Getting an
Early Start Leucadia’s Youngest ENTREPRENEURS by Seth Williams
R
ecent visitors and regular patrons of the Leucadia Farmers’ Market have had the opportunity to meet its youngest entrepreneurs: Josh Herz, 10, and Harrison
Herz, 8. As the owners of Yard Critters, the brothers make, paint and sell decorative concrete animal, plant and insect sculptures, designed to brighten up San Diego lawns baked by the hot summer sun. Josh, a Carmel Valley fourth-grader, explains that the idea for the business was inspired by 2009 water restrictions mandated by the San Diego County Water Authority. “We thought it would be good to start this business because people can’t use a lot of water on their lawns,” says Josh. With just a little help from their dad, the brothers create their whimsical crit-
ters by filling molds of insects, plants and animals with concrete. After the critters dry for two days, the boys apply concrete primer, wait another day and hand paint their miniature masterpieces. They use durable and colorful outdoor latex paints to put the finishing touches on Caleb the Caterpillar, Mike the Mushroom, Laura the Ladybug, Timmie the Turtle, Sam the Snake and Susie the Snail. Initially, business was slow, but after only two Sundays at the farmers market,
Yard Critters is in the black. The boys’ impressive entrepreneurial track record gives them good reason to believe in the success of Yard Critters—Josh and Harrison run two other successful businesses. J&H Lego Gifts offers custom party favors made with Legos, and J&H Basing and Terrain, launched about a year ago, cre- ates specially designed, cast bases and terrain for a fantasy miniatures game called Warhammer. The accessories, sold in sets of five and 10, have netted the boys hun- dreds of dollars, according to Harrison. Orders have come from as far away as Sweden and New Zealand. Mom Julie notes some of the
benefits the boys have realized from all their business ventures. “It’s exciting to see them reaping the non-monetary ben- efits of running their own enterprises,” she says, “particularly, the better under- standing of time and money manage- ment, the responsibility that comes with filling orders, learning that profits are
what is left over after costs are subtracted from revenues, and giving some of their profit to charity. Running these businesses also helps them understand that some- thing doesn’t just happen—you have to make it happen.” Yard Critters can be painted to order, purchased online and shipped anywhere in the U.S. “I think they make the lawn look really cool,” says Harrison, a Carmel Valley second-grader. The boys’ business follows their philanthropic mindset, too: 10 percent of each sale goes to the World Wildlife Fund, a charity chosen by Josh and Harrison.
For more information: Yard Critters,
Yardcritters.biz; J&H Lego Gifts,
JHLego.com; J&H Basing and Terrain,
JHBases.com.
Find us in your local health food stores or at:
reddremedies.com 888.453.5058
Quality and purity guaranteed. Laboratory tested.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
When your health is “in order” which would you like to do first?
Redd Remedies award-winning natural products help you put your health in order.
natural awakenings
August 2010
27
Enjoy life without anxiety
Work in the garden without sneezing
Play more golf without pain
Wake up refreshed without fogginess
Feel energetic throughout the day without coffee
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56