“Over the past year, check teen startups have been on the rise with teenagers taking the risk to put themselves out there, decease ” according to StartupNation.com. Changes in the economy, pharmacy layoffs, and downsizing in major companies or trends in technology – whatever the reason, youth are finding it more lucrative to start their own businesses instead of working for someone else. The traditional lemonade stand, lawn mowing, or babysitting businesses are becoming things of the past. The “millennials” have become much more business savvy and innovative in their approach to making money. Technology, online businesses, and fashion have become the core markets by which youth are turning that $10 per week allowance into millions of dollars.
One young lady has decided to take her financial future into her own hands. At only age 14, Maya Criss decided that now is the time to start planning for her future. No more depending on parents for movie money, spending money or just money for those extra things all girls like to have – clothes and cell phones. Maya has taken her weekly allowance and reinvested it into a profitable business. In her first 90 days, she turned a $200 investment into $1000 in total revenue. In 2013, while cleaning out the garage, Maya realized that she has an overabundance of graphic t-shirts and began to think about other ways she could reuse them. Like many teens, she had so many t-shirts that were considered her “favorite” and she just did not want to get rid of them, but she knew if she did not do something with them her mother would donate them to the Goodwill. 
She had to figure out a way to take her favorite shirts and reuse them while maintaining the design. Maya stated, “I kept shirts from elementary school field day, volunteer activities, sports, and all the cartoon shirts from over the years just because I thought they were cool and I had a lot of memories from wearing them, but I needed a way to use them for something else”. In October 2013, Maya started her first home-based company, BaNue, which stands for Beautiful N You. She used recycled t-shirts to make scarves and handbags.
Now, like most teenage girls, reality television and the trends in fashion that are demonstrated on music videos have had a major influence on the attire and the way in which youth of today dress. Two of the biggest trends in accessories are scarves and handbags. Scarves serve as a major accessory for both men and women as they complement their attire, bring about a sense of fashion, and keep you warm during those frigid winter months. Handbags, on the other hand serve a much larger purpose. Handbags are considered an extension of the woman’s ensemble and her personality. The rule for handbags of today are the more detailed, unique, and bigger… the better.
The concept of BaNue came from her challenges in school. “Being a middle school student was a major challenge for me”, says Maya. “I was not one of the popular girls. I made good grades and was active in church, so most kids just did not understand me”. Studies show that it is more challenging being a middle school girl than any other time in adolescence. By actively participating in extracurricular activities, sports, or having a hobby, you can better manage the pressures associated with the teenage years. Maya said, “kids always picked on me, but I did not care – I just wanted to be me and I was determined to let them see that I am a good person even if I don’t look or dress the way they thought I should”. BaNue was Maya’s way to express her creativity, to have an outlet, and make some extra money. With the launch of BaNue, she used social media to help her market her products. She posted pictures on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest and before you knew it, she had orders. As the holiday season approached, Maya was taking orders from 5-7 scarves and handbags per customer. In the weeks leading to the Christmas holiday, Maya sold over 40 scarves and several handbags and lunch bags.
However, success did not stop there for this teen entrepreneur. Maya’s fascination with natural hair and the desire to understand the basics of beauty became her next area of interest. While sporting her all natural, chemical free hair, Maya began to look into natural products for the daily management of her hair while ensuring its health and elasticity. Again, using her favorite tool, the internet, Maya began her research quest to find just the right products for her hair. Much to her surprise, many of the chemicals she tried to avoid were hidden in the very “natural” hair products she was using. So, Maya turned to the kitchen and began making her own all natural and organic hair products. BaNue has now added another line to its products, natural hair care. Using her mother’s favorite cooking utensils and basic items found in the kitchen, she began experimenting with different combinations of natural items to develop a wide variety of hair products. From sprays to oils, hair butters and more, Maya has been able to solve her hair care issues. Not only that, but she is now working on her first book (coming in 2014) that discusses natural hair care, products, styles, and more. Maya’s fascination with natural hair has begun to lead her into a consultative role. Many adults now ask Maya questions regarding hair and how she can help them with their hair. During a consultation with Samantha Thompson, Maya advised her on the proper use of moisturizers, different styling methods, and ways to best manage her hair. Ms. Thompson states, “I was amazed at the wealth of knowledge she has obtained at such a young age. As an adult, I think more adults should listen to our young people as they hold a vast amount of knowledge and we need to really take stock in her gifts and talents”.
When asked what is entrepreneurial spirit to you, Maya stated “it is having passion for what you are creating and the determination to make a difference in your life and not allowing people to take your focus off of what you want to accomplish”. Maya is one young lady that has demonstrated that despite the obstacles faced by most teens, you can do whatever you want if you put your mind to it. Maya says, “Not having a parent to push you is no excuse – sometimes you just need to push yourself and stop blaming others when you don’t try”. She said, “I want BaNue to show other teens they can be beautiful in their own skin and not have to worry about being teased by others”. BaNue’s main purpose is to demonstrate the beauty in you by making a decision to love yourself. When you make a decision to follow your passion, work hard, and research for understanding, your dreams can come true, no matter what the age.
By: Marcy Williams
CEO Kollege and Kareer 4 Youth, LLC
Photographs by: Precise Events and Photography
