At just eight years old, Isabella Satcher is already learning what it takes to run a business. Isabella, a second grader at Jackson Prep, recently launched Bella’s Too Cute Boutique, a student-led small business where she designs and sells custom beaded pens, stylus pens, keychains, plush journals, and other fun gift items. She has already hosted two successful pop-up shop events at Time 4 Toys in Madison, where she met customers, explained her products, and handled sales.  We asked her mother Victoria a few questions about the business.

What inspired Isabella to start Bella’s Too Cute Boutique at such a young age?

“She has always loved being creative and making things with her hands. She enjoys designing and turning simple items into something fun and special. Every cardboard box is the next fun activity in Bella’s World. 

Her grandparents have a grocery store in Heidelberg, MS. It’s called ‘Satcher’s Grocery’. They have been in business since the early 1990s. So, her time with the grandparents is spent learning to work the cash register, counting money, assisting customers every other weekend, and the bonus of being with family and friends is the greatest gift. I guess you can say entrepreneurship is in her DNA. She has always mentioned starting a business, but we always thought this is something she can pursue when she’s older. 

For her class Christmas party, I found some Christmas pens that we created together and she gave them as a gift to everyone. During this time, we were having so much fun creating the pens, she said, “Mom, this is fun. I wonder if I could make some extra money creating pens.” After a few days of her consistently bringing up the idea, I finally said ‘ok, let’s do it’.”

How did you help her turn her idea into a real business?

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“I helped her choose a business name, business logo and motto (“We make writing fun”) and thought about ​how she wanted her brand to look and feel. We decided where she would like to have a Pop Up shop ​together. ​So far, Time4Toys has been a hit for her products. 

​     Also, I assist with things like setting up her website, figuring out which payment options are best, organizing documents, while she focuses on designing and choosing products. Most importantly, I encourage her to believe in herself. This business is not just about selling products – it’s about helping her build creativity, independence, and growing her confidence.”

Were there any challenges getting started, and how did you overcome them?

“Yes, just figuring out where to start was a challenge…There were many challenges that we continue to go through like learning how to make the products even better, picking out the right type of tools to make the pens, choosing unique beads and pens style to make her pens stand out against the competition, where should we purchase supplies, where should we sell the pens, and that’s just to name a few. We are still in the learning stage and now that I’m seeing there’s a big interest in her products I have to figure out the best way to market her business.”

What advice would you give other parents whose kids want to start a business?

“Start with something your child loves to do. 

Trust their creativity – it turns the ordinary into something special every time. 

Start small and get feedback from family and friends.Keep it fun and don’t focus on the money. 

Find books about other kids starting a business and see what kind of feedback your child gives you. You may be surprised what happens next….”