Photo Credits -- Francyne Joe

By Noah Rishaug

Young Entrepreneurs

Local siblings’ bracelet company catches attention of Prime Minister

Mar 11, 2023 | 2:59 PM

KAMLOOPS — The siblings’ entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to their craft have paid off. Recently, one of their key chains caught the attention of none other than the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Photo Credit — Shelbi DeNeef

During the covid-19 pandemic. Shelbi DeNeef taught her children Marlee and Jaxson DeNeef how to bead to kill the long lockdown hours. In the spring of 2022, the duo decided that they had developed their skills enough to monetize their hobby to work towards buying a virtual reality headset.

“They wanted the new virtual reality oculus. By the summer they had sold 100 key chains at five dollars a piece to purchase the new Oculus.” Shelbi DeNeef stated.

The children had a goal in mind beyond just the VR headset. Using a family connection to the political world in Ottawa. One of their key chain was passed along to a family member who works in proximity to the Prime Minister.

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During a reception for the President of the European Commission in Ottawa. The bracelet was passed along to the Prime Minister, who was told the story of Marlee and Jaxson’s business. Trudeau was allegedly impressed with the young students’ entrepreneurial spirit. And passed along his thanks after accepting, and snapping a photo with the trinket.

Marlee and Jaxson are still creating these bracelets, and are donating a portion of their proceeds to orange shirt day. In honour of their great grandparents’ history at a residential school.