A NEW Year resolution of a 13-year-old boy – to create a profitable business – has become a reality three years later.
Teen entrepreneur Jez Parsons says he was inspired to start his streetwear brand Jailbrail by a perceived lack of creativity among people his age.
The now 16 year-old is becoming accustomed to seeing his t-shirts, sweatshirts and hip-bags in the streets and skateparks of Rugby.
The Avon Valley School student started in 2016 by selling stickers – “the basics of any independent streetwear brand” – before moving on to clothing and growing the business via social media.
Having attracted over 5,000 interactions with his blog within the first year, he decided to dedicate himself to the business – and now regularly gets up at 5.30am to “get after it before everyone else”.
He said: “The most fulfilling aspect of running a business is the gain of maturity. It is teaching me financial budgeting, how to speak to people in person and online, what to say and when in a formal matter.
“Without starting this business, I don’t think I would be the way I am today, not knowing about profit margins and other basic business knowledge trades.”
The Long Lawford lad said he chose streetwear because there was demand locally – but still finds it challenging to predict what his target demographic would buy into.
“With an opinionated target market between 13 to 24 years of age, our audience doesn’t hold back on feedback or constructive criticism – which I sincerely appreciate and listen to,” he said.
Friends and family have helped Jez get the business off the ground. His dad Steve has a business degree and his mum Julie runs a local bridal company, so have given him a head start by passing on their experience.
Jez said: “The people around me have reacted in a tremendously positive way, helping support me by wearing and representing the clothes and content I create.
“It makes me feel worthy and grateful for my interests and capabilities, knowing I’m positively influencing the people around me.”
Proud dad Steve agrees.
“I was pleasantly pleased when Jez first came up with the idea,” he said, “and I saw a part of myself within him. We’ve been supporting him from the start, wherever it may take him.
“I feel proud to have a son who is making a successful business – and actually doing it, not just planning it or thinking about it.”
The sky is the limit for Jez, who says there has been a significant rise in his brand’s popularity over the last year.
“At my local skatepark in Long Lawford, I see Jailbrail stickers, t-shirts, bags and keyrings – which makes me feel like I’ve made an impact on other people.”
He hopes to continue to grow his business this year and beyond.
“My aspirations for the year would be to reach a wider audience and inspire more people nationally to be creative and find a passion.
“Financially, it would be to reach a high profit margin, yet keeping my items at an affordable price.
“I want to sustain a happy and fulfilled business career as a young entrepreneur, and to live up to my definition of happiness – finding something you love and doing it for the rest of your life.”
