Some people are just born with an entrepreneurial spirit. Jalen Bailey is one of those people.
Recently, the 8-year-old decided to use that fervent, dedicated entrepreneurial spirit to help make his mom’s life better. How exactly does he plan to pull it off? Easy.
His plan is to take one of his favorite hobbies, baking, and turn a profit so he can purchase his hard working mom a new house!
“I just want one that me and my mom can be happy living in,” Jalen said in an interview with TODAY.
(Source: Sharhonda Mahan) Jalen and his mother, Sharhonda.
Currently, Jalen and his mother, Sharhonda Mahan, live in a small apartment in Fresno, CA, USA. It’s all they can afford at the moment, but Jalen plans to improve their living situation through his effort and passion.
“I know Jalen wants me to have a bigger place, but I want the same for him,” Sharhonda told TODAY. “He deserves a big kitchen to cook in and a backyard to run around in.”
Jalen’s no stranger to the kitchen. n fact, he started baking when he was only 5-years-old! Earlier this July, he opened Jalen’s Bakery which operates out of his apartment’s kitchen. Since opening he’s already raised over $200.
Jalen operates his bakery from he and his mother’s apartment kitchen!
“I love baking because it’s kind of like science — and that’s my favorite subject in school,” says Jalen. “You get to put different baking materials into a bowl and make something new, which is what science is all about.”
Since opening Jaen’s Bakery, he’s mainly serviced and provided his community with quality baked goods. However, he’s created a GoFundMe page in an attempt to gain support on a nationwide (even global) scale!
Learn more about Jalen’s bakery and his efforts to help his mom! Visit page 2 for more!
Jalen didn’t randomly develop this entrepreneurial spirit just this year. In fact, he’s been trying to establish himself for quite sometime. At the age of 6, he started an annual back-to-school drive at a local homeless shelter and made bracelets to sell at school carnivals.
He also took a business class in early June to learn how to start a lemonade stand, but decided to use those same skills to instead open a bakery.
“Everyone in the family kept telling him how good he is at baking and suggested doing that instead of a lemonade stand,” his Mother said. “He agreed with them and the very next day, he was filling out an application to get his baking license.”
Jalen works hard to make his passion his profession!
As soon as Jalen acquired his license, he attended his first business mixer. While networking and socializing with local bakers, he met one who offered to donate him an oven. From there, he could bake even more cookies, muffins and banana bread!
Amazing, right? Well it doesn’t stop there.
He apparently aspires to have his own baking show on network television someday! But for now, he recognizes the importance of the step-by-step process.
“Once I get enough practice, maybe I’ll start making videos to post,” claims Jalen.
What does mom have to say about her son’s effort?
“I’ve never met anyone who loves being in the kitchen as much as he does,” Sharhonda Mahan said. “He’s got a real passion for baking and I’m so happy he’s using it in such a rewarding way.”
One thing’s for sure, this kid’s plan to help his mom is far from half-baked! Best of luck in your future endeavors Jalen!
[H/T] TODAY
READ: Curiosity in children: Is it a good thing or bad thing?
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