Entrepreneur Anya Solomon-James has never studied the stock market, never sat on a board meeting, and wouldn’t know what to do with an angel investor. Instead, she loves Scooby-Doo, has a soft spot for Polly Pocket, and likes to bounce on a trampoline.
Anya is just seven years old, but her dog biscuit business – Anya’s Dog Treat Factory – has already gone global.
What started as an idea to earn some extra pocket money has grown into a thriving company and, with tempting flavour combos, Anya’s treats are now attracting discerning canine customers from around the world.
“The flavours and designs are all Anya’s,” explains mum, Rebecca, from their home in St Ives, Cambridgeshire. “She bakes for an hour on Saturday and spends an hour delivering treats on Sunday, so there’s plenty of time left to play.”
But because of growing demand – last Christmas, Anya’s treats also started selling through the unique gift website, Not On The High Street – the business has become a family affair.
Rebecca keeps track of the orders, Anya’s brother Charlie, two, and sister Emme, three, mix the dough, and stepdad Matthew handles the gift boxes and labels.
Even basset hound Henry has an important role to play. “Henry’s my treat taster,” smiles Anya. “If Henry doesn’t like it, then I don’t sell it. He loves my banana and peanut butter biscuits the best.”
Astounding established business gurus with her enterprise and imagination, Anya is also inspiring young people around the globe through GapKids ED, the new children’s collection for GapKids by Ellen DeGeneres, which celebrates girls, encouraging them to embrace their individuality and achieve the extraordinary.
Now that her doggy business is booming, the pint-sized entrepreneur is pulling in plenty of pennies to buy some treats of her own.
Does she think she’ll have enough for a house one day? “Hmm … maybe I will,” she says, hopefully. “But first I’m saving up for a Barbie Glamour Camper.”
This tiny tycoon is going to make it all the way to the top. And getting there is going to be one fun ride.
GapKids’ latest campaign GIRL with Ellen DeGeneres features modern girls who are reaching their dreams and igniting change. Gap’s campaign is not encouraging them to be more like boys, but rather to be exactly who they are.
Girl empowerment begins with us all.
Introducing GapKids ED
For doers, dancers and dreamers, bikers, boarders and builders – the GapKids ED collection is empowering girls everywhere. A collaboration with Ellen DeGeneres’ new lifestyle brand, ED – available at Gap stores and online at gap.co.uk/ed
