My name is Mihir and I am in 5th grade at Ridgewood Avenue School in Glen Ridge, New Jersey.
My business at TREP$ was ‘The Coolest Bookmarks in Town’, and I created wooden bookmarks. I was initially having a difficult time coming up with an idea for the product, and was inspired by a paper bookmark that my dad got me from Vietnam. I wanted to create a bookmark that would be long lasting, and draw the residents of Glen Ridge to purchase.
I decided on a wooden bookmark, and came up with the design which included gas lamp with 07028 (glen ridge zip code), and on the other side the words ‘Glen Ridge’. It took me many attempts to finally come up with the design that I finally decided to make into bookmarks.
My dad helped me a lot, as I needed to find someone in USA, who could convert my design into the wooden bookmarks, and also at a cost that would allow me to sell at TREP$ Marketplace. It felt great, when I was able to find someone who agreed to convert my design into bookmarks using three different types of wood, Cherry, Maple, and Walnut, and I offered either a black or red tassel with these bookmarks.
During the day of the Marketplace, my mom was my biggest help. She helped me setup, and keep organized before & during the Marketplace. I was feeling both nervous and excited, as I was not sure if my bookmarks would sell.
It was a great experience, and I enjoyed it very much. People have contacted me for bookmarks after the Marketplace. I have delivered many orders in town. I have also had orders for my bookmarks from past residents of Glen Ridge who are now in the neighboring towns, and even in other states, who found out about them from their friends in Glen Ridge.
This experience made me realize, that there is is an opportunity to create new products which may not at first just come to mind, but with thinking & researching, an idea can be developed into a product. The Marketplace also gave me the opportunity to practice my conversation skills, as this is something I am usually not that comfortable. It allowed me to describe my idea & product, and then make the sale happen.
All of this is new skills that I got to experience, and believe will help me in future as I get older, and interact with more people.
Note: Mihir participated in the TREP$ entrepreneurship education program as afterschool enrichment right at school. This extracurricular activity is a project based learning experience that helps kids gain an entrepreneurial mindset, financial literacy and life skills to improve their futures.
