Meet South Australia’s next generation of young entrepreneurs shaking up the business world
When Sam got into business people thought he was a prank caller but the joke’s on them. He’s just finished Year 12 and is already stocked in more than 40 retailers.
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From Haigh’s Chocolates to The Oodie, some of the country’s best businesses have been born in South Australia.
And while many wait until adulthood to take the leap into entrepreneurship, these young South Aussies prove it’s never too early to start chasing your business dreams.
From a young surfer’s eco-friendly surf wax company to a tween’s custom bin sticker business, meet some of the state’s best and brightest minds taking the business world by storm.
Noah Pronk – Sticky Pronk
Age: 18
Handle: @sticky.pronk
At 12 years old Noah Pronk set out to shake up the surf industry by launching his own eco-friendly surf wax business with just $20.
Now six years on and Sticky Pronk has evolved into a fully-fledged business selling his surf wax across the country.
It all began back in 2018 when Noah was tasked with starting a business with only a lobster as part of the $20 BOSS program.
“I knew I wanted to stand out from others who were doing things like baking cakes or mowing lawns,” the Novar Gardens teen said.
“I knew If I could really stand out I could maybe even turn it into a fully functional business. Everyone always says, ‘do something you enjoy’, my favourite thing to do is surfing.
“So what product could I make that involves surfing? Surf wax.”
While researching how to make the product he learnt that most companies used paraffin wax which the Year 12 student said was extremely harmful to marine life.
“When surfers use this wax the paraffin seeps into the ocean and harms our reefs, ecosystems and marine life,” he said.
“95 per cent of all surf wax on the market is made with these chemicals, meaning that around 25 million surfers are using these waxes.”
Determined to make a change, he created his own all natural, eco-friendly alternative using Australian beeswax, coconut oil, tree resin and mineral clays.
It is also packaged in re-usable tins to help keep “pesky” sand out with the teen also selling wax refills so the tin can be “reused endlessly.”
Looking back on where he started, Noah couldn’t be prouder of what he’s achieved and has high hopes for the future.
“What started as selling to friends and family has turned into a profitable business with tens of stockists across the state and country,” he said.
“Being out of school next year means big things for Sticky Pronk, I hope to expand my reach and gather new stockists here and interstate.
“Hopefully in the future Sticky Pronk will provide me with a steady stream of income which will allow me to do it as a full time job.”
For others hoping to kickstart their own business, there’s no better time to start than today, he said.
“Set aside time each week to focus on the business, for example if you always have Sunday afternoon free then you can set a reminder and do an hour or two work on it.
“Start by providing your product or service to friends and family, asking for feedback to refine the product, then expand to social media and establish an online presence.
“There will be setbacks and numerous challenges along the way but take these and turn them into learning experiences, if you are persistent enough then you may yourself one day have a profitable business!”
Sam Weavers – Sam’s Popcorn
Age: 17
Handle: @samspopcorn
After growing tired of eating the same flavoured popcorn, Sam Weaver, then aged nine, began making his own.
“People say ‘you must love popcorn to want to make your own’. No, I didn’t like other people’s popcorn and thought I could make a better product,” he said.
“I’m a little bit biased, but I think I did.”
Five years later and business is booming for the 17 year old whose popcorn is stocked in over 40 different retailers across the state, including petrol stations, supermarkets, and even Adelaide Airport and Her Majesty’s Theatre.
“I was supplying just to friends and family on the weekends and I’d make popcorn on the stove, bake caramel in the oven,” he said.
“I’m also kind of nostalgic of all the space that I used to have, because now my living room is full of industrial machines.”
While he’s loved every minute so far, it has been a challenge balancing work and school, especially during Year 12.
“As you can probably imagine, it’s been difficult to organise my business, managing orders, all that sort of stuff, and my schoolwork as well,” he said.
“I’ve had to make sure that I get everything done early so that I don’t get any backlog.
“My school’s been really supportive of me as well throughout my whole time of running Sam’s Popcorn which I’m really thankful for.”
But during the early days, it was his age that presented the greatest challenge.
“When I was younger, the main problem I had was people taking me seriously because I was calling big supplying businesses as a nine year old,” he said.
“They thought I was some kid calling to like as a joke, and they’d hang up on me.”
Joke’s on them, Sam now offers deliveries Australia-wide through his website for a range including Himalayan salt, lemon cheesecake and his best-selling salted caramel popcorn.
During his entrepreneur journey, he has used his business to raise thousands for charity, including around $30,000 for the Childhood Cancer Association.
“From the start, I really wanted to be able to raise money for a charity because at the time my grandma had cancer and because of that I wanted to donate to a cancer related charity,” he said.
“I found out about the Childhood Cancer Association online, they provide services and support for kids with cancer and their families across South Australia and the Northern Territory and I really wanted to help them with it.
