to advancing the rich tradition of black business achievement.
EDEN Body Works
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Hair Care. PRINCIPAL: Jasmine Lawrence. LOCATION: Mount Laurel, NJ
Initially, Jasmine Lawrence’s plan was to create an all natural hair care product that really worked. Now, this 14-year-old CEO is establishing distribution channels and negotiating prices with suppliers for her successful company, EDEN Body Works.
Motivated by her own desire for hair care products without harsh chemicals, the Mount Laurel, New Jersey, resident founded EDEN Body works in 2004 after being selected to attend a business camp sponsored by the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship.
Under Lawrence’s leadership, EDEN Body works has experienced tremendous growth with a rapidly expanding customer base. Her products, such as the jojoba all natural hair oil spray, are currently being sold in seven states. The line is being expanded to include other hair and beauty products, such as shampoo and conditioners, hair gels, and skin moisturizers.
EDEN Body work’s natural hair oil products are sold to retailers, beauty/braiding salons, and barber shops for their use and resale to their customers. Gross revenues for 2005 were $15,150. Future plans include the addition of e-commerce capabilities. www.EDENBodyWorks.net
Drive Safe
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Driver Safety Notification Signs. PRINCIPAL CEO: Chestina Perry. LOCATION: Columbia, SC
Chestina Perry, 18, recalls the pressure she faced when learning how to drive three years ago. Her inexperience behind the wheel drew horn blowing, fist shaking, and vulgar gestures from impatient drivers in busy traffic. But the safety-conscious teenager found a creative way to turn her difficult driving experience into a business opportunity.
Perry came up with the idea of asking her mother, Winnie, to make some magnetic signs that would keep other motorists from getting angry while she was on the road. Using a sign that read “New Driver in Training-Please Be Patient” made her driving experience much safer. Other drivers began to react by giving Perry room to maneuver safely in traffic.
In March 2004, Perry, along with her three nieces, started a family business called Drive Safe, which makes and sells a variety of magnetic signs for cars with messages promoting careful driving. The teenage CEO’s oldest niece Tiffanie, 12, is the president; Twana, 11, is the vice president; and Victoria, 10, is in charge of customer relations.
Since its launch, the Columbia, South Carolina-based company is experiencing tremendous success. Drive Safe, which generated $3,000 in sales last year, was awarded the official patent for Driver Safety Notification Signs in February 2005.
Honeecakes Bakery
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Homemade Cake Bakery. PRINCIPAL: Andrea Dashiell. LOCATION: Fores
tville, MD
For Andrea Dashiell, starting her own bakery business had a lot to do with her grandmother, who she said taught her to think independently and use her imagination. Now, that wisdom is evident in how the 18-year-old operates Honeecakes Bakery, which produces quality, affordable homemade cakes and pies.
Dashiell launched Honeecakes in November 2004 to satisfy the sweet tooth of members of her