Interview with Jabez & Christopher
Jabez & Christopher Jenkins
Kings and Gents Accessories - Founders at 13 & 15 years old
Georgia, USA
Jabez and Christopher Jenkins are two extremely stylish and business-minded young men. Having begun to sew ages 5 and 3 respectively, they now choose, cut and sew their own fabrics for the bow-ties they sell. Jabez began their business journey aged 9, inspired by his mother’s homemade bowties, which then sold out at his school. These days, Jabez and Christopher are looking to expand their line of products and to eventually stock Macy’s with their colourful, stylish creations.
Kebloom got in touch with the boys to chat bowties, future plans and goals.
1) Please introduce yourselves.
Jabez: Hi, my name is Jabez Jenkins…
Christopher: …and my name is Christopher Jenkins.
Jabez: I’m 15 years old…
Christopher: …and I’m 13 years old, and we live in Atlanta, Georgia.
“We choose, cut and sew our own bowties - made for boys, by boys.”
2) What is the name of your business?
Jabez and Christopher: The name of our business is Kings and Gents Accessories.
3) Tell us a little bit about Kings and Gents Accessories.
Jabez: We are the designers and owners of Kings and Gents Accessories. We choose, cut and sew our own bowties - made for boys, by boys.
“…our ultimate goal is to have our bowties sold in the Men and Boys Department at Macy’s.”
4) What passions inspired the creation of Kings and Gents?
Jabez: What inspired us to start Kings and Gents, was when I was 9, we had a Career Day at school and I asked my mom to make 30 bowties for boys and 30 hair bows for girls out of scraps of fabric from pillows.
I took them to school the next day and I sold out within minutes. When I sold out, I thought to myself that I could be successful in real life. So, I asked my mum if she could take us to Atlanta to sell bowties… and that’s what inspired us
5) What skills have you developed running your business?
Jabez: One skill I have developed by running our business is overcoming stage fright. When I first started, I was actually nervous going up on stage and talking.
Christopher: …and one skill I have developed is talking in front of a large group of people. When I first started, I didn’t want to talk because I was shy and scared that people were going to judge me.
6) What are your current goals and what is your ultimate goal?
Christopher: Our current goal right now is to expand our line of products
Jabez: …and our ultimate goal is to have our bowties sold in the Men and Boys Department at Macy’s.
7) What is your advice for other young entrepreneurs?
Christopher: I think the advice I would give to other young entrepreneurs is:
Believe in god.
Go for your dreams.
Don’t let anybody take you down.
You can do anything.
…and anything else you’d like to add!
Christopher: Our Instagram and Facebook
Jabez: …and our website is www.thekingsandgents.com
About the Author:
Ellie McRae is the blogger, interviewer and content creator for Kebloom! When she’s not writing kick-ass articles, you’ll find her studying marketing and drinking copious amounts of coffee. Find out more about Ellie here.
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