Three Talented, Creative Girlpreneurs
These girls’ talents are not just hobbies anymore—they’re businesses with causes and missions that help others.
If your daughter has a passion for creative hobbies—like writing and painting—she can turn that into a money-making venture, as well. Here are three creative entrepreneurs who are inspiring other young creatives to follow their dreams (and give back while they’re at it).
Young Wordsmith
A voracious reader with a knack for writing, 11-year-old Emma Sumner is a best-selling self-published author from Folsom, California. Her book, The Fairies of Waterfall Island, is a 10,000-word, 120-page story about four fairies that topped the Amazon charts in 2017. Emma’s self-publishing journey began when she wanted to share a story about fairies and magic with her cousins. She wrote the first few sentences of her story on paper. Her dad, who is also a self-published author, set up a series of challenges so she could hone her skills as a writer and computer user. She didn’t have a book agent or a publishing company to back her up, but she completed her book in just 12 months and sold it on Amazon. Proceeds from the first three months of the book’s sales were donated to Autism Speaks, a non-profit advocacy group that sponsors autism research. Emma is currently working on her second book, a prequel to The Fairies of Waterfall Island, which she plans to turn into a book series.
Heartfelt, Helpful Artist
Autumn de Forest is a 17-year-old art prodigy who started painting when she was five years old and has sold over $7 million in artworks. She’s been to the Vatican City to accept an International Giuseppe Sciacca Award for Painting and Art from Pope Francis. She’s also worked with former First Lady Michelle Obama to raise awareness for the importance of self-expression and arts in education. Not bad at all for a self-employed teenager, right?
When she’s not painting or partnering with art galleries or brands, Autumn conducts art workshops for students in underprivileged schools and spreads the important message of following your heart and doing what you love to do. She plans to level up this advocacy of hers through her Autumn de Forest Foundation, an Etsy-type marketplace where young artists can showcase and sell their paintings and merchandise. A majority of the proceeds from the online sales will automatically go to a college fund set up for all the featured artists.
Artist with a Cause
Carley Schor, who just turned 18 this year, is the Founder and CEO of Carley’s Kicks for Cure. Even with a growing company under her belt, Carley identifies as an artist who decorates sneakers first and foremost. As a successful young entrepreneur since 2014, she works hard to support the education of Long Island’s autistic youth by donating proceeds from her business to Nassau Suffolk Services for Autism.
With her five years’ worth of creative entrepreneurship experience, Carley’s able to share some wise, practical tips for aspiring entrepreneurs: “Find something that you truly enjoy. A business takes a lot of time and dedication. Be passionate about your work, and if you choose to work with an organization or charity, choose a cause that is personal and close to your heart. It gives you that much more motivation and pride in your work.”
Creativity is an essential trait for a successful young entrepreneur. Having talent is an added bonus. And these three entrepreneurs are dedicated to their craft as well as their business goals, social causes, and future plans.
If you see potential in your daughter’s abilities, you can discuss this with her and ask if she’d be interested in entering the creative field as an entrepreneur. You can support and nurture her passions and provide purposeful guidance for self-motivation and drive. And, perhaps most importantly, you can be her biggest supporter and engage in positive dialogue with her.
