13-Year-Old Entrepreneur Justin Heard Gives Individuals a Chance to Be Heard through Clothing Line
Justin Heard. (Picture by Daverria Peterson)
At just nine years old, Justin Heard had almost 40k views on his YouTube. Fast forward two years later and Heard became an entrepreneur by starting his own clothing line: Be Heard. Now, he’s 13 and just participated in his first pitch night.
“I really just like clothing in general,” said Heard. “I thought it would be cool to have my name on something.”
Youth organization PEAK Initiative held the “Boss Up Pitch Night” where Heard and six other youth entrepreneurs pitched their businesses. Heard was one of the few who already had an established business up and running.
Be Heard has been around for two years. (Picture provided by Be Heard)
“I’ve known Justin forever. I get my hair done at the hair salon his mom works at. I remember him telling me he wanted to start a business and right away I was excited to help him with his logo and everything,” said owner of Natural E Beautiful and organizer of the pitch night Imani Ray. “He went from getting [thousands] of views on YouTube to impacting those same viewers and his community with his powerful message to ‘Be Heard’.”
Entrepreneurship is nothing new to Heard. He comes from a family of entrepreneurs and business owners. Heard credits his mother for the success of his brand. Since he’s under 18, his mother orders his merchandise for him, runs his social media and helps him with his business endeavors.
“She’s an entrepreneur herself, so she’s an inspiration to me,” he said. “It’s helpful to find an adult to work aside of you.”
T-shirts and hoodies are just the start for Be Heard. He wants to branch off into socks, sweatpants and eventually start a workshop to teach kids how to be an entrepreneur because “they can be an entrepreneur too.”
Heard is working to make enough money from his business to pay for his college tuition and put his parents in early retirement.
“I want to make Be Heard as big as possible,” said Heard.
To support Be Heard, click here.