A teen entrepreneur is lessening the burden of financial hardship for summer activities in the area for school children by starting a scholarship.
Kealie McClain is still in high school and owns her own soap making business called KeKe Soaps.
“I wanted to try other art-related activities, like making candles, but found handmade soaps more interesting after watching several videos,” McClain said. “I started doing a ton of research, learning about the materials, and then started creating my own recipes.”
McClain heard about the Northwest Arkansas Community College’s Kid’s College, a short-term summer program for children 9-13, and knew she wanted to help.
McClain provided a scholarship to the program to a fellow artist.
“Support was everything to me when I found art and started my own business, so it is important for me to offer that same support,” McClain said.
McClain doesn’t stop there.
A portion of sales from KeKe Soaps goes to support the anti-bullying efforts through PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. McClain says as someone who was a bullied youth, she understands the feelings and sadness one can feel when being bullied.
McClain plans to do a teen bath line and a natural skin care line for teens and young adults. She plans on attending college and focusing on her art after high school.
