AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Parents got the opportunity to sit back and see how their kids handle business matters at Westgate Mall's Kids in Business on Saturday.
Children ages six to 15 set up their own business booths in the mall's center court and sold products they made themselves. They were responsible for pricing their items and for receiving payment.
Westgate Mall Marketing Assistant Stephanie Fretwell said it's fun for the kids, as well as a learning experience.
"The kids get to learn how hard it is to work," she said. "They are responsible for making their product, if that's what they have done, if they're making it, pricing it, actually running the business, talking to customers, meeting such a variety of different people and actually doing something for a long period of time."
Jewelry and pens made from duct tape and necklaces and knives made from deer antlers were among the products available, and the kids did not hesitate to push their items.
"We just think that duct tape, at first, was just a simple thing," said nine-year-old Mikayla Bell. "But you could turn it into something really great."
10-year-old Brecken Newkirk said he makes his products because he enjoys the time he gets to spend with his dad while doing it.
"The whole reason we're doing this is to have fun," he said.
Prizes were awarded to the Best Original Business Concept, Best Marketing or Sales Promotion, Best Store Design, Best Customer Service and Best Overall Business.
