Investing in youth: Franklin Chamber awards grants to young entrepreneurs

A new philanthropic program aimed at fostering the entrepreneurial spirit among youth under 18 kicked off with two grant recipients this weekend.

The Franklin Chamber Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Greater Franklin Chamber of Commerce, awarded two $500 grants to two young entrepreneurs.

Connor Baldwin, 16, makes bait and sells it through his business Baldwin Baits, and Hattie Bennett, 11, creates flower bouquets and gives back to the community through her business Hattie Lou Blooms.

They were both presented with a check and a plaque during Biz Kids Day at the Franklin Farmers Market on Saturday.

Baldwin’s business was created out of his passion for fishing. As he progressed in the sport, he grew tired of paying upwards of $8 for fishing lures from China. In February of this year, he bought his first mold and began making his own. Catching fish on lures that he’s made brings Baldwin a sense of pride, he said.

Baldwin plans to use the grant funds to purchase a new mold and supplies. The grant will help him expand his business and get his name out there. The options for new molds and new colors are pretty much endless, allowing a lot of room for creativity and expansion of his business, he said.

“When you hear people tell you “Oh I caught this fish on that’ or they show you pictures, it just makes you want to keep doing it,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin creates custom orders tailored to location and sports team, recently making Purdue and IU custom theme baits. Baldwin sells his products online, at local farmer’s markets and at Honey Creek Tackle in Bargersville. Baldwin hopes to start selling his lures at more local tackle shops throughout Indiana. Eventually, he’d love to have his lures and bait sold at stores throughout the Midwest, he said.

Receiving the grant from the Franklin Chamber Foundation reinvigorated his motivation to keep going and helped him build confidence that he is doing the right thing, Baldwin said.

“I’ve already achieved this [receiving a grant]. It’s time to keep moving forward, stand on what I mean and keep going,” Baldwin said.

Bennett’s fresh-cut flower bouquet business bloomed just over a year ago when she became eager to raise money for nonprofits on her own. Her venture started as a lemonade stand, but she quickly pivoted when she realized she was spending too much money on production and inventory.

Bennett donates 20% of her sales to local organizations including the local Humane Society, Riley’s Children’s Hospital and more. Bennett is even donating her grant funds to establish perennials at Needham Elementary’s Kindness Garden.

“There isn’t a ton of people that can do that, so it’s nice that we can be a part of what people need,” Bennett said.

The perennials will come back year after year, help pollinators and require less maintenance going forward. Even if Bennett doesn’t want to continue with her business as she grows older, she’ll have a lasting impact in the garden, said her mom Kailee Bennett.

“It’s so awesome that we’ve got people who are cheering us on and that we can give back to other organizations to say ‘We see your support and you may not have the monetary means to do so, but we do and we’re going to pass that goodwill along,’” he mom said.

Bennett was excited to be receiving a grant from a community that also gives so much to her. She wasn’t expecting to get the grant, she said, which only made her that much more excited.

The Young Entrepreneur Grant is designed to provide young entrepreneurs with the support they need to bring their creative business ideas to life.

“We believe that nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit at a young age is valuable for the economic future of our community,” said Rosie Chambers, president and CEO of the Franklin Chamber. “By investing in our youth, we are investing in the future prosperity and innovation of Johnson County.”

The pilot program was open to all residents of Johnson County who are under 18 years old. Applicants were required to submit an application that outlines the project, sustainability and potential impact to the community. A panel of local business leaders are members of the Franklin Chamber Foundation reviewed the applications and select the most promising project.

Other young entrepreneurs joined Kids Biz Day on Saturday to sell their handmade goods and art as well. Adalee Allen creates and sells her art as a young entrepreneur. She had over a dozen pieces for sale Saturday at Franklin’s Farmers Market. A lot of hard work goes into making her art, so it feels good to be able to sell pieces for people, she said.

Enna Hessman and Catalina Mercado also sold handmade bracelets and keychains on Saturday. Their business, which has yet to be named, is a group effort between the two of them and their “Nona,” Hessman said. They also donate a portion of their proceeds to various organizations. What is left, Hessman likes to purchase books from Barnes and Noble with the money she makes, she said.