COLUMBUS, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch and Grant McLaughlin

17-year-old Ellie Dawson, a senior and cheerleader at Heritage Academy, was looking for ways to make some extra money this Summer to put towards her college fund. She found a number of ways that were right up her alley: She not only trains younger students in tumbling and cheer, but she also juggles doing child care, dogsitting, and plant watering for hire: “I really didn’t think I would get as much (business) as I have,” Dawson said. “Once I started doing it, I realized this is a great way to earn some money as a young adult.”

“I enjoy it because I get to meet a lot of different people with the business,” she went on to say. “Especially through cheer, I can meet young girls and help them and it’s always fun because they’re so talkative. I also love animals when I’m dog sitting or if they have a cat I need to feed because who doesn’t love animals?” These activities have helped her to gain new skills while taking in some money:

“I’m definitely focused on time management between scheduling with all these people making sure I [go do the work] . . . I have to make sure that I’m keeping up with everything.” She is hoping to attend the University of Alabama, and to continue earning money during the school year, schedule permitting.

Please click here for the original article: https://cdispatch.com/news/2023-07-22/young-entrepreneurs-ellies-summer-jobs-help-dawson-learn-time-management-communication-skills/