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Has the cold and snowy weather made you long for sunny days when you could be playing or skateboarding outside? Business owner Charlie Reynolds, the 13-year-old creator of Bad Cat Fingerboards, has a solution right at your fingertips! Fingerboarding is a miniature version of skateboarding. But instead of using your legs, you use your fingers! I sat down with Charlie to learn more about his business and his success this year.
Charlie uses high-quality wood to craft his Bad Cat Fingerboards which he sold at YouthBiz Marketplace this year. Browse his products on his Instagram account: @Bad_CatFingerboards.
Charlie got into finger boarding about two years ago and immediately fell in love with the sport and the community. He started his business because he was tired of buying other people’s fingerboards and thought he could make them better—and he was right! A key is starting with strong, high-quality wood, which Charlie dyes with fun colors. Then he uses the wood to create uniquely-designed fingerboards and accessories.
Even though he has only had his business for a short time, Charlie has worked to grow it every day. He has made over $1,000 dollars so far, and despite COVID-19, Charlie finds new business opportunities all the time.
Charlie gives one of his Bad Cat Fingerboards a test drive.
One of the opportunities Charlie discovered was the YouthBiz Marketplace. After attending International Towne and joining the “Run Your Own Business” Summer Camp, Charlie participated in his first ever YouthBiz Marketplace earlier this month. In preparation, he attended a Marketplace Bootcamp workshop to help him prepare. Charlie learned all about his target market, his competition, how to price his products, and how he should advertise. He also said the workshop “helped me focus on what I needed to get done.” All this information helped Charlie have a successful Marketplace and make some new sales!
Charlie is definitely living up to his advice of “do something you like so that you can stay engaged and have fun!” You can check out Charlie’s Instagram account @Bad_CatFingerboards to see his products and some awesome “how to” videos. If you are interested in any of Charlie’s products, you can email him at: BadCatFB@gmail.com.
Has Charlie inspired you to start a business? YouthBiz can help! Upcoming workshops include how to create a business plan, how to transform common household items into awesome products, and even a workshop where you can meet other young entrepreneurs like Charlie! For more information and to register, visit our YouthBiz Workshops page today!
