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12 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • April 2017 12 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • April 2017 WRITTEN BY CHRIS JONES Young Nine-year-old Jelani Jones, owner of Lani Boo Bath, a company that creates and sells natural bath products, is as passionate about business as most kids her age are about Pokémon Go. "I love making bath bombs," said Jelani with a bounce in her voice. "I'm working on developing new products and looking for new ways to get out into the community. I'll be adding homemade soaps to my line and I'll be expanding to body butters and sugar scrubs." While her company launched last October, her journey actu- ally started two years ago when she met Christi Carter, owner of Emerald Bee Bath, at the Fredericksburg Farmers' Market. Jelani would "play in her products," said mother Crystal Jones. Sensing Jelani's interest, Carter invited her to a workshop. "She invited me to a class to learn how to make bath balms," remembered Jelani. "After the class, mom and I discussed me having a business." Jelani credits her parents, grandparents, Carter—who contin- ues to mentor her—and Carla Goodman, a family friend who helps her with promotion. She has even inspired her close friends to start businesses. "After she started her business, her two friends, Kyndal and Destinee, started businesses, too," said Crystal Jones. Jelani says young aspiring entrepreneurs should believe without a doubt that they can do it, understand what goes in to it and have good people around them. After that, they should take the leap. "They need to start that business," she said emphatically. "Just do it!" Jelani JONES Building her business and inspiring others "I love making bath bombs" Nine-year-old Jelani Jones, owner of Lani Boo Bath, a company that creates and sells natural bath products, is as passionate about business as most kids her age are about Pokémon Go. "I love making bath bombs," said Jelani with a bounce in her voice. "I'm working on developing new products and looking for new ways Jelani Building her business and inspiring others Young Nine-year-old Jelani Jones, owner of Lani Boo Bath, a company that creates and sells natural bath products, is as passionate about business as most kids her age are about Pokémon Go. Jelani Building her business and inspiring others You can find Jelani's bath products on her Facebook page at facebook.com/LaniBooBath Jelani credits her parents, grandparents, Carter—who contin- should take the leap. T R 12 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • April 2017