Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)

 

         Starting a business is a rather challenging and demanding for some people.

However, this student found a great way to make it easy for her. Giselle Gallardo is a

15 year old sophomore and currently attending John A. Ferguson Senior High School.

Her mother and father are both first-generation Cubans. Giselle speaks and writes

Spanish very well, which will defiantly help her with her business now and in the

future. When I asked Giselle how important it was to speak a second language she

said that it was very important because she understand how beneficial it is to be

fully bilingual, especially if you happen to live I a Hispanic speaking community like Miami. Giselle started a business in creating hair bows. She started making and selling these bows as a hobby in 7^th grade. How did she come up with this? That’s the same question I asked. Giselle one day was bored playing with ribbon at her grandmothers sewing table. There she saw she could make bows. The next day she wore one to school and a lot of her friends admired it and asked her if she would sell them. Gradually a lot of girls in her school expressed an interest in buying her bows. She would make the bows in the color and theme in which they liked and before you know it she had quite a few orders to fill and had begun a business, Crazy 4 Bows Bowtique. Each bow is decorated with a logo-imprinted bottle cap; allowing whoever is wearing it to show her pride for a sports team, dance troupe, club or other organization. When asking Giselle how her business is going now that she is in High School, she said it has been very well. She has sold to local dance studios and individuals. However, Giselle said she is now trying to take her business to the next level. Giselle has competed in a couple of competitions since entering high school. Last year Giselle won first place in the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) South Florida Youth Bizplan Challenge. She won $1,500 to use in developing her business. Giselle also competed this past month in the NFTE Elevator Pitch Competition. Unfortunately she did not make it to the semi-final although she was told that she had a great chance she will. If Giselle would have won, her prize would have been $25,000.00, which she would have been able to use to expand her business, or use it towards a scholarship. On the good side, she said it was a great experience overall and that she is going to use this to encourage her rather than discourage her. Giselle was one of the 35 top youth entrepreneurs from 24,000 NFTE students. As for the company’s future, Giselle would like to keep the business even if it’s on the side. She expects her business to expand greatly. “If I see that there is an opportunity for growth, then I will most likely continue with the business, and incorporate some family or immediate friends as the business grows to work for me.” said Giselle. Ordering with Crazy 4 Bows Boutique is very simple. Think about how you would like colors of the bow to be like. Find the message or image you would like and attach it. Then follow the instructions on the order form. Just like that you will become crazy for bows. To order or to get further information on this business go to www.crazy4bows.co

 

Instagram - @crazy4bowsbowtique
Twitter - C4BBowtique

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                       Article submitter by:  Kristian Cartelle (16)

                                       Grade: 11th (Junior)

                                       School: John A. Ferguson Senior High School

                                       Interest(s): Play Baseball on the John A. Ferguson Varsity team and a part of FBN

                                                         (Ferguson Broadcasting Network)