hen I went to JA Biz Camp, I started thinking about my future for the first time. At camp, I learned that starting and running a business takes a lot of work, but with a good idea and hard work, even someone like me can start a business and make a difference in the world!

The camp counselors taught us everything we needed to know about starting a business. They told us to believe in ourselves, be creative, find a need, make a plan, and become experts in what we’re selling. We also learned about advertising and understanding our customers. At the end of the camp, we got to pitch our own business ideas to real business owners, who were called the “sharks.”

There were so many great ideas, like cafés and tech products. I wasn’t sure what to do, but then my camp counselors helped me come up with the idea for “Alia’s Treasure’s Untold.” My business sells custom paintings and “magic” wooden boxes. I like painting, so I decorated a wooden box in painting class that holds my treasures. The boxes are “magic” because they use something called Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) locks. I first learned about RFID when I was on vacation and I got a toy wand. I wondered how I could use it to open hotel room doors. Then I watched a lot of YouTube videos to learn about RFID and wanted to put one in my treasure box.

I made business cards and a sign to promote my business. On the sign, I wrote what my business was about, who I was selling to, why my business was special, how much money I needed, and how much profit I could make. I even drew a mascot named Sally the sea turtle and sharks on the sign for the “sharks.” I practiced my whole presentation over and over again the night before I had to present my business idea to the “sharks.” I tried to sound confident and not nervous. I was excited when I found out the “sharks” liked my business idea.

I had a lot of fun at JA Biz Camp. I learned you can make a business out of doing something fun like painting magical boxes. Now when I think about my future, I believe that anything is possible!