
Tiffanie is a 10 year-old that was given the opportunity to run her own business for a day and has found that Muddy Rose, her company, was meant for more than a day! Tiffanie creates her own all-natural facials and scrubs to refresh and rejuvenate your skin!
Featured in The Whatever Girls blog, this young entrepreneur came across my desk during a break when I was on Facebook. Her infectious attitude made me want to learn more.
Today, I interviewed her and fell in love. She reminds me so much of myself, when I was her age. Always pursuing the next entrepreneurial adventure (and being called, “Bossy”.)
Young Entrepreneur Takes on the World with Relaxation
Interview Transcript
“Tiffanie, I was really excited to hear about you, as you remind me of myself at your age. I did almost anything I could do to be in business growing up, from making crafts to sell at flea markets, to buying and reselling antiques, to leaf raking and snow shoveling, and lemonade stands.”
“Well, I always did love doing that stuff too, and actually, I used to do these little newspapers for our neighborhood, and it was $5 to pay for them, and I used to rake leaves too.”
“Understanding the value of money and being willing to work hard for it is such a wonderful trait.”
“I never really have needed money, but I just did jobs for fun. I do do chores, but mostly I have everything that I need. I just do this for fun, for charity, to buy clothes, like if I am growing out of all my clothes, to help out my mom, and to have some extra money in case something new comes around.”
“That is really smart, and I think what you just said there is what I would call the earmark of an young entrepreneur. The driving idea that “I might have what I need, but I can always do something better. I can always save up, or help other people. I am not totally happy with the status quo.” I really admire that in you.”
“Thank you.”
“What is the best thing about having your own company?”
“Um, being an owner and being in charge of something. Mostly everything really. I like to be the boss and tell everyone what to do, including my mom, and my grandparents.”
“That is one of the reasons that I like having my own company too. I like the feeling of being able to control my own destiny. That is another really good quality that I see in you.”
“Ya, actually, right before you called, I was sewing a bracelet to make my mom. My uncle is in high school, and he plays football. And so I was making bracelets for my family to wear for that.”
“See, there you go. I like that a lot. I am betting you are a wonderful person to live around.”
(Laughing) “Yes, everyone says I am their favorite!”
“What do you like least about being in business?”
“I don’t like how much, like when you run the business, you are so tied to being crazy about the money. And you constantly have to take yourself down from that. I don’t like that money part. I really like doing the business, but not getting too much into the money.”
“You know? I think you are really smart. And it sounds like you have some good people around you keeping you grounded. I know a lot of grown-ups that don’t make that decision well.”
“Thank you.”
“You are home schooled, right?”
“Yes, I am, actually. We are getting ready for 5th grade.”
“Wow, that is exciting! 5th Grade is the gateway to Middle School.”
“Yes, it sure is. I am excited about that.”
“Tell me more about this upcoming trip that you are earning money for?”
“It’s about girls who are doing what God meant for them. I am doing Muddy Rose, and God is really helping me. They are having a Whatever Girls Conference in Washington State, and we’re trying to go. They also want me to do Muddy Rose there. They are going to have this slumber party, and I am going to be doing Muddy Rose facial masks and all the relaxing things that we do.”
“Nice, makes me want to go. Can I?”
“Borrow a daughter.” (laughing)
“How can people support you right now, so you CAN go on that trip? I know there are a lot of people, including me, that would like to donate, or have a facial or buy your products.”
“I am really open to ideas on how best to sell my products, and for locations near where we live to do my facials, so that I can earn the money. Since we do charity work also, we are always looking for donations. I am really in to Cancer Research and stopping Sex Trafficking. I donate a certain portion of all my proceeds to charity. That part is extremely rewarding for me.”
“I have been reading about you and your mom, and how you are trying to do some testing to see how best to ship your products. How close are you getting to that?”
(Mom, Christina steps up to the mic.) “Yes, we are looking into that. Actually, I am handling all of that. I really want to connect with someone that has done that before. I don’t want to go into that blind. I have researched brand name shippers and what they require, like dry ice and cold packs. So I really want to talk to someone that has done this, and we also need to play with the recipes and see how they hold up to being frozen, etc.”
“Christina, all I can think of are the grand possibilities for home school science. Throw the text book away for a few days and do some experiments.”
(Tiffanie) “That sounds good to me!!”
“Tiffanie, I am really struck that at your young age, you are living purposefully, and living out the passions that God has given you. I read that you started this company due to how much you care for your grandma.”
“Ya, you know, she is like my second mom.”
“I also noticed that you want to be a neo-natal nurse when you grow up. What I am seeing in all of that is that God has given you the special gift of empathy and compassion. Have you thought about how this passion is driving a lot of your thoughts and ideas?”
“Yes, actually I have, because I have always wanted to help out. I always knew that I had caring in me, but sometimes that moves away from me. But now it is really coming back to me and it’s really strong now. Like at church, I take care of the babies all the time. I see these twin boys and their mom, and I am always watching out for them. I just care for people. I feel bad for the homeless. When I see them, I just want to give them all of my money. I had been pushing this caring away for a little while, but we started this business, and now it is really coming back.”
“I am a firm believer, that no matter what you turn your hand to, if it is driven by the passions that God has given you, it will be successful. But we also have to care about ourselves. Is that something you ever struggle with?”
(Giggling) “Yes, I struggle with that a LOT! Fortunately, my mom often says, “No, be wise.” Did you read about my first $400? I had $200 in my pocket, and my church gave me a large donation. I spent my half on taking my family out to eat. My mom told me to stop that then. She talked to me about spending it more wisely, like on replacing all the clothes that I was growing out of.”
“Indeed, you have to learn how to handle money wisely.”
“Yes, that is right. In fact, my mom currently does most of that job for me.”
“Tiffanie, it has been wonderful getting to know you better through this interview. As we end here, do you have any advice for other entrepreneurs out there, young or old?”
“Stay strong to your heart. If you want to do something, and everyone else is saying you can’t, do what your heart wants to do and what God is showing you. If you like your idea, but it is too expensive, or you want to go up a little bit, you think and pray. Ask people to help out. Think of bold things to do, if you want to go to a higher budget.”
“That’s great advice. It is easy to listen to people who don’t think big thoughts. There are two kinds of people out there. The Big Thought People, and the Ralliers. It sounds like you are surrounded by some of each.”
“Yes, I am. At first I didn’t want to go on, but people pushed me, and pushed me, and now look where I am. I am having interviews. I am trying to raise money to go to Washington. Without my grandma and my mom, I wouldn’t be doing this right now. Without the women at my church, I wouldn’t even be having this interview right now. When I was little I always used to pray that I would be like a pop star, and I am seeing how God is answering that prayer.”
“Let us stay in touch. I am excited to follow your success!!”