- Kenzie Mabrey
- North Atlanta High School, sophomore
Kenzie Mabrey is taking her creativity and using it to help others.
Kenzie was 14 years old when she started Beads for Ben, a jewelry business in which she states on her website that she is “beading for the cure.” Her 10-year-old cousin, Ben, has autism, a disorder that affects the brain, and Down syndrome, a chromosomal disorder. Watching Ben struggle made Kenzie want to help.
“I have learned how serious autism is,“ Kenzie said. “A lot of people don’t realize how serious it can be, they just think it’s really minor.”
The Buckhead resident participates in the Autism Speaks walk with her aunt every year. When she was told that she had the ability to donate money to the cause, the 16-year-old immediately brainstormed a way to raise as much money as possible.
Kenzie sells her bracelets to her peers, her mom’s friends, and others through her website and Facebook. While she mainly does custom orders, Kenzie tries to make at least one bracelet per day. The bracelets vary in style and color, and incorporate small, decorative items. Bracelets on the website range from $12 to $60. Last year, Kenzie’s goal was to make $1,000, but she was able to raise $2,700.
“I was really surprised actually, I didn’t think I would ever make that much money,” Kenzie said. “But I was really proud. I didn’t think I would get that far, so it was just very exciting.”
Kenzie swims at her school, runs on the cross-country team, plays lacrosse, and participates in Odyssey of the Mind, a competition for creative problem-solving. Due to her busy schedule, Kenzie feels that time management has been the hardest part of maintaining the business. Throughout the process, her jewelry-making skills have become much stronger; Kenzie now teaches a few classes a month at a store in Buckhead.
“I have met a lot of people who have experienced the same thing with family members that have [autism], and they’ve inspired me,” Kenzie said. “I have met people who have helped me through it and kept me going when I get overwhelmed.”
Kenzie also feels that her friends have been very supportive. Two of them were able to join her on the Autism Speaks walk last year.
“Some just want me to make them bracelets, but then when I tell them the purpose of the business … I think they really want to help,” Kenzie said.
Throughout the process, Kenzie’s relationship with her cousin and his family has become much stronger. Kenzie describes Ben as a “cute and adorable little kid” who is very friendly and loves music.
Last year, Kenzie was a vendor at a fashion show that benefited The Agape Center, an organization that supports underprivileged families in Atlanta. Margot Shuford, who has known Kenzie since she was in the first grade, is a volunteer there and was able to work with Kenzie at the event. All other vendors were run by adults, and Shuford said that when the middle school girls saw someone their own age with a business, they saw her as a role-model.
Shuford also says that Kenzie is a mature, confident, and independent teenager; she “does her own thing” and does not worry about what others think.
“Kenzie is very dedicated, and has been extremely compassionate ever since she was a little girl,” Shuford said. “She is one of those who is friends with everybody and reaches out to everybody.”
To order a bracelet visit Beadsforben.com.
What’s Next:
Kenzie’s goal is to sell enough bracelets to make $5,000 this year. She would like to create different types of bracelets, and continue the business for as long as she can. Kenzie is still young to decide, but is thinking about attending an out-of-state college; she would love a school in a city.