Business

NEW! Young entrepreneurs

Lockdown has done something quite incredible to families up and down the country – and it has inspired people to become more creative in what they do. But even children are becoming entrepreneurial. When we heard that seven-year old Arthur had set up his own organic soap business and a website, we wanted to hear more. Here we ask Arthur some questions on how he started his business, what his aims are and what he loves about living locally. You could well be looking at a future Dragon from Dragon’s Den!

Name: Arthur Powley-Mapp Name of Business: Bee A Real Hero Website: www.beearealhero.com A huge congratulations on launching your new business Arthur! When did you launch it and why?

Thank you very much! I launched it at the start of

November 2020 because the bees needed help and I really really wanted to have my own business as well so it seemed like a good idea to solve both problems.

How did you set up your business? And where did the idea for the name come from?

I took my pocket money that I had saved to my mum and gave it to her to buy the materials we needed to make the soap. When they arrived my mum and I made some sample soaps which we gave to people to see if they were nice. My mum only helped me with pouring the hot soap mixture into the moulds. I thought of the name by using the word “bee” at the start and the fact that you could be a real hero by helping them. I then bought my website name with my pocket money and used the online website builder with my dad doing the clicking and me typing the information. I then pressed the button to make it live and then boom...my website comes up!

What does Bee A Real Hero offer?

I offer organic hand-made soaps which are £3 plus postage or free local delivery. The parcel also includes a little treat for the bees to help their environment. I also offer really nice local honey which is £5.50 and plants which bees like but I’m just growing those at the moment.

Where do you source your ingredients/products?

I buy all of the ingredients separately and then mix them all together to make the soaps. I buy them from websites at the moment but once we can get out more I am looking forward to buying them from local shops.

Do you have plans to launch new products in the future? If so, what?

Soon I am going to be making handmade candles using lifeinmagazines.co.uk

local wax and these will be on my website as well. I’ve also got some more secret ideas for things and when they are made they will be added to my website.

Why do you believe it’s important to be ecoconscious and protect our planet?

Because we don’t have another world like this one and we really need to look after it for everyone and everything and we can all enjoy the world that we are on.

What connections have you made locally with people or businesses?

I have spoken to a really nice beekeeper who I buy my wax and honey from and also a really nice lady called Nada who helped me setup my website. They are both really nice people.

What is the best/worst thing about having your own business?

The best thing is that I am helping the bees and that basically I’ve got my own business and I’m 7. The worst thing is there is no worst thing because I’m happy and enjoying it all.

What advice would you give to other children wanting to run their own business?

I would give the advice that you need to help people or animals by running your business because if you help our environment and stick together then we will make the world a better place. Hopefully if more children read this then they will see that you can do anything.

When you are not busy running Bee A Real Hero, what do you like to do?

I really like to build my own Lego creations and machines. I like to play in the garden and be outside with my family and I also enjoy playing tennis. I enjoy going to school 10 out of 10 and I love super cars and my favourite one is a Koenigsegg Regera.

Who do you want to be like when you’re older? Who is your inspiration?

Basically, I want to be like my parents but also have a bee house in my garden instead of a greenhouse and a supercar.

Do you have a general message for the residents of Orpington?

I have really enjoyed everything so far about starting and running my business so please visit my website, buy yourself, your family or your friends a little treat which will then help the bees so that we can make the world a better place. Thank you for reading this!

Does your child have their own business? If they are 16 years old or younger - email us at hello@lifeinmagazines. co.uk with their name, age, company name, any website links and what they do for their chance to be featured.