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Two sisters have gone into business together.
Nothing surprising about that...until you know that one is seven and the other, only four.
While most young girls are interested in playing ‘shops’, Elizabeth and Rebecca Appleyard have made it a reality and launched Just For Kids.
Elizabeth, a Year 3 pupil at Iwade Primary School, sells “pocket money toys” bought in bulk from the internet while Rebecca, a Year R pupil at the same school, buys sweets and popcorn from a wholesaler which she then packages up in cones.
The pair, who launched their venture at a Christmas fair held at Iwade village hall on November 26, were helped along the way thanks to investments from their parents.
Rachel, 34, runs Sittingbourne Golf Centre in Church Road, Tonge, while Peter, 36, is joint head professional at Redlibbets Golf Club in Ash.
The mum-of-four, of Cormorant Road, Iwade, said: “Elizabeth wanted to set something up as she wanted to see how business works and earn some money to go university and become a scientist and an engineer.
“We sat down and researched what she wanted to sell.
“She came up with different ideas then she said about toys.
“I asked her to look at what other people were selling and the prices, then she saw new toys on eBay that she could buy and sell on.
“My husband insisted she had to produce a business plan and he would invest in it.
“We gave her just under £80 in October, which she spent on toys online like skipping ropes, bracelets, rattles, wooden castanets.
“It was when she was talking about doing the Christmas fair that Rebecca came up with the idea of selling sweets, so we gave her £15 to buy them.
“I don’t know how long it will last but I have high hopes for them both although they’re not even fussed about spending the money" - the girls' mum Rachel
“The launch went quite well, although it was mainly the sweets that went and only a handful of toys. Elizabeth made about £10 and Rebecca £20.”
The eldest of the two has now managed to persuade her grandparents Bill, 79, and Mary, 74, Appleyard, who live in Sittingbourne, to sign a contract and invest £75 so she can order more stock.
Rachel said: “I don’t know how long it will last but I have high hopes for them both although they’re not even fussed about spending the money, they just want to save it.”