There’s a quote putting, “life doesn’t come with a manual (手册); it comes with a mother.” Thankfully, for Jabez and Christopher, their manual — or mother — found a creative way to keep her little boys’ fingers safe around a sewing machine. And as a result, she turned them into successful business owners.
Queenie Jenkins from Atlanta worked in the fashion industry and in her spare time, made matching scarves and skirts on her sewing machine at home. But once she became a mother with two energetic boys at her feet, her hobby became both difficult and dangerous. So, she turned the problem into a life lesson. Jenkins taught her boys how to use the sewing machine skilfully and safely. It wasn’t long before the boys were no longer green hands. As they grew older, they knew how to change the trousers into shorts for the summer months well.
When Jabez’s elementary school held a Career Day, he made 30 bow ties and 30 hair bows to sell. Within minutes, all of them had sold out. Then Jabez launched Kings and Gents Accessories, a small workshop, in 2018 with his brother. In addition to making and selling their bow ties, the brothers have also written a book and created a YouTube channel to host meetings for other potential “kidpreneurs (儿童企业家).”
Now as a freshman in high school, Jabez said inspiring the next generation of business owners is an important part of their mission. “We just wanted to show younger kids how we got started, and how they can get started,” said Jabez, “We’re no different than any other kids.”
Jenkins has plenty to be proud of. Not only have her boys created a successful business, but they’ve gained valuable life skills along the way. “They’ve learned not to give up, to be more creative, and to be thinkers,” said Jenkins. “They don’t allow their fear to stop them.”
4. In which aspect do Jabez and Christopher benefit most from their mother’ sewing machine?
A.Life skills. | B.Safety rules. | C.Business plans. | D.Cloth materials. |
5. What do the underlined words “green hands” in paragraph 2 mean?
A.Awkward learners. | B.Attractive experts. |
C.Admirable pioneers. | D.Amazing artists. |
6. Which of the following best describes the brothers’ impact on other potential kidpreneurs?
A.Well-rounded. | B.One-sided. | C.Short-lived. | D.Far-reaching. |
7. What can be a suitable title for the text?
A.Mama’s sewing machine. | B.Business on the rocks. |
C.Sewing the seeds of success. | D.Developing creative thinking. |