Meet Joel | Entrepreneur

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

Hi Joel, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Moose+Goose DIY Bead Bar was born out of spite and boredom. It’s my summer break before entering middle school, where I’ve been told will be a shock to my system in more ways than one, and all I wanted to do was play videogames and hide from the summer heat. My mom makes my brother and I take, what she likes to call, “brain breaks” throughout the day to get us away from the screens. One of our brain breaks is crafting, and one of those crafts happens to be stringing beads. On one of these breaks, I was complaining about how it was taking precious gaming time away from me, she said “Hey. Lots of kids would love to make bracelets. People would pay to play with all this stuff.” Of course I didn’t believe her, but her comment did get my gears turning. “People would pay? What people would pay for bracelets?” I asked her. “Lots of people, I own bracelets made by small scale artists!” she responded. The rest of the conversation kind of went like this;
“So if I make bracelets, I can sell them?”
“Sure! But it will take time produce them. Might be more appealing if you allowed others to make their own. You already have all the materials.”
“Wait. People will pay to make their own? Why would they pay to do their own labor?”
“Is it labor, or is it an experience? I love making bracelets and crafting because it’s fun! I would gladly pay to participate.”
“Ok. We’ll see if it works”
“You’ll see if what works?”
“I want to see if I can actually make money this summer selling this experience.”
“If you want to try, go for it! But it means putting actual effort, and being away from your room, are you willing to do that?”
“Yeah! I mean, I’ve been talking about starting my own business for years now. We do Shark Tanks at school and everything. Yeah! Let’s do it!”
And BOOM! just like that, Moose+Goose DIY Bead Bar was born. It’s called Moose and Goose after myself and my brother, because if I’m going to start on this adventure, he’s coming with me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Art has always been one of my favorite subjects in school. My family has always encouraged my artistic expression, and allowed me to paint large artworks that hang in our home, including a mural of mine on our kitchen wall. My paintings, collages, and drawings are all put on display throughout my home. I love to take discarded materials and make something out of what others would call nothing. I currently have a painting on an old table top hanging in the dining area, and another work I did alongside my brother and pets, on a piece of wood we found in the street, hanging in the middle of our living room. I am fortunate to come from a family that builds people up, and believes everyone’s talents are worthy of recognition and praise. Although I tried hard to resist my mom’s idea of beading being fun, I have to admit it really is. Being able to not only see the beads colors and shapes, but also feel them between my fingers is very satisfying. There’s even beauty when the unfortunate happens and the beads slip off of the string and scatter across the floor, the sound of the pinging beads makes me smile. Moose+Goose DIY Bead Bar wants to share that with anyone who also finds the beauty in creating, making mistakes, having fun, making something unique you can wear and share with others. When was the last time you made a friendship bracelet?

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?
If they are coming in from the Denver Airport the first thing I would point out is Bluecifer! I love that creepy horse! On the way home, I’d make sure they’re looking out the window taking in the beauty of Colorado with our mountains in the distance. Then our first stop would be my house where I’d show them all the cool Lego builds I’ve made. When we got hungry I’d take them to my favorite restaurant Pho 9 out in Littleton. For a good time, we’d ride our bikes on any of the trails, take in the views, and wild life all around us. Since it’s summer, the Colorado Renaissance Festival would be a go to destination. Everyone is so creative, and really makes the place come to life. Paint Mine Open Space is one of my favorite places, kind of other worldly. Last time I was there snow was melting and making different colored mud because of the different sediments. I was able to paint myself a little with the different colors of the earth.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shout out to my teachers at STEM for preparing me to start my own business. All the economics and social studies lessons are being put to use now.
Shout out to Young Ameritowne for giving me a taste of what commerce is like.
Shout out to my mom for giving me the idea.
Shout out to my family for supporting me. My dad for backing my idea. I love you Aime and Abuela!

Instagram: Moosegoose_beads

Image Credits
Nicole Ami