Jean-Pierre Lucas is the youngest vendor for the 20th annual Home-Grown Alternatives, a shopping extravaganza with a focus on quality arts and crafts made by hand in Bermuda or Bermuda-designed.

The event will be on Saturday, December 5, from 10am to 4pm at St Paul’s Christian Education Centre in Paget.

Young Observer took the opportunity to get up close and personal with Jean Pierre to learn more about his entrepreneurial skills.

Age: 16

Education: I attended Port Royal Primary School, Sandys Secondary Middle School and I am now an S3 student at the Berkeley Institute.

What are your favourite subjects at school? Art and design, maths, food and nutrition and with Dr Marcia Henry-Young.

What are some of your hobbies? Drawing, playing cricket, running, and basketball on occasion, cooking, and playing video games on occasion.

What are your career aspirations and further education plans? I would like to study culinary arts at the Bermuda College after I graduate from the Berkeley Institute. Afterwards, I would like to pursue a degree in engineering and architecture.

Who taught you and at what age to make Bermy Glass? I began my business in 2012 when I was 13. I learnt how to make glass candy from The Bermuda Cook Book, by Cecille C Snaith-Simmons, and gradually tweaked it over time to perfect it to my liking.

What is the process and ingredients for making Bermy Glass? The basic ingredients are white granulated sugar, water and butter.

Where else can our readers purchase your items? I will be one of the vendors at the 20th Home-Grown Alternatives annual shopping event. I will be the youngest vendor and the oldest will be a lady in her 80s.

In the future I would like to branch out and be a vendor at Harbour Nights and Cup Match.

Who inspires you — why and how? My mom, Crystal Lucas, because she is always encouraging me to set goals in school and in life.

What advice do you have for other youth entrepreneurs?

1. Start small and gradually develop your business.

2. Establish a budget for your product that includes the cost for materials/ingredients, labour, and packaging.

3. Find out if you require a pedlar’s licence or a food-handling licence for your product.

4. Do not spend all of your profit, because you want to save some money, invest some back into the business to purchase new materials and to keep you afloat.