Share This Article
Gabe, pictured here with host Denise Plante, showed-off his business Gabe’s Bazaar on Colorado & Company
Gabriel “Gabe” Nagel is the successful entrepreneur behind Gabe’s Baazar. Since starting out four years ago, Gabe has tried out a number of different products before finally creating popular moisturizing massage candles and super bars. At 13 years old, Gabe’s business analysis and insight is really impressive. These qualities, along with the success of his business, have led judges to name him as a finalist in the Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition held by Young Americans Center for Financial Education.
Watch Gabe’s segment on Colorado & Company, and read more about him and his business below!
Question: Tell me a little bit about you – name, age, how long you’ve been an entrepreneur?
Answer: My name is Gabe Nagel and I started my first company, selling sawdust clay, when I was 9 years old in 4th grade. Over the next 4 years, I created various products and sold them at the twice a year Youthbiz Marketplace at the Young Americans Center for Financial Education in Cherry Creek.
Q: Do you have a website? How can customers contact you if they’d like to order one of your products?
A: Yes, I have a Wix Website I created under the name http://neuronagel.wixsite.com/gabesbazaar. Customers can contact me via my email, gabesbazaar@gmail.com. They can also purchase my product at the Gabe’s Bazaar Etsy Site.
Q: What motivated or inspired you to start a business?
A: I was motivated to start my business since I loved doing various craft projects and giving them as gifts. When my parents opened a bank account for me at the Young Americans Bank, we learned about the opportunity for selling my creations at the YouthBiz Marketplace. My father, Rufus Nagel, is an entrepreneur who started Molly’s Spirits and my mother, Maria Nagel, who is a very creative Neurovirologist, both inspired and supported me in my efforts to keep improving my business.
Q: Please share an overview about your business, Gabe’s Bazaar.
A: My goal at Gabe’s Bazaar is to create handmade products with all natural ingredients that are great for your skin. Currently I sell Moisturizing massage candles made of soy wax, shea butter, argon and avocado oil. You simply light the candle, the wax melts to a liquid at low temperature then you pour it out to moisturize. My customers love it because the moisturizering oil is warm, relaxing and contains antioxidants and vitamins that are great for dry skin. My second key product is the Super Bar which is an all-in-one moisturizer, sunscreen, deodorant, and bug repellent. It’s the one bar that does it all so you don’t have to carry 4 separate containers of product! It’s also shea butter based with a blend of essential oils. It’s non-toxic, kid-friendly and perfect for repelling the mosquitoes in Stapleton from my own personal experience. These products were recently sold at Trunk Nouveau at the Stanley Marketplace with fantastic support from the owners Chris and Stephanie and can be ordered at my Etsy site.
Q: Tell me about some of the challenges you face being a young business owner.
A: The biggest challenge was finding the perfect product that was unique, reasonably priced and desired by customers yet afforadable to create. For instance, I tried selling fused glass necklaces, but the cost of supplies and effort to make them resulted in a high price that was not competitive since many other people on Etsy sold similar necklaces. Another product was Perle bead bowls which looked great but customers realized they could just make it at home with their kids beads.
Q: What’s the best part about having your own business?
A: There are so many great things about having your own business. I would say that the best part is being able to direct the business and have freedom to choose what to do and how to do it. Plus, I get to save my profits for college. The sky’s the limit, unless of course you build a spaceship company.
Q: Would you encourage other kids to start a business? Why or why not?
A: Yes, I would. I think it is really fun and filled with valuable lessons that can be applied to future businesses ventures, including how to manage money and how to pitch products.. I get to meet really interesting people at the Youthbiz Marketplace and other venues. Importantly, it teaches kids about failure and not giving up that can be applied to life in general.
Q: Please share about your involvement with Young Americans, particularly the Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition?
A: I have sold my products at YouthBiz Marketplace twice a year for the past 4 year. Two years ago, I applied to the business competition with my fused glass necklaces. I didn’t receive an award but the judges gave very valuable comments that helped me develop my next products, including the ability to distinguish my product from those of competitors. So this year, I applied again with my moisturizing massage candles and Super Bars, both of which are unique, priced just right and enjoyed by customers. This year I am one of the finalists for my age category for these products so I am really excited to go to the Spotlight on Youthbiz Stars Gala, sell my product, and find the perfect mentor to further expand my business!
