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Inspired by seeing crochet products online and while walking through the Farmer's Market, Payton Gambordella decided to share her own creations with others. Payton's entrepreneurial journey began when she first learned how to crochet.
“When I started crocheting, I just knew I wanted to start a business with it,” she says.
Payton, a 14-year-old ninth-grade student at Arrowhead Park Early College High School, is turning creativity into a thriving small business. Through her venture, Payton's Crafts, Payton creates colorful crochet plushies and handmade accessories that delight customers at the market.
Each of Payton’s handmade items is truly a labor of love, as she has said. From purchasing patterns and yarn to carefully selecting the right crochet hooks, stuffing, and supplies, every plushie is crafted with patience and attention to detail. Depending on the size and complexity, her creations can take hours to complete.
One of Payton’s favorite parts of running her business is hearing customers compliment her work.
“Getting to share my crochet plushies with people and being told they were cute!” is what she enjoys most about being a young entrepreneur.
Payton sells her products through the Kids Can Jr. Vendors Program and has been participating for a year. After starting at one of their mall pop-up events, she expanded to selling at the Farmer's Market, where she enjoys meeting new people and learning how to run a business. Her products range from $5 to $40 and feature colorful plushies of all sizes along with crochet hair accessories.
When she’s not crocheting, Payton enjoys art, basketball, volleyball, hiking, film, and other creative crafts. She hopes to one day become either a film director or a wildlife biologist.
Payton’s fun-loving personality shines through in her favorite quote: “It's OK if you are a silly goose, you can still be a serious goose.”
Through hard work, creativity, and a passion for handmade crafts, Payton is proving that young entrepreneurs can turn their talents into something truly special.
