A business with beads

What started as making perler beads for fun when he was younger has grown into a business with a purpose for Centennial High School junior Bradley Francis.

At just 16 years old, Francis is turning a childhood hobby into a growing business. Through Bradley's Bead Bureau, Bradley creates colorful perler bead keychains, magnets, figures, and other handmade items inspired by popular video games, movies, and favorite characters.

Bradley wanted to earn his own spending money and save for things he wanted, such as helping save for a school trip to Scotland and working on another trip for next year, and a car, instead of relying solely on his parents. Now, after three years in business, he's doing exactly that while sharing something he genuinely enjoys with others.

Each creation is carefully handcrafted, from sorting beads and selecting a pattern to placing every bead by hand, ironing the design together, and finishing it as a keychain, magnet, or decorative piece. Depending on the size, each item can take anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour to complete.

Bradley's products range from $5–$7 for keychains to $10–$30 for larger creations. Customers can find his work on Instagram and Facebook.

One of his favorite experiences has been participating in the Holiday Bazaar, where he enjoyed meeting new people and sharing his creations with the community.

Bradley lives by the quote, "The only way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing."

His advice to other young entrepreneurs is simple: be helpful and don't be afraid to start. Bradley's story is a great example of how creativity, hard work, and determination can turn a passion into a successful business.