For most 12-year-olds, any free time after school is spent hanging out with friends, competing in sports, or playing video games. But Alejandro Buxton has another dream: making all-natural candles that he sells online and at a local mall.
The idea was inspired by his mother, who had to give up many of the scented candles she'd filled their home with after realizing the chemicals within them were worsening her allergies (过敏), causing her frequent headaches.
So, in 2019, at just 9 years old, the boy started experimenting with making his own, mixing ingredients like soy and coconut waxes with essential oils. He called his first work "Jurassic Orange," for its color and pleasant smell. Though his mother was a big fan, and the scent didn't cause her head to ache, Buxton wanted to improve upon his work.
Within the next few months, he'd developed a line of six uniquely scented candles. By the following year, during the worldwide lockdowns, he'd created his own online shop.
Soon after, Alejandro began selling his products on his own website, "Smell of Love Candles," where shoppers can find offerings with creative names like "Sage the Day!" and "Alexa, clean the house. " He also lists other products such as room sprays for sale.
According to the site, his younger sister Valentina serves as assistant of operations while his mother takes the role of assistant to the CEO.
Now, he is operating his business in a local mall as well. This past September, he opened a stand in D. C. 's Tysons Corner shopping center—making him the youngest leaseholder (承租人) at the mall.
Besides inspiring fellow kids with his entrepreneurial spirit and talent, Alejandro is also a positive role model for giving back and making a difference: He donates a part of his profits to a local charity.
With the experience and knowledge he's gaining from running this business at such a young age, Alejandro hopes to one day go on to create an engineering business.
