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Author & Young Entrepreneur: Meet 12-year-old Amia A. Wheatley

While Millennial and Gen Z youths are taken up with the latest online trends and tik-tok challenges, 12-year-old Amia A. Wheatley has already written her first book. Photo: Provided
A former student of the Francis Lettsome Primary School and currently in 7th grade at the Elmore Stout High School (ESHS), Amia, a then ten-year-old, through the book, “Irma Through My Eyes” chronicled her first-time experiences living through the horrors of the category five Hurricane Irma. Photo: Amazon Books
A former student of the Francis Lettsome Primary School and currently in 7th grade at the Elmore Stout High School (ESHS), Amia, a then ten-year-old, through the book, “Irma Through My Eyes” chronicled her first-time experiences living through the horrors of the category five Hurricane Irma. Photo: Amazon Books
Amia A. Wheatley said her company makes lip glosses, lip balm, lip oils, lip scrubs and body shimmers amounts other product, “I also paint pictures and face paint at parties.
Amia A. Wheatley said her company makes lip glosses, lip balm, lip oils, lip scrubs and body shimmers amounts other product, “I also paint pictures and face paint at parties." Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- While lots of Millennial and Gen Z youths are taken up with the latest online trends and tik-tok challenges, 12-year-old Amia A. Wheatley has already written her first book and is using her time and energy to pursue ambitious goals that will secure her future.

For this young Virgin Islander, authoring a book was just the beginning as he revealed she now has her eyes set on the cosmetics world.

‘Irma through my eyes’

A former student of the Francis Lettsome Primary School and currently in 7th grade at Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS), Amia, a then ten-year-old, through the book, “Irma Through My Eyes”, chronicled her experiences living through the horrors of the category five Hurricane Irma.

She wrote about her journey of not knowing what to expect and uncertain faith of her family and country through the disaster. 

Now with Irma behind, Amia has moved forward to venture into creating her own cosmetics business called “Mimi's Lips,’ a company formed through financing from her mother, Alfreda Wheatley.

Long line of products 

She said the company makes lip glosses, lip balm, lip oils, lip scrubs and body shimmers among other products. Amia also paints pictures and does face painting at parties.

According to this conscious and conscientious young Virgin Islander, one of the more gratifying parts of having her own business is seeing the smiles on her customers' faces.

She noted; however, some challenges remain the handling of packages.

While our upcoming young professional still wishes to also become a Baker and a Doctor, she said she remains focused on education with the assurance that, “one day I hope I will be able to pursue everything.”

COVID-19 & Beyond 

Turning her attention to coping through the COVID-19 pandemic, Amia said it has definitely affected the lip gloss business but she had to adapt.

"I came up with a new idea of making face masks and hand sanitisers which were successful.”

She said: “It has been hard because we couldn't go to school or do the stuff that we normally do in or everyday life,” she said when asked about how the pandemic affected her family life. 

Amia said herself and family have been ensuring they follow all the COVID-19 guidelines and thanked the Government for their handling of the situation, “they've done a good job keeping us all safe." 

To other young persons with dreams and ambitions, Amia said, “Don't give up, keep trying and believing and it will happen one day. Find that thing you are good at and that one person that believes in your dream and run with it.”

7 Responses to “Author & Young Entrepreneur: Meet 12-year-old Amia A. Wheatley”

  • Concerned (17/07/2020, 13:44) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congratulation, stay focus
  • the rock (17/07/2020, 13:57) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nice- the time is now young generation- go for it!
  • Supporter (17/07/2020, 18:39) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congrats Mia.. keep aiming high and making strives.. plus your lip balms are the bomb!
  • Whole life (18/07/2020, 00:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a very positive article and continue to strive but please don't forget to be a child you are only twelve I said that with best intentions for you
  • Tiara (19/07/2020, 23:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great job young kady im sure your family are beaming with joy and so proud of you. Its great to read about such an ambitious young lady.
  • The Deek (20/07/2020, 11:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Real Bigg upp MIMI proud roll see u excelling in this journey keep that same energy especially when your are faced with uncertainty.Don’t Believe the hype seek to KNOW YOURSLEF and u will continue to rise like the INCREDIBLE U R

    Shine infinitely MIMI love alone
  • Teacher (20/07/2020, 14:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Awesome job Amia. Continue to work hard and aim for your dream. With your continuous hard work and determination you're on the road to greatness. All the best in your future endeavours.


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