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November 22, 2018
DENVER Since 1926
DENVER, COLORADO
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Kids become their own bosses Upcoming legislation may create new sales opportunities for young entrepreneurs BY CASEY VAN DIVIER SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
The Denver eighth-grader currently runs Gabe’s Bazaar, a business that sells two major products: massage candles that melt into lotion and Super Bars, which combine deodorant, sunscreen, moisturizer and bug repellant. Primarily, he sells his products at pop-up marketplaces and retail locations. But for young entrepreneurs like Nagel, change could be on the horizon. Sen. Angela Williams (D-33) plans to introduce 2019 legislation to allow minors to operate “occasional businesses” without a permit or license, she said. The senator was inspired Sen. Angela last May when police shut Williams down a lemonade stand in (D-33) her northeast Denver district because it did not have a temporary vending permit. Denver’s city council has since passed a bill to waive license requirements for “children’s neighborhood beverage stands.” “When I was a kid, lemonade stands were a simple thing,” said Councilman Paul Kashmann, who co-sponsored the bill with Councilman Chris Herndon. “You learned how to deal with people and serve the public while having a whole lot of fun.” The local bill applies to stands that are run by a minor, sell beverages and operate 84 days or fewer per year. However, Williams hopes to expand the legalization to other products and services sold by minors.
Yaunie Williams, 11, sells skin-care products at popup marketplace events. Williams was 9 years old when she started her business, Yaunie’s Scrub Sensation. COURTESY OF YAUNIE WILLIAMS
TO LEARN MORE Established in 1987, the Young Americans organization serves thousands of children per year across the state. Young Americans has three locations where minors can open bank accounts, take financial classes, or sell products at events like the YouthBiz Marketplace: • 3550 E. First Ave., Denver, CO • 401 S. Pierce St., Lakewood, CO • 4800 Telluride St., Building #5, Denver, CO Prospective entrepreneurs can learn more at www. yacenter.org or by calling the center at 303-321-2265. Gabe Nagel, owner of Gabe’s Bazaar, sells his products at a gala put on by the Young Americans organization. Nagel typically does business at events like this one and has also sold his products in a number of retail locations. COURTESY OF GABE NAGEL
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PERIODICAL
DID YOU KNOW INSIDE
At 61.9 percent, Colorado’s voter turnout in the Nov. 6 midterm election was the second highest in the nation. Source: Colorado Secretary of State’s Office
VOICES: PAGE 8 | LIFE: PAGE 10 | CALENDAR: PAGE 6 VOLUME 92 | ISSUE 3