everything you need."

The kits were priced at $13 and an hour or so into the event, Kayden said she had "made $132 profit."

Spoken like a true entrepreneur.

Amelia Wu, 14, of Cary, manned the booth with her hand-crafted pieces of resin jewelry. The resin is poured into molds of letters, flowers, cats and more. A line of letters — designed as key chains. A supply of bookmarks sold out.

It was during the coronavirus quarantine that she learned about the craft from the Pinterest website, Amelia said.

She tried it and told her mother she wanted to start her own business.

As a teen, she had a rather unusual reason to launch a business on her own.

"I wanted to find a way to make my own money and start my own business."

A few feet away, Talyah McLean, 13, was offering homemade spa soaps for sale. She's already made her business footprint with Scents by Yaya.

"I have my own office at home," Talyah said. "My mother gave up her beloved dining room."

Her mom, Lakristyn McLean, helps her out when needed.

"Quality control," Lakristyn said with a laugh.

Talyah explained the name of her business.

"I got it from my brother (Liam, 5) when he couldn't pronounce my name," she said.

The parents of the young entrepreneurs said the fair was a great idea.

"It's really cool. I like it," said Don Gervais, Makayla's dad. "It really encourages them."

Amelia's father, Pinghui Wu, agreed.

"From a parent's perspective, it's awesome, awesome to have this experience," he said.

The fair was sponsored by the Sanford Area Growth Alliance and the Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce.

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