Meet Andwele Jones | Kidpreneur, Owner of Mega Air Jump

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andwele Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andwele, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My mom was my first motivation because she has a business and she encouraged us to start our own businesses but said it has to be something we enjoy doing. Well, I wanted to make money, have fun doing it and later become an example for other kids, too. I wanted my own hustle.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My mom encouraged me to start a business, even as a kid it could be done but it has to be something I enjoy doing. So, I chose to bounce houses because we (kids) love bounce houses. It makes a party lit! So, My auntie Shanecca Carter, owner of Remember The Giants. She gave me my start. She told me if I was serious about wanting to do this business, I had to come up with my own business name, logo and get it registered. I did! Then, she became my business mentor. She let me shadow her in her business, and later rent her inflatable castles to begin my own business. With her help and my parents, I learned how to pay myself, hire my brother and save to earn money to get my own inflatable castle to be official, official.

Unlike most people in a business like mine, I am a kid boss. They are adults, I know what we want. JK. 🙂 What sets me apart from others is I think I’m the youngest bounce house owner in the city! I’m most proud of being able to get clients, making them happy with my business and customer service, getting good reviews from them and making my own money. I shadowed and learned from (auntie) Shanecca Carter, owner of Remember The Giants, saved up enough money, with my parents help, to buy my own inflatable case. My mom helps with my contracts. My dad is my transportation and I hired my brother and later my cousin to help me with set up and take down.

Lessons, I’ve learned in business, are patience because business doesn’t always come fast or often., not to overwhelm myself by overthinking and communication, approaching people and speaking professionally with clients but not being to stuff shirt, professional but excited about what I do, BRING THE FUN to their event.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Six Flags would definitely be on the list. Main Attraction Roller Coasters, it’s like flying, the death drops, the speed ALL gets my adrenaline going! We gone hit up Altitude Trampoline Park, for the obvious, the jump action, flips and trampoline basketball and catch a movie at Lancaster Movie Theater, it’s cheap and the homeboys meet up. Main Event and Dave Busters! We would definitely hit up HOPEBOYS KITCHEN, my favorite! gotta turn him onto to that frito pie, smash burger, vegan shrimp tacos and that STRAWBERRY Cake, EeeWE and its black-owned. Serious Pizza is on the list to, huge pizza and its’ smackin, too! We gone stop by Pan-African Connections to check out Bambata’s clothing line, YK1K. This brother has real cool gym bags, jersey shorts and lids (hats), he to is a black-owned business hat’s from and lives in Dallas like me. So, I’d definitely make that introduction.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My auntie Shanecca Carter, owner of Remember The Giants. She gave me my start. She told me if I was serious about wanting to do this business, I had to come up with my own business name, logo and get it registered. I did! Then, she became my business mentor. She let me shadow her in her business, and later rent her inflatable castles to begin my own business. With her help and my parents, I learned how to pay myself, hire my brother and save to earn money to get my own inflatable castle to be official, official.

Website: www.facebook.com/megaairjump

Instagram: www.instagram.com/megaairjump