Liam McNally
A Hillside teenager has been nominated in two categories in the 2022 Victorian 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards after developing a successful small business, and using that platform to launch a social enterprise.
Kiana Jackson has been nominated for the HR gurus career achievement award as well as the strategic alliance network small business award.
In 2020, the now 17-year-old returned from three months of study at a Japanese international school to a Melbourne in lockdown.
During lockdowns she began practising origami, a hobby which quickly developed, into a small business, Kiana Mei Design.
Kiana Mei Design sells origami-based art at over 70 markets in Melbourne, including at permanent stalls at St Kilda Esplanade and Queen Victoria night markets.
Kiana said with hard work and determination she built her business to a $70,000 a year income stream while studying year 11 full-time.
“Being nominated for both the awards is definitely something that I feel very honoured about, especially to have my work and what I do recognised, it definitely is such a privilege to have been chosen for both categories.”
Kiana is ready to use her business platform to launch a social enterprise, a series of “zero-cost” markets for stallholders under the age of 18.
Kiana said she hopes to support young people with their entrepreneurial journey.
“Mentoring them and giving them advice and allowing them to start their business in a supportive environment… and allow young people to earn an income from their passions and ideas just as I did,” she said
Winners will be announced on April 28.
