Teenpreneur to appear on national television

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

Local seventh-grader Joseph Cofer, a young entrepreneur who launched Schmancy Popsicles last spring, will be jetting off to Burbank, California, on Sunday with his parents to appear on a nationally televised TV show. His segment on “The Real,” a daily talk show, will air Nov. 20.

The trip takes place after their biggest weekend yet, according to his mother, Kellie Cofer. On Friday, they will be selling popsicles at Osceola Elementary School’s 60th Year Celebration, and later at Artisan Alley Farmers’ Market in DeLand. On Saturday, they will be at Pine Trail Elementary Fall Festival.

After getting to California, they’ll have to make popsicles in the show’s kitchen before the taping.

“What a whirlwind,” Cofer said.

She said that after getting the idea last year for making homemade popsicles to earn some spending money, her son spent months developing recipes, logos and a website and his first paid event was last April.

His Schmancy Popsicles, are made with fresh, all-natural ingredients, and he sells them to large groups, company or school events and at local farmers markets. He also delivers orders he receives through his website, getSchmancy.com.

Cofer said she was surprised when she received a call from one of the show’s producers.

“I asked how they heard about us and they haven’t let me know yet,” she said.

She was asked to submit a one-minute video of Joseph talking about his product. Twenty-four hours after the Cofers sent it, they received a call from the show saying they wanted to fly them out for the show.

She said her son is thrilled, but taking it in stride.

She said the first thing he thought of was to contact his teachers so that he can do his homework on the trip and won’t fall behind.

“I didn’t think about that and I’m the parent,” she said.

She said she doesn’t know what effect the show will have.

“It could just be a blip on the screen or it could be huge,” she said. “It’s a fun adventure.”

She said she and her husband have told him that if he ever wants to get out of the business, it’s his decision.

“He enjoys taking the money to the bank,” she said.