Kidpreneur Alena Winter Starts Her Own Business: Rainbow Ridge LV
At just three years old, Alena Winter knew she wanted to give back to the world. So, with her mom’s help and support, this kidpreneur started her own arts and crafts business, Rainbow Ridge LV.
When asked what inspired her to create her business, Alena, now almost nine years old, said, “I wanted to help others.” Triana, Alena’s mom, said that in December 2019, Alena came to her with the idea to start a business.
“She told me, ‘Mom, I want to give back to children who don’t have what I have.’ So, I said, let’s do it,” Triana said. “I’ve realized I was put on this earth to keep this little girl safe and support her dreams.”
By her fourth birthday, Alena was creating things to sell. Starting by making paintings, bracelets, and handmade crayons, Alena said she wanted to make things she thought other kids would like. In September 2020, she sold bracelets and mermaid tails for swimming at her first craft fair.
On September 14th, 2023, Alena sold under the name ‘Alena’s Treasures’ at the Support Local event at the Ahern Hotel. There, she won the Kidpreneur Scholarship offered through the NFL Alumni Association and Huddle Up LV. With that scholarship, she officially launched her business!
How Alena Makes Her Products
Fully hands-on, Alena likes to repurpose old materials to make her crayons and bracelets.
“I melt old, broken crayons, put them into molds, and turn them into different shapes and colors,” she said. Alena’s mother then showed some of those different shapes, ranging from multi-color robots to bugs, dinosaurs, alphabet letters, and more. Alena donates a set of heart crayons for each crayon set she sells.
Alena also takes pieces from old or broken jewelry for her bracelets and creates new ones with additional beads she buys from the store.
“I design them and also look up designs to get ideas for different color palettes,” she said.
In addition, Alena makes mini soaps from the molds she uses for the crayons. She puts these in the little toiletry kits she also sells. And she occasionally makes other jewelry, like earrings.
This diversity of products and colors inspired the name of her business: Rainbow Ridge LV.
“I came up with the name because I make jewelry and things in all colors, and ridges are where you can see pretty sunsets,” she said.
Alena Winter Gives Back to Others
“Friends are like crayons; each one is different but put them together and they make your rainbow. “
Alena shared that her favorite part about being a business owner and artist is donating to other kids and helping people.
With that mission to help those in need, Alena supports many different causes in the community.
After the fires in Lahaina last summer, Alena donated 100 coloring book kits with crayons to children in Maui impacted by the fires.
In December, she took 25% of her sales to buy Christmas toys for children in the Carousel Hospice program.
On February 20th, Alena also made bracelets for a breast cancer awareness event at the Pass Casino in Henderson to help raise funds for breast cancer research. She attended this event in honor of her mom, grandma, & great-grandma, and everyone who has been affected by breast cancer.
Triana also added that Alena takes some of her sales to buy blankets for dogs at local animal shelters. In addition, for every crayon name set she sells, Alena donates heart-shaped crayons to local libraries. And Alena just ran her first 5k mini marathon as a Girls on the Run member!
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Alena’s Goals for Her Business and The Future
When asked about her goals for her business, Alena said she wants to “make more money, get more customers, and help more people.”
She is also looking to get her products into local businesses to sell. And her mom is working on building a website for Rainbow Ridge for Alena to sell her products online.
Separate from her business goals, Alena said she wants to get back into horseback riding and looks forward to learning how to drive.
Challenges of Being a Business Owner and Being a Kid
Alena faced a big challenge while setting up her business: overcoming a fear of talking to people.
“I think I started learning when people started talking to me,” she said. “I also watched how other people talked with each other and learned from that.” Her mom added that seeing how far Alena has overcome this challenge is huge.
Aside from that, Alena also talked about balancing being a kid while running a business.
“When I get home from school, I do my schoolwork and do some business stuff,” she said. “We do craft shows on the weekends.”
“We limit the number of shows she does so she gets to be a kid,” Triana added. “Our number one rule is to have fun.”
#GetinMotion with Alena Winter and Rainbow Ridge LV
Alena Winter said that the community can help support her by buying more of her products so she can help more people.
While Alena’s mom helps her build an online store website, Alena sells her products through direct messages on her Instagram and Facebook. You can also reach out via email at rainbowridge@usa.com.
Rainbow Ridge LV also sets up at local craft shows and other vending events. Alena will have a booth at the rescheduled March First Friday festival this Friday, March 8th. Her grandpa will be vending for her in the Plant-based Plaza on 1st and Coolidge, across the street from the English Hotel.
This month’s festival celebrates the theme ‘ARTUOK?’ in honor of the First Friday Foundation’s upcoming annual event, ‘ARTUOK?,’ on March 23rd. The event, in which Alena plans to conduct a slime workshop for kids, celebrates the importance of art and self-expression on mental health. [Read more about last year’s ‘ARTUOK?’ here.]
Alena will also be vending at the next First Friday Festival on April 5th.
On March 16th and April 13th, Alena is vending at the Vegas Kids Zone Kidpreneur Monthly Market from 11 AM to 2 PM, located at Paint Drops Studio at Meadows Mall.
Lastly, share her posts and tell people about this inspiring local kid-run business!
After meeting Alena Winter, one thing is certain: She has a bright future ahead of her, and it will be exciting to see how she shines!
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