Hi, everyone, it's me - Matthew! 

The guy beside me is Chester Greenwood.  In 1873, when he was only 15 years old in Maine, he invented the very first earmuffs.  Click on his picture to read a totally interesting story about how, with his Mom's help, he coined the term "Ear Muff," marketed his invention and became a VERY successful teen entrepreneur.  Now, over a hundred years later, I'm selling a new, modern, more efficient version of ear muffs and I'm a teen entrepreneur, too!

I decided to go into business for myself because  1. I want to make money!   2. I want to learn about how business and marketing work      3. I want to be able to make a contribution to people who are challenged in some way because I understand what it's like and other people have helped me.

I chose to sell EarMitts bandless ear muffs because I wear them myself and I really, really like them and hardly anybody knows about them.  So I figured there would be less competition.  And after all, almost everybody has ears, so that's a pretty big market, right?

Right now, when I'm just starting, my Grandma is helping me a lot, especially when it comes to the writing part - she does a lot of editing!  But I'm getting better all the time and it's a lot less boring learning grammar and writing this way than in school.  My friends think it's really cool that I'm actually on the internet and several hundred people a month are checking out my website.  They think I'm making a lot of money, but one of the things I've learned so far is about building your inventory.  So except for what I donate, almost all my profits have been going right back into my business.  If I can ever get on Oprah, then I'll have some profit to spare! Don't you think this would become one of her "favorites?"  I think she'd want one of every style.

Brad Levinson is the owner of EarMitts which is part of the SG Marketing corporation out of Dallas, Texas.  He has been REALLY good to me in helping me get started with my business.  At the end of January of 2008 he has invited me to attend the Winter Outdoor Retailer Market in Salt Lake City, Utah.  I'm going to help him set up and break down the booth, attend some of the events, and help spell him at the booth.  I am super excited, and a little nervous, because there will be thousands of people there, but I know I am going to learn a whole lot.  I'll definetly be putting up pictures on my website and telling you all about it when I get back. 

Mountain West Bank in Nampa, Idaho has also been super to me and I want to thank Randy Puckett, the branch manager, and 'his girls' for going out of his way to let me have a business bank account.  Without that, I couldn't have gotten a PayPal Merchant Account, and without that I couldn't have made all the internet sales.  I've even had people ordering from places where you wouldn't think their ears would get too cold like Florida and Hawaii.  And I've gotten orders from England, Australia and Wales.  I'm having a problem processing those orders through PayPal, though, so I don't know if I'll be able to keep selling internationally.  I hope I can, though, because I've met some super nice people.  It's kind of like having a global circle of friends.

I also want to thank Gary Purse for advising me on my website, although he doesn't want to take full blame for it!  If you need a website built you can contact him at Web Guy.

I've also had to adjust my pricing because my competition adjusted theirs because of me!  Grandma says that's a compliment and a good example of the capitalist system at work and that it makes it even better for the customers because they get the very best prices you can afford to give them this way.

Below are a couple of websites that I really recommend for teens and families who want to know more about how to start their own business.  Being a teen entrepreneur isn't just about making money, it's also about being able to help others.  Last year, in November when I had just started my business online, I helped sponsor the Salvation Army and donated almost $400.00 to them.  It was a really good feeling writing out those checks each week.  I know lots of big businesses donated a lot more, but I felt good doing my part because I really believe in how much good stuff they do for people.

This year, I chose to sponsor the Special Olympics because the biggest games are going to be held here in Boise and I really think that what Eunice Kennedy Shriver has done for challenged individuals is awesome and should be supported.  I'm also going to be volunteering for fundraising and at the events. You can find out more information on the "Special Olympics" page.

At the bottom of the page is a picture of my 11 year old sister, Amber.  She likes to help me sell when I set up a booth somewhere.  She's actually a pretty good salesman because she likes to talk!  My Grandma has promised her that she can have her own business, too.  But that won't be until this summer.  When she does get it going, though, I'll be telling you about it.

Be sure to check out the websites below and let other people know about them, too.  If you would like for me to post any of your comments, please e-mail me directly until I get my blog going. 

Thanks again for all of your support everyone.                 Matthew

I really recommend checking out this website. Young Biz has it all!  Bonnie Drew is one of the co-founders.  She wrote "Fast Cash for Kids,"  a book I used to help me with my basic business plan. Young Biz even has a Teen Club that's awesome!  And they've got a whole lot of stuff for youth ages 9-12, too.  If you are a teen interested in having your own business and being an entrepreneur, Young Biz can help in every way.  And if you're an adult wanting to help, even on a school or community level, boy is this the place to look for help doing it!     CHECK IT OUT!

  NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR TEACHING ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Founded in 1987 by Steve Mariotti, a former business executive and entrepreneur, while he was a public high school teacher in New York City's South Bronx.  NFTE began as a program to prevent dropout and improve academic performance among students who were at risk of failing or quitting school.  Combining his business background with his desire to teach at-risk students, Steve discovered that when low-income youth are given the opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship, their innate "street smarts" can easily develop into "academic smarts" and "business smarts."  Through entrepreneurship, youth discover that what they are learning in the classroom is relevant to the real world.

NFTE is widely viewed as a world leader in promoting entrepreneurial literacy among youth.  When young people participate in our programs they begin to unlock their unique entrepreneurial creativity, have a greater understanding of the free enterprise system, improve the quality of their lives and dare to dream for bright futures.

To date, NFTE has worked with over 150,000 young people from low-income communities in programs across the U.S. and around the world.

  Samuel Dominguez, Mott Middle School, NFTE student and Flower Retailer.

NEWS!  My little sister Amber has started her own business selling Kool Bags.
Kool Bags are thermal insulated grocery/shopping bags that use space age technology to keep your groceries and other items safe from store to home for up to three hours!  Check it out at YouthBusiness.us     (Made in the USA!)

  Special Olympics winners!