Maddie Bradshaw is a 13-year-old straight A Student that started her business called M3 Girl Designs, after having trouble finding fun decorations for her middle-school locker. She still finds time to play lacrosse, tennis, and is a member of the swim team. She also runs the company with her 9-year-old sister Margot helps who helps in design and painting of some of the bottle caps, while her mom Diane is CEO and responsible for all the finances of the company.
Maddie is currently working on their latest project known as Snap Caps, which lets girls swap out the bottle caps to suit their outfit and mood. Each necklace sells for $14-15, and you can buy bottle caps separately (perfect for decorating the inside of lockers, too).
Snap Caps can be worn on necklaces, in hairpins, or as bracelets.
Snap Caps was featured at the Teen Choice Awards and now bring in $1.6 million in revenue.
Hello Maddie, Thanks for taking time to do this interview, i know you must be busy with homework, how are you doing?
I am great! I was rehearsing a lot last week for a school play, it turned out really well.
What inspired you to start? How did the business start?
I wanted to create something fun, magnetic, and easy to use for my locker. My uncle had an old-fashioned coke machine, and I started taking all the bottle caps and making drawings inside them and putting magnets on the back. My friends asked me to make them for their lockers as well. We traded them back and forth so much I knew I was onto something. That was when I decided to make “wearable art” and I created my first necklace.
How is it going so far?
We are very lucky; SNAP CAPS ® has been very successful. I have received many emails from other teens all over the world that have heard of SNAP CAPS ® and are inspired by the business
How did you finance your business?
I invested $300 of my own money, my mom matched it. To date, our business is 100% debt free
How many employees do you have?
30
What do you enjoy the most about running a business and also your dislikes?
Traveling and learning life lessons that most 13 year old's can't experience.
How do you cope with your school work and running a business?
I only draw the original artwork and our team reproduces it and handpaints all of the bottle caps. I still make time to hang out with my friends and do regular things
How do you cope with the pressure?
Pressure? My business doesn't cause me pressure. I love to draw. I find it very relaxing .
What’s been the most valuable lesson you’ve learnt so far?
The importance of community and giving back.
What are your hobbies?
I love to play sports, and have fun with my friends! I am on the Lacrosse team; I swim, and play tennis. I like to go to movies and listen to music as well
Who is your role model?
Albert Einstein and my parents
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Hopefully, my freshman year at Princeton.
Why did you name the company M3 girl design? Who picked out the name?
M3 stands for Maddie, my sister Margot and my mom. I picked it out.
What advice do you have for teens your age that have any idea?
Follow your dream; ask your parents for help, and make sure that what you do is fun. Because if it is fun, it is not really work!
Thanks Maddie for your time
Maddie will be appearing on the Nationally syndicated ABC Talk show THE VIEW This Friday (20th), and in San Diego this Saturday (21st) at a special signing at legendary toy store Geppetto.
Find out more about M3 Girl Designs
