From homemade fire starters to crocheted ducks and dog treats, young entrepreneurs showed off their creativity and business savvy at this year’s Kid’s Biz Camp in Carman.
Hosted by Community Futures Heartland, the camp ran Aug. 18–22 at the Carman Arena, giving 9- to 12-year-olds a crash course in business development. The week concluded with a bustling pop-up market at the Carman Farmers Market, on Friday where campers sold their products to the public.
“This is the day all their lessons come together to help them succeed at their new business,” said Penny Schoonbaert, CFH’s community economic development coordinator. “They learn that marketing is important, but presentation and a ready smile go a long way, too.”
Throughout the week, participants explored the fundamentals of entrepreneurship—brainstorming ideas, setting budgets, making products and marketing them. Alongside classroom lessons, they took part in business tours, including Carman Granite, Irwin Fitness Solutions, and Beukema Pneumatics. Kimberley Jensen Doty from Victorious Financial Services shared insights into customer service.
Schoonbaert said the continued support of local businesses makes the program possible. “We want kids to learn, but also to have fun—and that wouldn’t be possible without the many local businesses that open their doors to us,” she said.
Each camper brought their own passion and problem-solving skills to the table.
Sam MacNair, inspired by his pets, launched Little Pup Bites. “My dogs at home gave me the idea,” he said of his homemade treats made from chicken or beef broth, one egg and whole wheat flour.
Colby’s Custom Prints showcased 3D-printed gadgets such as fidgets, card holders and an Apple Watch charging stand. “Here I have a hockey stick holder,” said Colby. “I picked this because I like hockey and lots of people here in Carman do too.” When his first printing filament failed, he didn’t give up. “The first type of filament I tried didn’t print well, so I decided to try other kinds until I found one that worked.”
Connor Denheyer, founder of CDOG Stickers, tapped into local pride with decals. “I chose to do stickers as my biz because I have a Cricut machine at home and I knew it wouldn’t take very long to make them,” he said. One of his designs, a Boyne River canoe scene, was inspired by his own trips. “I was trying to capture my local customers’ interest because I know they also have a connection to the river.”
Byron Lepp used science for B Fresh, experimenting with vinegar, baking soda and pickling salt. “After the fizzing reaction, the leftover material can then absorb moisture from the air,” he explained.
Esme O’Connor created Esme’s Flames to help with camping. “I have a hard time starting fires without help from my dad, so I decided to make these fire starters,” she said.
Danielle Wiebe turned a hobby into Danielle’s Hand Painted Cards and Bookmarks. “I started painting with my grandma and then that inspired me to use that skill for my business,” she said.
Avery Klassen crocheted colourful slip-proof hangers. “With these hangers, your clothes won’t slip or leave rust stains on your shirts from the metal hangers,” she said. She credited her grandmother for teaching her. “The thinner strings took me more problem solving and time than the thicker ones, so I ended up making more of the thicker yarn ones.”
Lily Burns found a way to repurpose scrap wood from her dad’s job. “My dad brings home scrap pieces of wood from work and then I thought that I could paint them,” she said of her rustic décor signs.
Meagan Ndou crocheted ducks and chapstick holders under the brand Loops and Knots. “I have been crocheting for a while and chose these designs because I wanted to learn how to crochet something new,” she said. She kept costs low by sourcing yarn at Walmart. But she admitted her timing could improve. “If I was to do this again, I would try to manage my time better,” she laughed. “Last night I was up really late trying to finish them and lost out on sleep.”
Peyton Ziso diversified Totes & Co. with handmade tote bags and bracelets. “I added up the cost of my materials and then decided how much profit I wanted from each item,” she said. “I decided to have the totes and the bracelets because I thought that I could then make more money if I had more types of things to sell.”
Aria McIntosh combined pet care and crafts with Aria’s Paws and Pearls. “I found that the mix was too crumbly and it wasn’t able to keep its shape in the molds, so then I added more water to fix this,” she said of her homemade dog treats. She paired them with dog-themed keychains to round out her product line.
Schoonbaert said the young entrepreneurs impressed her with their innovation. “Every year the kids surprise us with how creative and resilient they are,” she said. “Those skills will serve them long after the camp is done. Ken Reimer, General Manager with Community Futures Heartland added, “The kids this week have been great. They were eager to learn from day 1. Most of them sold out of product today and some even received custom orders for later. I hope they come back next year and bring their friends.”
