Amaya Selmon Talks Kool Kidz Sno Konez!

11-year-old Amaya Selmon is the co-owner of Kool Kidz Sno Konez, a snow cone company and food truck based our of Memphis, Tennessee! 

We recently chatted with Amaya about her awesome business idea, and what's it's like to be a pre-teen entrepreneur!

Kool Kidz Sno Conez was born because Amaya and her older brother, Jaden, wanted to buy toys and video games one summer.

"Our mom said we should start earning our own money to buy what we wanted," Amaya explained.

Together, Amaya and Jaden brainstormed some business ideas.

"He wanted to start a lawn service," she said. "I wasn't interested in sweating and getting dirty. Also my mom said lawn mowers were dangerous. I wanted to do lemonade but my brother said that wouldn't make enough money."

One day, Amaya and Jaden's mother took them to a snow cone shop across town.

"Jaden said he wished there was a place like that on our street and we both looked at each other and realized SNO KONEZ were our business!"

The name was born from the fact that Amaya and Jaden thought it was cool for kids to create and own their own business.

For 2 years, Amaya and Jaden sold their snow cones from their front yard. Word quickly spread about Kool Kids Sno Conez, bringing many customers to their street.

"I wanted to get a store location but my mom reminded me that would require a lot more time and money," Amaya said. "She works full time as a nurse and we have school so that wouldn't work. We decided the truck would allow us to work on our own schedule and cost less to start."

At the tender age of 11, Amaya has a lot more business experience than some people twice her age. Though it takes up a lot of her time, it's worth all of the effort.

"It makes me feel proud but it's also a lot of responsibility," she said. "It takes a lot of hard work to prepare our truck and run our business."

We asked Amaya what her friends think of her business.

"They love it," she said. "My cheer team wants my mom to bring the truck to practice EVERY day! A lot of them ask for jobs."

Amaya has had a great experience being able to spread the word about hero business on television and in the media. She also had an amazing time helping some less fortunate children in a community service event over the summer.

Amaya and Jaden will franchise their business in about 5 years.

"After that, I'm going to NYU to study law and one day become a judge!" she said.

We wish Amaya all the success in the world as she continues her business!

Are you an aspiring entrepreneur? Join us at Sweety High and tell us about your plans for the future!