Jonathan Fry is quite certain he’d have had no time for chocolate if he’d gone to regular school.
And who doesn’t want more time for chocolate?
Several years ago, when the 13-year-old Dayton, Tenn., home-schooler was looking to make some extra cash, he decided to become a chocolatier. His mother, Lynne Fry, first suggested the side business, thinking it would give her son a way to harness his creativity and learn the basics of business.
Since starting Chocolate Designs last Thanksgiving, the young entrepreneur has made about $600, part of which he plans to spend on a moped.
“In public school you can’t do this,” he said of the hours he spends buying new molds, perfecting his recipes and peddling his wares. “There’s a huge advantage getting to do what you want for school.”
Many local home-schoolers and their parents agree, saying the flexibility that allows students to pursue their passions is one of its greatest benefits.
“This has taught him discipline, time management,” Mrs. Fry said. “We can pursue what we want to pursue when we want to pursue it.”
The side pursuit Kirsten Vradenburgh started when she was 10 has become one of her main sources of income now that she’s graduated from high school.
Miss Vradenburgh, now 19, began doing dog obedience and agility training with her father, Chattanooga Police Officer Barry Vradenburgh, one of the department’s K-9 trainers. Now that she’s graduated from high school, she is starting to take over their business, Scenic City Canines.
“Because I was home schooled, I could (train dogs) any day of the week,” she said. “I loved it so much, I decided to make a career of it.”
HOMESCHOOL FAIRParents interested in getting their children more involved in a side hobby or small business can check out potential resources at the homeschool curriculum fair July 23-24 at the Camp Jordan Arena.
Ringgold resident and home-school mom Kumiko Herndon said she’s had to monitor her daughter Mary’s schedule, so her doll clothes business doesn’t take more time than her academics.
Mary, 15, spends anywhere from three to 10 hours a week making doll clothes and even has set up an online store on Etsy.com called dollsandmemories.
Mrs. Herndon said Mary first started sewing because her mom “was too cheap” to buy doll clothes, but the rising high school sophomore has gotten a lot out of the venture.
“She may not be making clothes in the future, but it’s a good skill to learn. And the fact that she’s enjoying herself is important to me,” she said.
Online: Follow Kelli Gauthier on Twitter at twitter.com/gauthierkelli.