“I’ve donated a little under $30,000 to them over the years which I’m really proud of and love hearing about the great work they do.”
In 2019, he was also able to donate $5,000 to an eye care hospital in Vietnam and had the opportunity to fly over to meet the staff and patients.
Having just finished his final Year 12 exams, Sam plans to study medical science at university next year but has assured that Sam’s Popcorn won’t be stopping anytime soon.
Alexa Seidel – That’s My Bin
Age: 12
Handle: @thatsmybin
Seaford Meadows kidpreneur Alexa Seidel is leaving her mark on the world – one bin sticker at a time.
The 12 year old is the brains behind That’s My Bin, designing, making and selling stickers featuring everything from house numbers to bin chickens for people to decorate their kerbside bins.
“We put out our bins with our neighbours bins and sometimes we got them mixed up, that gave me the idea to put our house number and pictures on them to know which bins are ours and brighten up the community,” Alexa said.
What started as an idea to bring a pop of colour to her street two years ago has evolved into a sticker empire with the tween now receiving orders from around the country.
But the biggest highlight has been raising over $4000 for a variety of different charities including the Hutt St Centre and Variety.
Carlo Capone – Franco’s Deli
Age: 16
Handle: @francos.deli
At 16, Carlo Capone achieved his dream of opening his own cafe last month.
Carlo was just 13 when he started working his first job at St Louis dessert cafe in Mawson Lakes and fell in love with the industry.
Serving up paninis, focaccias, toasties, high quality coffee and a range of pastries, Carlo was excited to open the eatery named after his late great-grandfather.
“I want to be there every single minute we’re open. I love that at such a young age I can call something mine. It’s very special to me,” he previously told The Advertiser.
“Age is just a number. I’m just 16 but I can only give it a go. If we do right by the customers, we put happiness on the plate, then there’s no room for failure.”
Jack Virieux – Jet and Cleo Co.
Age: 17
Handle: @jetandcleoco
Seventeen year old Jack Virieux is the brains behind handmade dog accessories business, Jet and Cleo Co which sells everything from bandannas to poo bag holders to bow ties.
The Heathfield High School student was inspired to start his business while participating in the school’s entrepreneur program after noticing a gap in the market three years ago.
“I love dogs and wanted to make cool accessories for them,” Jack previously told The Advertiser.
Luke Humphrys – Rusty Recycle Art
Age: 18
Handle: @rusty.recycle.art
Hailing from Mount Barker, Luke Humphrys is the creator of Rusty Recyle Art.
Inspired by his love of welding, he makes handmade statues and garden art out of scrap materials headed for land fill with the help of his dad and younger brother Riley.
His business began four years ago at Heathfield High School as a Year 8 project to start a business with only $20.
A finalist in the 2022 Youth Small Business Awards, Luke has also found great success exhibiting his work with the South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival.
Sienna Jones – Hair by Sienna Kate
Age: 15
Handle: @hairbysiennakate
Sienna Jones is already chasing her dreams, taking her passion for hair styling to launch her own business, Hair by Sienna Kate.
Based in Aldinga Beach, the talented braider is a regular at local markets and the go to for competition-ready braids within the cheer community.
In March, she won the Business, Employment, and Social Enterprise award at the City of Onkparinga Councils Youth Recognition Awards.
Maddy, 12 – Maddy Melts
Age: 12
Handle: @maddy.melts
Based in the western suburbs, Maddy Melts sells handmade, scented soy blend candles.
Maddy, 12, began running her business last year and takes time and care to ensure her products are the best they can be.
As a young entrepreneur, Maddy enjoys running her own business and creating her own products.
Teagan McClure – Sassy Scrunchies
Age: 18
Handle: @sassy_scrunchiestm
Handsewn and crafted with love, Teagan McClure was inspired to put her sewing skills to good use and start Sassy Scrunchies.
Teagan’s products include bags, bookmarks, key rings, badges, bracelets and of course, her signature scrunchies.
You can find Teagan’s bright and colourful creations at various markets across the southern suburbs.
Ollie Jabs – Buddy’s Bites
Age: 12
Riverland entrepreneur Ollie Jabs was inspired by his best mate Buddy the staffy cross to start his own business creating healthy dog treats.
Starting out making treats for his furry friend to enjoy at home, it wasn’t long before the 12-year-old’s business grew.
While juggling a business can be challenging, Ollie has support from mum, Ally, and sisters, Claudia and Emilia, who help with stamping.
Bao – Bao’s Froyo & Acai
Age: 18
Handle: @baos.adl
Eighteen year old Bao is on a mission to spread smiles and happiness through food, namely frozen yoghurt.
It’s this mission that inspired him to open Bao’s Froyo and Acai at Paradigm Zone in Gawler Place last month.
He also shares behind the scenes glimpses into the life of a teen business owner with his followers on TikTok and Instagram.
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