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LEWISTOWN -- Entrepreneurs come in all shapes, sizes, ages and backgrounds.
Age, in particular, is no barrier to entry. You need a solid idea, unshakeable belief, a tenacious work ethic, and a market that wants your product or service.
Easier said than done. But through effort and determination, entrepreneurial success can be achieved.
Proving age doesn't matter is 13-year-old Easton Lepley of Lewistown. The young man used his jolt of inspiration to start a business -- Just Ducking Around Calls.
Inspiration can strike anywhere. For Easton, his journey into the business world came when he went goose hunting.
"The thing that got me into it to start was going on a goose hunt and buying a goose call. I learned the technique and skill you have to have and wanted to try duck calling," he said. "So, I bought a call and noticed handmade calls on the Internet. I wanted to try it out and realized I could make a business out of it."
Next came learning how to make duck calls and using a lathe.
"I learned to make them from a combination of YouTube videos and my Uncle Tony Lepley, who is a very good woodworker. He taught me the basics of using a lathe," Ethan said.
As with any venture, every beginning has a steep learning curve. It was no different for Easton and his business.
"When I started, I knew nothing about what a business entailed other than advertising and product inventory. My mom is an entrepreneur who helped me out a lot with starting my business and advertisement," he said. "One of the most difficult things throughout the process of starting my business is advertising and getting people interested in my calls because there are more skilled and talented call makers I am competing against."
Easton credits his parents for helping him get his business off the ground and giving him the knowledge and encouragement during the always tricky start-up period.
"My parents are the most supportive out of anybody. They helped me a lot with starting costs and supply fees," Lepley said. "My mom helped me the most by helping me spread the word about this whole thing. She got me many orders and is one reason my business is growing."
Easton's mother, Britney Hall, a marketing mentor with Monat Global, a naturally based haircare, skincare and wellness company, couldn't be more proud and happy about her son's entrepreneurial aspirations.
"My husband, Cory and I, couldn't be more proud of Easton and his desire to pursue a business at such a young age. When he said he wanted to do this, we were all in. He did research independently to figure out the materials and tools he would need, then saved up the money to purchase a lathe, drill press, and reed inserts," she said. "Throughout this brief journey, Easton learned the value of providing a quality product and excellent customer service. Having him learn hard work pays off is so rewarding and seeing the support of many of our family members, friends, and other community members is the icing on the cake."
Entrepreneurship is all about self-reliance and reaching your full potential as an individual. Easton has set big goals for himself and his business. He hopes to have a line of turkey calls soon.
"My goals are to become one of the better call makers in Pennsylvania and maybe even the United States," he said. "I am saving all my money to buy myself a dirt bike. I would like this to be a chance for me to make money and start myself off to live in the real world."
At just 13, Easton Lepley is well on his way to success in the real world and making his dent in the universe.
You can find Just Ducking Around Calls on Facebook. Just go to www.facebook.com/groups/662492221696113