Photo credits: Liana Cancian
The phrase youth entrepreneur often conjures visions of kids at lemonade stands on hot summer days. But some young people have a different view. And intention.
Take Lauren Cancian of Caledon East. At 9 years of age she is the youngest participant to date in our Young Local Talent series. But her talent, business acumen, dedication and sense of purpose belie her youthful age.
Lauren is very good at creating wearable crafts. One day the grade 3 student who attends St Cornelius Catholic Elementary School saw an older girl making something she liked and decided she could do that as well. And she did. In fact a couple of YouTube videos later the self-taught artist’s creativity was manifesting itself in some very saleable pieces.
Lauren has developed an enviable list of sought after products. While she says that bracelets and pacifier clips are among her favourite creations she also produces nifty necklaces, pretty phone charms, mask necklaces, and personalized lanyards.
And then there’s purpose. Getting involved in a good cause. Community spirit. It’s something that Lauren inherently understands and she has volumes of it.
“There are lots of kids in our community that don’t have the opportunities that I have,” she states simply. Her grasp of that reality is what inspired her to set a goal to raise $1,000 for Caledon Community Services’ Kidz In Caledon last fall. Over the course of 4 months Lauren dedicated a lot of time to making and selling her fashionable jewellery. In the end she raised $1,200 and plenty of awareness.
And Lauren did not rest on her laurels. In February she took part in CCS’s Coldest Night of the Year and raised another $350.
Lauren and her family are nominated for a Family VolunTree Award for the Volunteer MBC V-Oscars which take place on April 21st.
I asked Lauren how she felt about the CCS experience. “It made me feel very proud and happy that I helped kids in our town,” she smiles.
She also says she would like to continue on this path and hopes to soon be coming out with new products. Follow her on Instagram @LaurenLoveProject to view and purchase items.
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