Twelve-year-old Ean Welch spent his Friday afternoon showing off his yo-yo skills on the lawn of City Hall, but he was far from playing around. He was selling a brand, telling a story and building a business.

“I started as a concept in September and launched in December,” Ean said, recalling how his company, Metal and String, began at a school business vendor day. “We had to have a poster, business cards, branding, all sorts of stuff. So I met all the marks. And then when it came time, I kind of just followed through with it.”

What started as a one-off project turned into a full-fledged business after demand kept growing.

“People just kept asking and asking at every stop,” he said as he performed tricks with a yo-yo in each hand. “So I was like, you can’t say no if you have the stuff to give.”

Ean’s business has grown to offer a variety of products, including fidget spinners, slime and “diabolos”, a kind of giant yo-yo that can fly off its string and up into the air.

“Our clientele range between 10 and 99 years old,” he said.

Ean is already thinking ahead, considering workshops to teach others the art of yo-yo and diabolo.

“We have had a few requests for a half-day or summer day camp,” he said.

Ean was one of seven participants in the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation’s Summer Student Entrepreneur Programme, which held its annual public showcase.

The atmosphere buzzed as the eighth cohort promoted their products, which ranged from sea moss drinks to logo T-shirts and garden services.

“This meet-and-greet is an important opportunity for them to showcase their businesses and connect directly with the community,” said Deshun Simmons, programme co-ordinator. “Encouragement truly impacts their journey as entrepreneurs.”

Another participant, Sarah Williams, founded Uncommon Interests, a line of anime fan merchandise she designs herself.

She also creates Webtoons, with one called “Goodbye Childhood” and another in the works called “Bermuda’s Magical Girls”, which puts a local twist on the anime genre.

Inspired by a local cosplay event, she saw a gap in the market for anime-themed products. “I realised that there weren’t many people selling fan-made anime merch, like how they do at conventions,” she explained.

Sarah’s journey has not been without challenges. Shipping delays to Bermuda meant some products did not arrive in time for the event.

“It has been very difficult,” she admitted. “I was supposed to order them a lot earlier, but there were some problems. They were supposed to be here for this event, but I kind of pushed back a lot of stuff, so I had to improvise.”

Sarah plans to pursue a medical degree, but for now, she is also managing inventory and building a loyal customer base. “It needs constant attention,” she said of her business. “But I think it’ll be OK.”