FCHS grad creates online marketplace for children
February 8, 2023 at 8:09 p.m.
Former Franklin County resident and FCHS graduate Frank Sterwerf has started an online business called ShopBizKidz.com.
The business is an online marketplace and educational platform for children interested in posting and selling handmade products. The website is similar to a site like "Etsy," except for children in a safe setting.
Beyond providing children with an opportunity to buy and sell their products, Sterwerf shared his mission is to help families spend more time together, learn new skills, and build up confidence and self-esteem for the next generation of business owners.
"I believe children of all ages are incredibly gifted and talented and that adults everywhere would support children selling handmade products if given the opportunity," said Sterwerf.
When utilizing the site, Stewerf wants parents to know his top priority is their children's safety. Sterwerf's extensive background in risk analysis has helped ensure the safety component of the website. Additionally, unlike other online marketplaces, ShopBizKidz acts as a middleman to prevent buyers from accessing personal information from the children selling their items.
"The website has been developing since Jan. 2022, so I've invested tens of thousands of dollars and a full year to ensure all of the background stuff is good to go," Sterwerf said. "Privacy protection, data security, operational functionality, etc., are ready for use now. In addition, I've spent months reading and learning about all types of online risks, so what our website offers is just as important as what we omit.In addition, the site also offers educational and encouraging content for site users, including a blog that covers topics such as:
• What's an elevator pitch?
•How to price your products
•Should you start your own business?
For children interested in becoming entrepreneurs but needing help deciding what to sell, ShopBizKidz offers an attainable list of creative ideas to help them get started. An example idea from the site is photography.
“If you have an eye for photography, give this one a chance," it states on the website under the ideas to try section. "Pictures make amazing home décor and can fit almost any style. So next time you're in the car or walking around town, try to imagine everything you see as a picture. Black and white photos are always popular, too, so look around you and let your inner artist shine!"To begin selling on the site is easy. Parents and children will have step-by-step instructions on creating a profile, listing items, and selling them. The "How it works" section of the website states the following:
Starting a business can be an overwhelming, intimidating idea for any of us. But with determination, passion, and the right people encouraging you, anyone can do it and have success!
At ShopBizKidz.com, we believe that you have incredible talents and abilities and can achieve amazing things when you set your mind. If you have an interest in making a product and selling it online, we are here to help! We've created a safe platform for you to upload images of your products, add in prices, descriptions, and details, and sell your items to people all over the world. After the transaction is complete, we handle the shipping and payment processes to make delivering your product and earning money simple, safe, and fast. Use this guide to understand better our role in your business and what to expect when you sign up to start your own shop. *Important Note – You'll need to do this with someone over 18, so grab your parent, guardian, or another supportive adult who will help you with your business and read through this guide together!
ShopBizKidz complies with the Child Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In addition, for all money movements (when children are paid for their transactions) ShopBizKidz follows all regulations for both Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML). Further, Stewerf shared there are no social media components to the platform to ensure there is no contact between buyers and sellers at all. Instead, everything (shipping, payment processing, etc.) flows through ShopBizKidz.com as a middleman. Additionally, there is no mechanism for leaving negative reviews about individual shop pages because Stewerf explained he didn't want kids getting discouraged for trying something new.
“You can probably buy better products on Amazon, but supporting kids is our primary focus," said Stewerf. "You don't return a 50-cent cup of lemonade because it's too tart, right?!”
We believe that children of all ages have unique talents and abilities and can turn those skills into amazing products if given the right opportunities," Stewerf continued. "At ShopBizKidz.com we've created a platform to educate, empower, and encourage children and their families, especially those with interest in entrepreneurship.”
To learn more or help your child create their business, visit shopbizkidz.com.
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Former Franklin County resident and FCHS graduate Frank Sterwerf has started an online business called ShopBizKidz.com.
The business is an online marketplace and educational platform for children interested in posting and selling handmade products. The website is similar to a site like "Etsy," except for children in a safe setting.
Beyond providing children with an opportunity to buy and sell their products, Sterwerf shared his mission is to help families spend more time together, learn new skills, and build up confidence and self-esteem for the next generation of business owners.
"I believe children of all ages are incredibly gifted and talented and that adults everywhere would support children selling handmade products if given the opportunity," said Sterwerf.
When utilizing the site, Stewerf wants parents to know his top priority is their children's safety. Sterwerf's extensive background in risk analysis has helped ensure the safety component of the website. Additionally, unlike other online marketplaces, ShopBizKidz acts as a middleman to prevent buyers from accessing personal information from the children selling their items.
"The website has been developing since Jan. 2022, so I've invested tens of thousands of dollars and a full year to ensure all of the background stuff is good to go," Sterwerf said. "Privacy protection, data security, operational functionality, etc., are ready for use now. In addition, I've spent months reading and learning about all types of online risks, so what our website offers is just as important as what we omit.In addition, the site also offers educational and encouraging content for site users, including a blog that covers topics such as:
• What's an elevator pitch?
•How to price your products
•Should you start your own business?
For children interested in becoming entrepreneurs but needing help deciding what to sell, ShopBizKidz offers an attainable list of creative ideas to help them get started. An example idea from the site is photography.
“If you have an eye for photography, give this one a chance," it states on the website under the ideas to try section. "Pictures make amazing home décor and can fit almost any style. So next time you're in the car or walking around town, try to imagine everything you see as a picture. Black and white photos are always popular, too, so look around you and let your inner artist shine!"To begin selling on the site is easy. Parents and children will have step-by-step instructions on creating a profile, listing items, and selling them. The "How it works" section of the website states the following:
Starting a business can be an overwhelming, intimidating idea for any of us. But with determination, passion, and the right people encouraging you, anyone can do it and have success!
At ShopBizKidz.com, we believe that you have incredible talents and abilities and can achieve amazing things when you set your mind. If you have an interest in making a product and selling it online, we are here to help! We've created a safe platform for you to upload images of your products, add in prices, descriptions, and details, and sell your items to people all over the world. After the transaction is complete, we handle the shipping and payment processes to make delivering your product and earning money simple, safe, and fast. Use this guide to understand better our role in your business and what to expect when you sign up to start your own shop. *Important Note – You'll need to do this with someone over 18, so grab your parent, guardian, or another supportive adult who will help you with your business and read through this guide together!
ShopBizKidz complies with the Child Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In addition, for all money movements (when children are paid for their transactions) ShopBizKidz follows all regulations for both Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML). Further, Stewerf shared there are no social media components to the platform to ensure there is no contact between buyers and sellers at all. Instead, everything (shipping, payment processing, etc.) flows through ShopBizKidz.com as a middleman. Additionally, there is no mechanism for leaving negative reviews about individual shop pages because Stewerf explained he didn't want kids getting discouraged for trying something new.
“You can probably buy better products on Amazon, but supporting kids is our primary focus," said Stewerf. "You don't return a 50-cent cup of lemonade because it's too tart, right?!”
We believe that children of all ages have unique talents and abilities and can turn those skills into amazing products if given the right opportunities," Stewerf continued. "At ShopBizKidz.com we've created a platform to educate, empower, and encourage children and their families, especially those with interest in entrepreneurship.”
To learn more or help your child create their business, visit shopbizkidz.com.