FLEX ABY is boosting young entrepreneurs to be tomorrow’s job creators

ALBANY — Ten teen-run businesses are turning their principles’ passions into profits, from artists and bakers to jewelry makers and also a tailor. On Friday, the up-and-coming entrepreneurs showed off their skills.

The 10 businesses are semifinalists in the second year of the FLEX (Foundational Leadership and X-perience) ABY competition, part of the FLEX Georgia program. Individuals in the group got to show off their businesses at a Friday “FLEXpo” event at the Commodore Conyers College & Career (4C) Academy.

For Michiah Smith, owner of MJ’s Crafts, the bracelets she makes is a hobby that she hopes to use to help spread a message.

“The West Coast has this type of bracelets, and they stand for peace and positivity,” the 16-year-old Westover High School junior said. “I want to bring this to Albany because we don’t have a lot of that. I’m trying to start a trend.”

Smith started making bracelets at age 5 and started her business last year for the first FLEX ABY competition.

“I’ve always loved creating things, tinkering with things,” she said. “I started making bracelets as an outlet.”

The 18 businesses whose owners competed this year each received $250 loans, and all of the participants who competed in the inaugural year paid back the no-interest loans.

From the 10 semifinalists, three finalists will be selected in February, with the overall winner receiving $3,000 and awards of $2,000 for second place and $1,000 for third place. The winner on March 22 also will represent Albany in state competition.

Twin sisters A’liyha and Jalia Haskins say FLEX has given them valuable experience, from how to walk into a bank and ask for a loan to networking.

“We’ve gained more experience and more opportunities as business owners, especially on how to organize a business and being an entrepreneur, as a young business owner,” said Jalia Haskins, who serves as CFO and production manager of the business. “You never give up. You have to have a lot of hard work, and you can’t be slow.”

In its second year, Messy Treats offers up four types of brownies and employs cousin Makai Haskins.

“You have to talk about your business to a plethora of different people,” company baker and CEO A’liyha Haskins said.

The FLEX ABY program is a partnership between the Albany Area Chamber Foundation, 4C and the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission.

“The goal of FLEX ABY is to encourage innovation, enhance employability skills and create prosperity,” the Chamber Foundation’s Laura Russ, who attended the Friday expo, said.

Over the course of the program, the business owners receive mentoring from chamber members and workshops to receive tips on financing, marketing and how to price products to make a profit.

“It’s been really great to see them grow,” Russ said. “We have a great business community that supports us. Ultimately this is the next generation of job creators. It’s been really positive.”

For 16-year-old Monroe High junior Tabarr Mathis, his grandmother gave him a love for the elegant styles of the ’50s and ’60s and making clothing that generated Malik’s Perfect Stitch.

“(Those clothes) had a distinctive silhouette,” he said of the older fashions. “If you go back, they used to have an evening dress, a party dress. You look at the suits (with) President Kennedy and President Reagan. Everything was about silhouette.”

The 2-year-old business is picking up customers, Mathis said, especially among women and even some of his fellow students at 4C.

“I’m getting a lot more transactions at 4C,” he said. “I’m getting more older clients because of this event. I like the people that come in and talk to me.

“I want to make this one of my businesses, along with real estate. I would love to have a trade under my belt when I get out of college.”

Playing the alto saxophone, Michael Anderson II wasn’t a hired entertainer for the event. His Mike’s Saxes is his business, one that is helping turn his love of music into money.

For Anderson, a Westover High School senior whose father and siblings all play at least one musical instrument, traveling the world to perform is his dream.

“I have a lot of experience playing at parties,” he said. “I’ve played in my church. I love getting paid for my gigs.”

Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]
Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]