Tiwa: 10-year-old spa expert

• There’s Nothing You Can’t Do

Tiwa tells us how easy starting a business can be. It felt like a dream but communicating these ideas to her Mum made her dream a reality. Her dream to make kids all over the world sparkle made her start her own business. Her Mum gave her an opportunity to create a fun spa for kids.

Tell us about Tiwa?
My Name is Tiwalayo Mabawonku, I’m 10 years old and I’m the Co-owner of Spakle kids spa.

What are your hobbies?
I love swimming, Singing and yea I love baking.

When and how did you get started in this business?
I started my business last year, but Spakle kids spa was officially launched on July1, 2017.

Describe your business?
I run a Spa called “Spakle kids spa”, .It is only for children between the ages of 3 to 16years. We have an exclusive spa treatment for kids, which includes Manicure, Pedicure, Facials and Henna. We also have a space for Spa parties. Isn’t that fun?

Do you run it alone?
Spakle Kids Spa is a mother and daughter duo; I have the ideas, she has the money. I share my ideas with her from time to time, and we are a great team.

How did you come up with your business name?
Hmmm! The idea was to have little children sparkle, I know kids love glitters and pretty things and so I chose the name “SPAKLE”.

How did you get the background and skills necessary to run this type of business?
Well, I enjoyed every spa treatment I got and so I did a little research about it. I also attended a business training for kids at the Kid Entrepreneurs centre, I was an intern at The Little Big Kid Company as well. I learnt how to turn my passion into a business.

How many customers have you had so far?
We’ve had a lot of kids come here to get a good spa treatment, and we have hosted four birthday parties so far with about 80 attendees.

How is the business being run on a day-to-day basis?
I get to attend to customers, good customer service is key and I also receive money from customers and give out receipts (the fun part of my job). While my mum does branding and adverts for the business.

Where do you see your business in the next year?
I see Spakle kids spa spreading its tentacles all over the world.

How do you communicate with your staff as a young entrepreneur?
When I have meetings with our staff, I speak politely and communicate my ideas to them.

What do you do with your profits?
I invest more in the business. The company has a bank account where I save the rest. My partner is quite a wise investor and she gives me reasons why I can’t spend my money on chocolates, LOL.

What important lessons have you learnt from running this business?
I have learnt a lot from my partner, her leadership skill is what I admire so much, I also know how to communicate with people now, because tons of kids come here and we learn how to manage them. It is not always easy being a business owner of a service business.

What would you like to tell other kids who would like to do great things in this generation?
My advice for kids out there is to share their ideas with their parents and follow their dreams.