Published: April 23, 2008 10:11 am         

Eight-year-old brings homemade candles to event

If there was a survey conducted, Brennan Hill could probably be classified as Kosciusko’s youngest entrepreneur.

At eight years old, the third grader at Kosciusko’s Middle Elementary School has established a candle making business and has plans for expanding. With the approach of the Natchez Trace Festival, he plans to capitalize on the event. He is in the process of completing a stockpile of his fragrant candles to sell. “Last year I sold out at the festival, and hope to again this year,” he said.

Brennan said he got the idea for making candles last year from his second grade teacher, Mrs. Renee Hanson, who gave a demonstration of the process at school. With thoughts of making money swirling through his head, he launched into the business with purchase of a candle-making kit for $85 with the funds provided by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Pat Hill.

From the candles made with the basic kit, he began his sales making door to door calls. He began to repay his parents as he made sales. As his business flourished, he was able to pay off his debt using his own money management and bookkeeping skills.

Brennan’s candles come in 16 and five ounce sizes which sell for $12 and $5. Fragrances include Georgia peach, Plumeria, Hawaiian Dream, Honeydew Melon, Ocean Mist and others.

Brennan said he pays for his supplies as he orders, not buying anything for which he cannot pay. He said his goal is to “get a shed, bigger space to work.” Another goal is to be able to buy a pallet of jars which will cost $598-$700. By ordering that amount, he said he would be able to buy other supplies at discounts prices.

Profits have allowed him to purchase some books and videos.

The third grader, in Mrs. Christy Morgan’s classroom at Middle Elementary, is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hill of Kosciusko and Mr. and Mrs. Teddy Thompson of Ethel.