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Boca Raton, FL August 30, 2016 – Skylar Mandell, a 2016 graduate of the Boca Chamber’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) has taken her business to a new level. What started as a bracelet business called, “Moody Buddhi”, has quickly evolved into the growing success that is the Florida Sea Turtle Company.
YEA! is a nine-month program that walks students in grades 6-12 through the process of starting their own, REAL businesses. Skylar Mandell, a junior at Saint Andrew’s School in Boca Raton, did just that. Originally, her company focused on designing bracelets of all types. Soon after, Skylar’s Aunt paid a visit to one of her favorite local shops, Blueline Surf and Paddle in Jupiter, Fla., while wearing one of Skylar’s custom designs. Blueline agreed to sell a few of the bracelets as a trial run. Not only did the bracelets sell, but customers began to specifically request one particular design: a brightly colored beaded bracelet with a simple sea turtle charm.
Skylar filled an order of 50 bracelets for Blueline, but in just two short weeks, they were looking to order more! With the help of Skylar’s mom, Stephanie, and younger sister, Sydney, the Florida Sea Turtle Company was launched – with a focus on giving back to the community.
Skylar commented, “My mom and I started to research sea turtle conservation organizations in our state, and we were surprised to learn that Florida has one of the largest populations of these majestic animals that are on the endangered species list. We wanted to help, to really make a difference, so we came up with the idea to start a company where we can make bracelets, sell them locally, and donate 10% of all proceeds to Sea Turtle Conservation Centers in Florida.”
The Mandell family has come together in the past three months and have personally handmade and sold nearly 2,000 bracelets. They are currently available at the following locations:
• Boardroom on Atlantic (Delray, FL)
• Mora Girls (Deerfield Beach, FL)
• Fannies Finds (Parkland, FL)
• Blueline Surf & Paddle (Jupiter, FL)
• Gumbo Limbo Gift Shop (Boca Raton, FL)
• Daggerwing Nature Center (Boca Raton, FL)
• Sonic Surf Shop (Ft. Pierce, FL)
• Gift Shack at Office Depot Foundation (Boca Raton, FL)
• Suncoast Surf Shop (Treasure Island, FL)
• Salty Dog Surf Shop (Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach)
• Cathy’s Place (Cape Cod, MA)
What started as a simple idea in the Boca Chamber’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy program has developed into a successful business that has major local economic benefits. In fact, Skylar gave the first donation from Florida Sea Turtle Company’s profits to Gumbo Limbo right here in Boca Raton. It’s her dream that this company can truly make a difference. Rest assured, it already has.
For more information on the Florida Sea Turtle Company, please visit www.Floridaseaturtlecompany.com or send an email to Floridaseaturtlecompany@gmail.com.
Article source: http://www.bocaratonchamber.com/External/WCPages/WCNews/NewsArticleDisplay.aspx?ArticleID=749
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