While many children spend their free time playing games or watching television, 11-year-old Gauri Singh has already stepped into the world of business through her growing brand, Gauri’s Gifts of Joy.

The Grade 5 learner from Centennial Schools in Sunninghill said she discovered her business-minded side after creating handmade jewellery at the age of nine.

Her creativity has since grown into a business focused on thoughtful gift collections. “My first product was jewellery. I wanted to be independent and make my own money.”

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Today, the young entrepreneur spends her time carefully selecting products, putting together themed gift collections, and preparing orders alongside her mother.

“My favourite part is buying the products and packing them together with my mom. Choosing the different products and putting them together in pretty bags or boxes.”

Her collections are inspired by what people enjoy and the joy that comes from giving meaningful gifts to loved ones. After recently focusing on Mother’s Day collections, she is now working on new Father’s Day gift ideas.

“I look at things people love and enjoy, and I try make people happy and excited.”

One of the highlights of her entrepreneurial journey so far has been receiving recognition from her school, and seeing more people discover her products.

“Being featured by the school and getting the opportunity for people to see my products has been very exciting.”

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Another memorable moment came when the owner of Polofields Spar approached her mother about supplying products to his stores. “I do understand it’s a huge privilege.”

Although her business is still growing, Gauri already has big dreams for the future. Beyond gift collections and jewellery, she hopes to one day expand into baking and skincare. Currently, she supplies her products to a range of big retailers and businesses in Crowthorne and Kyalami.

“I would love to have businesses where people are happy with my products and the food I’m selling. I want my business to grow and become successful.”

Shaun Fuchs, founder and CEO of Centennial Schools, believes that South Africa’s schools hold the key to transforming our entrepreneurial landscape.

“Our education system has remained largely unchanged for decades. We continue to teach for employment, not for innovation, but if we want to create a generation of job creators, rather than job seekers, we need to embed entrepreneurial learning into the curriculum.”

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