Teen entrepreneur Julian Reyes’ advice is to start young.
The 15-year-old is the owner of Turns, Burns, and More, a business making wooden pens that he sells for anywhere from $30 to $180.
“Just do it, the earlier you start the faster you’re going to get up and running, and be successful earlier,” Reyes said.
The inspiration came to him when some wooden pens caught his eye at an art market. A man was selling the pens that he made.
He ended up showing Reyes the ropes, introducing him to the pen-making process at his shop, which made him catch “wood fever.”
Now Reyes has his own set-up in his parents’ Homestead garage. When he’s in full production mode or he’s preparing to sell at a market, he produces up to 20 pens a week.
Taking shape
The process is labor intensive, but Reyes has managed to perfect his craft from one hour down to 20 minutes.
Reyes uses wood, resin or fordite. He begins with a block of the material, drills a hole, and glues a brass tube for rigidity into the pen blank.
He then uses a specialized press that pushes the pen part into the brass tube, completing the process.
The results are unique pens that feel sturdy and substantial.
Not his first rodeo
At 8, Reyes started a baking business called Great Bake, selling his mom’s banana bread. It didn’t last long.
“My mom shut it down, because she was having to do too much of the baking,” he said.
He also had a turn at plumbing, inspired by his dad who works in air conditioning and leatherworking.
Reyes said his drive to earn isn’t only about making a profit. He also wants to donate his time and money to shelters.
“I’m all about community outreach,” he said.
Currently, Reyes buys materials at Turner’s Warehouse in Gilbert. He orders pre-made metal kits with diverse themes, including fishing, weapons and dragons.
He eventually wants to learn to make his own metal kits for his pens and he plans to eventually add cutting boards and bowls to his wood creations.
“The only regret is wishing I would have started sooner,” Reyes said.
