07 Sep 2025 Kid of the Month: Zoe Howlett

Posted at 4:07 PMh in Neighbors by

By KD Reep

When Tiara Howlett’s 6-year-old daughter, Zoe, set up her first lemonade stand during COVID-19, neither could have imagined how a simple idea would change their lives — and the lives of countless young Arkansans.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders proclaimed July as “Children’s Business Fair Month,” recognizing that the fairs promote financial literacy, leadership and innovation.

At the time, Howlett had lost her job, and the family was teetering on the edge of homelessness. Zoe, inspired by a YouTube video, asked her mom if she could try selling lemonade. Howlett, with no background in entrepreneurship, bought a small stand, a bucket of ice and some powdered lemonade. Positioned on the corner of their block, Zoe’s smile and spirit drew in passersby. By the end of the first day, she had earned $972.

“That lemonade stand took us from homeless to homeowners,” Tiara recalled. “It wasn’t just about the money — it was about seeing what was possible.”

Zoe’s success lit a fire in Howlett to help other children discover the power of entrepreneurship. She noticed few kids were talking about business or had peers who shared those interests. Wanting Zoe to stay motivated and connected to like-minded youth, Howlett began searching for opportunities.

That’s when she found the Acton Children’s Business Fair, a national program that gives young people the chance to launch and run their own small businesses in a supportive environment. After applying and interviewing, Howlett became a franchise partner. She launched the Beacon of Hope Children’s Business Fairs under the umbrella of her nonprofit, the Beacon of Hope Youth Foundation, which serves foster, homeless and at-risk youth.

The fairs, open to young entrepreneurs ages 6 to 18, help them develop business plans, set prices, market their products and interact face-to-face with customers. They also learn resilience when sales are slow, creativity in a competitive environment and confidence in explaining their ideas to strangers.

In Arkansas, Howlett has taken the Acton model a step further. She championed the Arkansas Minor Micro-Business Act, known as the SoCE Law, which is the first legislation of its kind in the nation. The law allows minors to operate micro-businesses under a structured framework, requiring sales tax compliance, parental consent, and for certain ventures, food safety training. Most notably, it mandates that 10 percent of each participant’s earnings be placed in a locked savings account untouchable by parents or guardians.

Victonia Davis (from left), Zoe Howlett, Chyler Coleman and Ja’Riyah Witherspoon sport T-shirts to advertise their brands.

“There’s no law that protects young people from predatory people or companies that take their earnings,” Howlett explained. “I wanted kids to know they could plan for their future and build a good relationship with a bank from an early age.”

Howlett sat down with kids to ask what they wanted in this law, and the answer was clear: their money protected and their futures secure. In July, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued a proclamation declaring the month Children’s Business Fair Month in Arkansas, recognizing the fairs for promoting financial literacy, leadership and innovation.

For 13-year-old Chyler Coleman, owner of Chyler’s Creations, the fairs have been a launchpad. “I feel like I’m a better speaker now,” she said. “My business started slowly, but now I have a nice booth, a banner and people reach out to me.” Her handmade beaded and epoxy creations from bracelets and earrings, to custom coasters, have found a growing customer base.

“Getting to see my ideas come to life and share them with the community is really cool,” said 10-year-old Gracie Jo Van Dorple. “It’s like I get to be the boss of my own adventure.”

“This program has given her a sense of ownership and responsibility that no classroom lesson ever could,” her mother said.

These students are part of Beacon of Hope Youth Business Fair. They have a board of directors and meet to make decisions to benefit the group. Franchise owner Tiara Howlett sets up fairs so the young entrepreneurs can sell their products.

This fall, Central Arkansas residents will have six opportunities to shop locally and support the next generation of entrepreneurs:

Southwest Community Center 

Little Rock | Saturday, Sept. 6 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Cabot RailYard

Cabot | Friday, Sept. 19 | 5 p.m.–9 p.m.

Little Rock Vendor Expo

Little Rock | Wednesday Oct. 15 | 12 p.m.–5 p.m.

Pulaski County Sheriff’s Fall Festival,

Little Rock | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Plaza FridaY

Little Rock | Sunday, Oct. 26 | 3 p.m.-7 p.m. 

Dunbar Magnet Middle School,

Little Rock | Friday, Nov. 21 | 4 p.m.-8 p.m.

The events are free to attend, offering an open-air marketplace where the public can purchase directly from kid-run businesses.

“This is important work because it creates a generational impact,” Howlett said. “If we instill these values in the generation coming up now, they’ll pass it down to their children. We’re building leaders for the future.”

Her vision is to see these young business owners grow into adults who lead companies, launch nonprofits and create solutions that strengthen their communities. From Zoe’s first pitcher of lemonade to a statewide movement in youth entrepreneurship, Howlett’s story is proof that with creativity, support and opportunity, kids can do more than dream — they can build.