The top teen CEOs: these 2003 Kidpreneur Award nominees are holdin' it down! - entrepreneurship - Jaren E. Kelly's Legit Wear, Alleyne Studios, and Blackgirl Magazine

Black Enterprise, June, 2003 by Feona Sharhran Huff

Last year, the home-schooled business whiz was invited to appear on a segment of The Oprah Winfrey Show dedicated to smart kids. "The show increased my subscriptions and drove a lot of people to the Website, www.blackgirlmagazine.com, which is one of my marketing tools," says Kenya. The magazine netted about $12,000 last year.

Kenya's number one priority is keeping the magazine in operation, which means bringing in more advertising dollars to help with printing costs. Aside from money concerns common to all businesses, she's having a blast being her own boss. "It allows you to creatively help your community and to have an impact." says Kenya, who has three other ventures in the works.

Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? Stick to deadlines, practice good time management, and learn how to manage a staff. Lastly, she says, "You can't put any limitations on yourself, If you set your mind to it, anything can happen."

Blackgirl Magazine, P.O. Box 90729, Atlanta, GA 404-762-02821 www.blackgirlmagazine.com; e-mail: editor@blackgirlmagazine.com

Are you handling your business? Get a nomination form for the 2004 Kidpreneur Awards (or any of the other BE Small Business Award categories) by calling 800-543-6786 or by logging on to www.blackenterprise.com.