We had the good fortune of connecting with Elijah Hamm and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elijah, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am from a very small and beautiful mountain town where we have the deepest natural hot springs in the world. Growing up in such a peaceful yet vibrant environment instilled in me a deep appreciation for nature and calmness. My mom loves to read and tell stories. She’s filled our home with books and tales from around the world, giving me my love for words and books from a young age.

The close-knit community in our town has taught me the value of kindness, collaboration, and empathy. Everyone knows each other, and there is always a helping hand or a listening ear available. This sense of community has influenced my desire to connect with people, understand their stories, and offer help whenever possible.

Furthermore, my education is enriched by a very advanced Christian based curriculum and passionate teachers at a private school who encourage critical thinking and creativity. My mom was actually my first grade teacher last year and she’s always pushed me to explore different perspectives and to always be curious about the world around me. This foundation has been really important in shaping my worldview and my approach to both personal and professional challenges.

Overall, my background and upbringing have significantly impacted who I am today, keeping me full of values of compassion, curiosity, and a lifelong love for learning and storytelling.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business, Penguin Pups, is not your average pet treat shop. At the young age of 6, I made history in Colorado by becoming the youngest person to hold my name on an LLC. I just turned 7 years old and I am one of the youngest business owners in the entire world. With a license from the Colorado Department of Agriculture and Feed, I am officially in the dog treat business nationwide! Inspired by a love for helping others, Penguin Pups was born. Each treat, named after a different penguin breed (my favorite animal!), is a single-ingredient, very healthy, one-of-a-kind treat. With zero additives, you will have a hard time finding anything close to what I have, on store shelves. If you find something even a bit close, they are really expensive. My job is to make these healthy treats affordable for every pet parent. I have 4 flavors – Adélie Stix (white fish), Baby King Stix (chicken), Emperor Stix (beef tripe), and Chinstrap Snax (beef liver).

Here’s the twist – my profits go towards providing nutritious meals for children in need. Did you know one in five children, in the United States alone, go to bed hungry every single night? Also, every 10 seconds a child in this world dies from hunger. My ultimate goal is to turn my business into a nonprofit. I want to have a bus in every town, every city, of every State in the United States. “Elijah’s Bus” will deliver breakfast, lunch and dinner to hungry children 7 days a week. Who says you can’t change the world one dog treat at a time? Maybe our country just needs a little kid to step in and make a difference. That’s why I am here! I have really big dreams and I will make them come true. Eventually everyone will know my name and know about my business. Eventually they will all see the difference I am trying to make and maybe they’ll stand behind me and we can all make these dreams come true together.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1 – You just got here so we will relax around a campfire, catch up, and roast some marshmallows. I live on top of our very own mountain so I will show you the beautiful views where you can see the Continental Divide, Broken Off Mountain, and we can watch the sunset over Chris Mountain on the other side.

Day 2 – We will go to Black Bart’s Brunch and you can have the most tasty breakfast sandwich ever! The owner’s are also my neighbors and live right across the mountain. They are helping Penguin Pups by coming up with a special menu for healthy meals for children. We get to buy tickets from them and give the tickets to families in need so they can take their children to get nutritious meals made for them. The parents don’t have to worry about cooking or putting food together to provide their children with much needed nutrition.

Day 3 – We will have a yummy breakfast cooked by my mommy and then go up to Treasure Falls for a day long hike and swim in the creek.

Day 4 – Early in the morning we will go on a hot air balloon ride so you can see our beautiful town from above. Then we will go downtown and visit all the really cool local shops. For lunch we will go to The Lost Cajun. My mom likes their Lobster Bisque. Amanda, the owner, makes me a special fish without breading or much seasoning. They have really good french fries and everyone loves their fried catfish. Amanda’s husband, Eddie, will probably come say hi and be silly with us.

Day 5 – We will go setup camp in my favorite camping spot out at Devil’s Creek. There are really fun places to hike and ride ATV’s. We can go fishing in the creek too. I’ve never caught any fish there, but it’s still so much fun. Before bed, we will have a campfire where I will teach you how to make a hobo meal. They’re really tasty. We can roast marshmallows after.

Day 6 – Camping is so much fun so we will spend the day at the campsite exploring and cooking over the fire for breakfast and lunch. For dinner I will take you to Chavolo’s Mexican Restaurant. They have awesome food and will even put all your food on different plates if you don’t like food to touch. I recommend their rice and beans. I always get guacamole and put it on the flour tortillas. My mom recommends their margaritas. The employees and management are all really nice and will remember your name and give you a hug when you come in. After dinner I will take you to The Healing Waters. We have the deepest natural hot springs in the world. The Guinness World Record has the depth measured at over 1,002 feet. The actual depth is unknown because they ran out of tape measure. The waters contain 13 different minerals, so that is why they call it the healing waters.

Day 7 – Since it’s Sunday, We will go to church together and then have a yummy pizza at Black Bart’s Brunch. They have all kinds of fancy pizzas, but Christie and Bart make me a special cheese pizza that everyone will love, and strawberries and whipped cream for dessert! Before you leave, I will take you out to my favorite hiking trail out past William’s Creek Reservoir.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mom has gotten me to where I am today, as well as the support from my Poppy, MomMom and other family and friends.

Their belief in me has been the rock of my journey, providing both the emotional and practical support needed to overcome challenges and seize opportunities. Each word of encouragement, each shared moment of joy and sadness, has given me the resilience and love that I carry with me every day.

From being there for my television appearance as the sole child on The Blox, (the largest startup show on the planet for entrepreneurs), to celebration dinners after milestones are achieved, my family has been there through thick and thin. Their sacrifices and dedication have instilled in me a deep sense of gratitude and a drive to pay it forward. It’s because of them that I strive to be the best version of myself, aiming not only to succeed, but also to lift up those around me.

In moments of doubt, I remember my Poppy’s reassuring smile and my MomMom’s big hugs. I think of my mommy’s tireless efforts and the countless times she’s cheered me on. Together, they have shaped me into someone who values community, cherishes relationships, and understands the impact of kindness and support.

As I look to the future, I am filled with hope and determination, knowing that I am never truly alone on this journey. The love and strength of my family are my guiding stars, and with them, I am ready to face whatever comes next.

Website: https://penguinpups.com

Instagram: elijahsantics

Facebook: https://facebook.com/PenguinPups

Other: Email – orders@penguinpups.com

phone – 970-317-4141

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