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Business allows Shelby teens to learn and earn

Learning a creative skill and using it to start a business is a dream for many. Four young people in Shelby are making that dream into a reality through "Straight out of Shelby," a non-profit enterprise created and mentored by Cooperative Baptist Fellowship missionary Cecelia Beck.
Much of Beck's work has been supported by First Baptist Church (FBC) of Shelby, and that has certainly been true for this new business. FBC member Pat Whatley is skilled in jewelry making, and she offered to teach the young people her techniques.
"Pat has devoted immeasurable hours to patiently teaching us how to make jewelry," says Beck. "She was also instrumental in obtaining a large donation of supplies which allow the youth to keep a larger portion of the sales proceeds."
Jaime Fitzgerald, a student in the Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity, was involved in the early stages of the business - successfully applying for a grant from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina that provided start-up money to purchase folding tables, storage shelves and supplies. FBC provides two rooms for the budding young business, one for supplies and one that serves as a work room.
All of the hard work was put on display in late October and early November when the group made its first sales as part of several events held at FBC. The Straight out of Shelby creations brought in more than $1,300 in sales from the first shows.
"The success of the first sales enabled the young artists to imagine new dreams and possibilities," says Beck. "They are quite motivated to continue to work hard to achieve those dreams."
Beck is committed to teaching the young people strong principles as part of the business.
"We start each work session with devotions and prayer to emphasize that the business is a 'Kingdom Business,' owned by and dedicated to God," says Beck. "The youth take turns leading the devotions. We emphasize good work habits such as attendance and diligence. We also emphasize the importance of good personal relationships with coworkers as a life skill needed for future employment."
The proceeds from the business are distributed in line with these values: 60 percent goes to the artists, 30 percent returns to the business and 10 percent is tithed.
"The tithe from the first big sale was given to the FBC youth department, since all of the current youth workers are faithful, active members of the youth group," says Beck. "We hope to add more workers in the future."
Beck and the young people also have other big plans for the future of the business. In fact, when the youth selected the name "Straight out of Shelby," they purposely did not highlight jewelry.
"We may try selling other items in the future," says Beck. "Several folks have offered to show us how to make various items such as lap quilts and hand cream."
But for the next few months, group members plan to hone their jewelry-making skills and seek venues to sell their creations.
"We hope to find some local festivals where we can set up a booth," says Beck. "And we will definitely be in the farmer's market when it reopens in the spring."
For more information about Straight out of Shelby, contact Cecelia Beck by calling 828-289-2892.

by April Hoyle Shauf

Special to Shelby Shopper & Info


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