Business pop-ups aren’t just for adults. In the case of Muzé’s Children’s Business Fair, young business owners, Mateen and Yusef Thomas (of Muzé Apparel, LLC) challenge children to discover their inner entrepreneur. This is the underlying premise of the umbrella organization – Acton Children’s Business Fair, which was founded in 2007 in Austin, Texas by Jeff and Laura Sandefer who hoped to “ignite a sense of wonder and entrepreneurship in their own children.”

The Buffalo Chapter of Acton Children’s Business Fair is scheduled to take place Saturday, January 29 from 1-4 p.m. at the Innovation Center – BNMC.

When I learned that the local children’s fair was organized by Mateen (12) and Yusef (9) I was amazed. So, I contacted them to ask them a few questions about their business and their passion for supporting youth entrepreneurship.

Children develop a brand, create a product or service, develop a marketing strategy, and then open up to customers in the day market.

According to Mateen and Yusef’s mother, Zaheera Hemphill, “The boys began the journey of creating a children’s clothing brand during quarantine. They had simply outgrown their clothes and wanted to buy clothes made by children. They googled and googled but didn’t couldn’t find one, so they made their own. Muzé Apparel became a SARL in 2021.”

Inspired by their new achievements, Mateen and Yusef decided they could help other young people in Buffalo follow in their entrepreneurial footsteps.

When I asked them what made them tick, their answer was: “Success is not achievable until you learn to succeed; mmeaning you have to work hard, have a healthy mindset, learn and persevere to be great.

Considering the importance of entrepreneurial skills among young people, they said, “No matter who you are, you have the opportunity to do great things and that helps us to be innovative.”

Mateen and Yusef noted that their inspiration for their clothing line was from create their own wealth and be the first kids to do something no other kids had done. They added that their father was their role model, “…because he teaches us how to do things as adults. And mom, because she supports everything we want to do. And our Jeddah (grandmother in Arabic) because she compliments us and congratulates us on small achievements.

Even though the young boys are focused on developing their clothing line and preparing for the fair, they each have alternate plans and goals as they grow up. Mateen’s dream career is to become a paleontologist. Yusef is to become an engineer or a firefighter.

First, let’s hope the boys have a super successful fair, supported by everyone who believes in the dreams and high-profile achievements of our region’s youth.

In the meantime, it would be great to see Mateen and Yusef rewarded for their accomplishments, with a 40 Under 14 designation. Is there such a thing? Otherwise, I know a few young go-getters who could rise to the challenge.

Buffalo Children’s Trade Show

Saturday, January 29, 2022

1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Free and open to the public

Hosted by Kidtrepreneurs, the creators of Muze Clothes

Center for Innovation – Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC) | 640 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14203-1221

25 booths – list your child’s business on the fair website

This event is sponsored by Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business and the generous support of donors and volunteers

See the Facebook event