C o v e r s t o ry A Zest for Business: Meet 6-Year-Old ‘Kidpreneur’
Marlee Rae S
ocial media and kids don’t always mix well, but TikTok is a secret ingredient inspiring one young Valley kidpreneur. Marlee Rae Cuff is well on her way to becoming a successful business owner – at the tender age of 6.
As an active social media user and influencer, Marlee’s mom, LaNea Barnes Cuff, is keenly aware of the downside of social media, but she’s also well versed in the light-hearted, inspiring content that can make the platforms so much fun. Scrolling TikTok together, the duo came across videos of girls making lemonade. The creative editing and energy caught Marlee’s attention. She was captivated by the lively shots of mashing, mixing, and shaking. “It was kind of exciting to see something that wasn’t a traditional TikTok dance. That’s what made her intrigued,” LaNea explains. Together, they took a deeper dive into the young creators’ stories and learned these enterprising girls weren’t just making lemonade to sell out of their driveways; some were selling their products at markets and at parties. One day, out of the blue, Marlee asked, “Can we make lemonade?” LaNea recalls being intimidated, but she channeled that apprehension into action and started taking notes. As they kept watching, she began listing equipment they might need and listened for recipe ideas to borrow.
14 | NOVEMBER 2023 | EPIC KIDS
EPICKIDSAZ.COM
