Page 26 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2024

PEOPLE
Young Female Entrepreneurs on the Up and Up
Women in Business is such an exciting time for South Mississippi Living magazine as it gives us
a chance to highlight so many wonderful local women who are out there giving it their all to support their families, support their dreams,
and support the Mississippi Gulf Coast. But not only are these women out there killing it in their respective fields, they make up some of the most influential and effective role models for the next generation of female entrepreneurs. Crops of young, coastal girls are popping up everywhere with products covering all aspects of a growing economy. They are young, creative, and determined to make a difference in their local communities,
one product and service at a time.
For Adele Lyons, CEO of the Gulf Coast Chamber
of Commerce, promoting small businesses is
what she’s all about and she knows that taking
that first step is essential to any new enterprise. “It’s exciting to see young girls creating their own businesses and learning the process of a successful venture. It’s never too early to understand how the business world works and the lessons that come along with taking risks and being creative.”
We know there are so many talented and brilliant young business owners on the Mississippi Gulf
Coast but check out just a few!
BUSINESS FOR GRADES:
OWNER, JULEP R.
What do you do when you love gummy bears, but you also love chocolate? You combine the two! Beary Chocolaty marries the scrumdiddlyumptious flavor
of milk chocolate with the lovable silhouette of your favorite gummy candy into one delicious bite.
When presented with the challenge of starting a business from the ground up for her school’s EXPLORE program, Julep R. knew chocolate
bears were the perfect idea. After developing her plan
and securing the necessary capital from “family investors,” this third grader at Nativity BVM Catholic School had everything she needed to
make and sell over 550 chocolate bears at her school’s Downtown Nativity event. Julep sold out by day’s end, earning her the top spot in revenue.
“Making and selling bears for my Beary Chocolaty business was so much fun and I loved sharing my business with my classmates,” she says. We think she definitely earned an A+!
26 | September 2024
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
story by
Kimberly C. Rasmussen