Jayden Reid, a 13-year-old from Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland and Labrador, has turned his love for baking into a small business that raises money for local charities. His business, J.R.’s Cupcakes, has already raised over $6,000 for charities by selling cupcakes, cake pops, and other baked goodies on weekends.

Jayden’s journey started with his passion for baking and his favorite thing about it – taste testing. Through experimenting, he created the recipe for his favorite flavor, cookies and cream, which turned out to be a hit. This success motivated him to start selling his cupcakes.

Jayden takes pride in making all the ingredients for his cupcakes from scratch, including the cake batter and buttercream icing. He sells his cupcakes at local stores and markets, with the St. John’s Farmers’ Market being a fan favorite.

To help set up his business, Jayden reached out to Youth Ventures, a government-funded organization that assists students aged 12 to 29 in starting businesses. He was paired up with Alaina King, a coordinator at Youth Ventures, who helped him establish J.R.’s Cupcakes and arrange for him to sell his products at grocery stores and markets in the community.

Running his own business has taught Jayden valuable skills, such as managing money. He sells each cupcake for $3, and a box of six cupcakes costs $15. After covering the baking costs, Jayden donates all the proceeds to charities, including the Janeway Children’s Hospital Foundation. This cause is particularly important to him as his little sister was treated there.

Jayden has also partnered with Walmart to raise money for charities, including the Janeway Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Canadian Red Cross. His efforts have been recognized and appreciated by the Janeway Children’s Hospital Foundation, which acknowledged the impact of Jayden’s fundraising on children’s healthcare.

In recognition of his achievements, Jayden received the Community Impact Award and a letter of commendation from Andrew Furey, the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. The letter praised Jayden for his entrepreneurial spirit and acknowledged his accomplishment of starting his own business.

Looking ahead, Jayden plans to continue growing his business by selling cupcakes at a local Walmart. His goal is to raise an additional $3,000 by the end of the year.

Jayden’s story is inspiring and showcases the positive impact that young individuals can have on their communities through their passions and entrepreneurial endeavors. His dedication to giving back and making a difference is commendable, and his success serves as a reminder that anyone, regardless of age, can make a meaningful contribution to society.