Name: Jamila Thompson
Title: CEO of Rub A Dub Spa Parties For Kids, Inc.
Education: 7th Grade
Previous Job Experience: Being an awesome kid with amazing ideas. Author of “You Work It Girl: A Tween’s Guide to Beauty, Fashion and Other Cool Stuff.“
HelloBeautiful: Briefly describe your day to day activities and responsibilities as CEO of Rub A Dub Spa Parties For Kids, Inc.
Jamila Thompson: As the founder of Rub A Dub Spa Parties for Kids Inc., other kids and their mothers feel inspired by me. They have never seen or heard of a CEO being a child, but it’s actually a great feeling when girls say they are inspired.
HB: Briefly describe what prompted your interest in the beauty world.
JT: When I was seven years old, I had gone to a spa party. It was really fun. When I got home, I told my mom that I wanted a spa party for my birthday. It was a great party! There were 22 girls. They got facials, manicures, pedicures, massages, make-up and we had a run-way diva fashion show. That was the best. I then told my mom that I wish we could do spa parties for girls all of the time. She liked the idea and I even came up with the name. From then on, we’ve been doing spa parties for girls ages 5 to 16 years old. My mom takes care of the booking and I do the pampering, along with another girl we hired. I have only had to fire one girl for not respecting me as her boss. She felt I was just too young, but my mom always tell me to never let my age slow me down for what I want to accomplish in life.
HB: What suggestions regarding networking would you give to those seeking to work in this particular field?
JT’s Mother: Don’t be afraid to talk and network with others in the same line of business. Sometimes women think we always have to make it about a competition.
HB: What are the major challenges in your role as a business owner in the beauty industry and what solutions have you deemed best to handle these challenges?
JT’s Mother: Getting people to know we exist is always a challenge, but there is nothing like word of mouth. We strive to be the best, and that in turn is what makes people want to tell others about us.
HB: What would you contribute your level of success to?
JT’s Mother: Faith, perseverance and endurance. In the beginning when business was slow, I thought about closing up, but it was faith that kept me believing that eventually, this business would turn around. Now we have a waiting list!
HB: Any advice for young girls who want to be like you?
JT: Just like I say in my book, “You Work It GIrl: A Tween’s Guide to Beauty, Fashion and Other Cool Stuff,” girls should begin thinking about their future now. Don’t put limits on yourself.
12-Year-Old CEO’s Guide To Hiring, Firing & Being A Beauty Professional was originally published on hellobeautiful.com
