The 2022 Columbia County Dwelling and Yard Show offered by The Chronicle and sponsored by InRoads Credit score Union is set for April 23 and April 24 at the Columbia County Fairgrounds in St. Helens.
A nearby teenage entrepreneur is eager to consider her business enterprise to the future level and is scheduled to be one particular of several vendors at the exhibit.
Scappoose High University senior Kaya Metzger displays off just one of her kritters.
Kaya Metzger, a senior at Scappoose Superior College, commenced earning beaded spiders when she was just 8-a long time-old.
After landing 1st spot in Scappoose Summerfest’s Kid Biz opposition, Kaya came up with a identify for her product or service: Kaya’s Kritters. She commenced location up shop at distinct grocery shops to increase cash for Oregon Health and Science University’s Doernbecher Clinic.
In the next job interview with The Chronicle, Kaya describes how her small business came to be and what she hopes to complete.
The Chronicle: What got you intrigued in generating these crafts?
Kaya Metzger: My aunt knew I had a fascination for bugs. She was seeing me at my grandma’s home 1 working day, and she brought down all this beading machines and taught me how to make the plain spiders.
I’ve usually cherished crafts I appreciate just functioning on items, and it was bugs, so it routinely caught my awareness. It saved growing, and my father helped me make new kinds of them.
My aunt started off all of it, my father helped me even further it, and I have just continued loving it.
The Chronicle: What has it been like working your business enterprise so much, going into diverse areas and advertising some of your creations? How do you organize that, and where by have you sold them so considerably?
Metzger: I started out with the Young ones in Biz (which) was the initially time we definitely attempted it mainly because my mom needed me to start off conversing to persons. It was a excellent expertise to get out there and be in a position to speak about one thing I enjoyed.
High-schooler Kaya Metzger poses at her booth although fundraising for OHSU Doernbecher’s Childrens Hospital.
When I listened to about the Doernbecher fundraiser, I made the decision this was my instant. We begun at Walmart and set it up (like) how a Lady Scouts group would – get a time, get your booth, and wait for a while for an individual to find it interesting. (We would) sit out there for several hours, many occasions a 7 days (and) on the weekends.
The Chronicle: Can you notify me what you strategy on studying (in faculty?)
Metzger: I plan to go to school for forensics. I want to do the job exclusively in forensic entomology.
The Chronicle: How much have you been able to save via selling your creations?
Metzger: I’m quite sure my gain has been zero mainly because all of the resources I have elevated for the last four decades had been especially for Doernbecher. The yard exhibit will be the initial time I’m carrying out it as a earnings for myself.
The Chronicle: I’m imagining that your friends in college could be accomplishing other factors like sports activities, dance or other pursuits, perhaps the school band. What separates you from your peers to in which you are motivated to be a youthful entrepreneur? Why do you do this?
Metzger: I imagine one particular of the largest drives for me is that I really do not like currently being bored. Beading has provided me a time that I can operate and really feel productive although I’m just looking at a motion picture I want to observe or a clearly show. From time to time I’m on a call with my pals, and I will need to do some thing with my palms, so I’ll get started beading.
The Chronicle: What do you hope to get out of the Home and Backyard Show?
Metzger: I assume of performing Kaya’s Kritters as just having myself out there and speaking with individuals for the reason that I’ve usually struggled with conversation, specially confront-to-experience. Now, I’m capable to chat to another person who comes up about anything I take pleasure in. I use it as a method of helping my interaction.
It is (also) receiving my title out there to commence networking for the potential. You by no means truly know who you can satisfy and who will randomly take pleasure in what you are undertaking.
The Chronicle: Would you say that heading out and providing your item has enhanced your interaction competencies? Do you experience much more self-confident now that you have been out there?
Metzger: Oh, yeah. Before I did Kaya’s Kritters, I would cover powering my mother. She’d have to chat for me. Now, I’m accomplishing all these distinct factors. I’m capable to introduce myself and speak to persons.
The Chronicle: What guidance would you give anyone your age wanting to start out their personal business?
Metzger: The major issue I would explain to someone is to make certain you get pleasure from what you’re generating. If I did not have this sort of a fascination (with) bugs and didn’t enjoy my creativity, I would not have a great deal of enjoyment, and I would assume of this as a position. When you make a solution, you have to know that you take pleasure in it.
The 2022 Columbia County Dwelling and Backyard Show is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 23 and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 24, at the Columbia County Fairgrounds, 58892 Sausler Road in St. Helens.
The present is presented by The Chronicle and sponsored by InRoads Credit score Union. There is however to develop into a seller, make contact with Katherine at 503-397-0116 or at [email protected].
