Meet the 8-Year-Old Entrepreneur Who Created an Empowering Clothing Line During Pandemic
While homeschooling during the pandemic, 8-year-old Fraser Smithard-Powell started his clothing brand, with his clothes and accessories incorporating inspirational messages aiding people in need and those struggling to cope during the pandemic.
The Torridon Primary School student created his “Never Give Up” sweatshirt with the assistance of his mother, Sheri, and a pressing machine that he uses in his bedroom under tight supervision.
Bored of being homeschooled, the 8-year-old used clothing design as an outlet, creating a brand centered around affirmations and perseverance.
Fraser said: “I help with the heat pressing, I do vinyl, we use the machine, I write thank you for ordering my items and I put 'from Fraser’.”
Nervous about his initial sale, Fraser wondered if anyone from his school would be interested in buying his products. With his mum's supervision, he then created an Instagram account, established his brand name and to his surprise received clicks and buys on his designs as friends from school became supportive of his business.
The eight-year-old said: “I was happy and at the same time I was scared because I didn’t know if anyone else was going to buy it.
They went on Instagram, tapped on my account, follow, like, buy."
Fraser gave Dr Alex George of Love Island a hat when they met at Lewisham Hospital, and the reality TV personality and A&E doctor subsequently posted a photo of himself wearing it on Instagram, garnering over 600 comments.
The schoolboy went on to say that he has a strong sense of responsibility for those who are less fortunate and has been eager to give back some of the profits he has made from the brand.
Fraser contributed £20 worth of chocolate eggs to his elementary school and £25 towards Easter eggs for the homeless after establishing his firm in February 2021.
Fraser states that he feels sad for, “People who are homeless," as they have no choice but to live on the floor. “Think about sleeping on that, in a tent with no covers, no anything. Sitting in the cold," Fraser continued.
Fraser’s mum Sheri is instilling the importance of kindness and contentment, why it's necessary to give back, which has helped him develop compassion and says,
“It’s not money that makes you rich, it's the stuff you have around you.
Family and friends."
Further, Sheri believes that there should be more entrepreneurial lessons taught in primary school as this will be beneficial for kids to learn about entrepreneurship and finance from an early age.
“Money doesn't get you everywhere in life, being kind, a nice person, giving back and being grateful for what you've got does," Sheri says.
Fraser has set high goals for himself and remains focused as his business continues to grow with the support of his mother.
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