ENTREPRENEURISM - IT STARTS WITH OUR YOUTH

Written by Linda Cheek, President

The definition of an entrepreneur is an enterprising individual who builds capital through risk and/or initiative.  A further decription says entrepreneurs emerge from a population on demand, and become leaders because they perceive opportunities available and are well-positioned to take advantage of them.  Wilkes County for years has touted the “spirit of entrepreneurism” and this designation remains prevalent as we research the roots of the many locally owned businesses and industries.   The statistics from the 2010 US Census indicate over 5800 businesses and industries are located in Wilkes County.   From this number, we can safely say the majority began with an individual or group of individuals with an idea and from that idea, were willing to take a risk. 

Recent business reports indicate an increase in entrepreneurs and in small business development, especially in rural communities.   As a chamber, we recognize our membership growth is primarily generated by locally owned small businesses.   This same type of rural community entrepreneurial growth is being embraced by many and appears to be prevalent throughout the United States.  Don Macke, Co-founder and Director of Strategic Engagement with RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship, wrote the following in 2011 article, “This slower rate of job creation may be structural and permanent, not just part of the recession and recovery cycle. Coping with these changes will most likely require an expansion of small-scale entrepreneurship, enabling rural residents to enjoy the quality of life benefits of “rural living” and also to tap economic opportunities. Some of these opportunities are even created by the outsourcing of work by larger employers. Our work with the RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship over the past 10 years suggests that the rise in self-employment – small-scale entrepreneurship – and slow job creation are related and could present a development “silver lining” opportunity for many communities in the United States.  The potential behind this phenomenon can best be observed in the rise of necessity entrepreneurship. Necessity entrepreneurs are driven into business by the lack of jobs in their region – many clearly would prefer to take a job if those opportunities were available. But, once in business, these entrepreneurs could help create the foundation of a whole new generation of ventures that will help re-invent and renew the rural American economy.”

In this article, Wilkes Chamber features two very young entrepreneurs, Joseph and Dodi Kamperman of Moravian Falls.  Joseph, age 13 and Dodi, almost 12, became certified Master Gardeners through Wilkes County Cooperative Extension in May 2012. With an interest in seed catalogues and encouragement from their father, they began collecting heirloom seeds nearly seven years ago.  In developing their inventory, they were fortunate to receive unique heirloom seeds from friends, neighbors, and people who heard of their interest.  In 2010 Joseph and Dodi began their own business, J & D’s Heirloom Seeds.  Much of the inventory is created by heirloom seed purchased.  These young gardeners plant the seeds, grow the produce, and then save the seeds.   Joseph and Dodi are continuing to learn more about the seed business and agribusiness overall through their participation in propagation classes at Wilkes Community College and such as grafting that are offered through Wilkes County Cooperative Extension.  

Today in their heirloom seed 2012 catalogue, you will find “Big Boy Pumpkin,” a 40 year old seed acquired from an elderly lady friend from down the road and “Aunt Maude,” a dark pink colored tomato plant from seeds passed on by family members of friends from southwestern Virginia for over 100 years.   These young men have over 14 varieties of tomato heirloom seeds available for purchase.    Their catalog includes a variety of seeds such as herbs, beans, melons, collards, flowers, and even loofah.  Joseph and Dodi created their packaging and designed and printed the labels.  Joseph stated, “We receive help from our 9 year old sister occasionally.  She helps with the counting of the seeds included in the packets.  Some seeds such as the loofah seeds are sold by weight because of their size.  Dodi stated, “We’re working on time saving methods to package seeds, using measurement rather than count for smaller seeds.”  When asked how they determine prices, Joseph stated, “We determine by the seed age and by the demand, the greater the demand the lower the price, the less the demand, the higher the price.  The older the heirloom seed, the higher the price.  We also compare packet prices with other seed catalogs.”  Joseph and Dodi have particpated in the Wilkesboro Open Air Market on Friday nights to sell J & D’s Heirloom Seeds.  

In our interview with Joseph and Dodi Kamperman, we found these young entrepreneurs have a very interesting family.  Their parents, mother born in Italy and father in Holland, met and married in Australia.  While living in Australia the oldest daughter was born. The family later moved to the US and Joseph was born.  A few years after that, they moved to Italy and Dodi was born.  They later returned to the US and the Kampermans settled in Wilkes County in 2003. Joseph and Dodi aren’t the only young entrepreneurs in the family, their 16 year old sister who is a member of the Wilkes Quilters Guild, started a sewing business producing handmade aprons, pot holders, fabric wrap bowls and known as “Sew B’s.”   We asked Joseph and Dodi about the challenges they faced.   They indicated finding the heirloom seed varieties was their greatest challenge.  What are Joseph and Dodi’s future plans?  Joseph wants to own another business when he grows up.  Dodi, he wants to keep the seed business and continue to build on it.  To receive a 2012 J & D’s Heirloom Seeds Catalogue, contact Joseph and Dodi at jdheirloomseeds@gmail.com.