Young have-a-go entrepreneur, 12, beats the busybodies who tried to shut down his sun-smart street stall on an iconic beachside walkway – after locals rally behind him
- Jesse Lane, 12, sells cold drinks and sunscreen on beachside walk
- Two busybodies complained to council who then shut him down
- But he’s now returned with the blessing of locals who praised him
A 12-year-old entrepreneur has returned to his streetside stall after a desperate fight to stop his much-loved stall from being shut down.
Jesse Lane first won the hearts of locals and banked serious pocket money from selling cold drinks, insect repellent and sunscreen in a tent on the Bondi to Coogee walk, in Sydney’s east, last year.
But the venture was shut down after two complaints from busybodies who said the youngster shouldn’t be able to make profit on public land.
This followed the Randwick Council rejecting Jesse’s trading application as he didn’t have insurance.
Jesse has returned after a fight to stay last year.
When insurance was acquired months later, the application was again rejected.
But now, he’sback on the popular trail with the support of locals who say they admire his business sense.
‘We’ve got first dibs on hiring Jesse when he’s older (wish we could now),’ one man said.
‘Man’s an absolute genius, knows his market to a tee, with square payments to take any card transfer so no one has an excuse.’
‘This kid has a big future. Seen him everyday, twice a day during the school holidays. Coconut water was a winner. Keep up the hustle Jesse,’ wrote another.
Despite the support, Jesse’s venture was shut down in October after the complaints and council rejections came through.
The youngster set up his stall in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
The budding businessman sells drinks to passersby.
Faced with the forced closure of the pre-teen’s business, eastern suburb locals threw their support around Jesse.
Deputy Liberal party leader Sussan Ley even chimed in with support, saying Jesse should be commended for ‘having a go’.
‘We won’t have the small businesses and entrepreneurs of tomorrow if we don’t back them today,’ she said.
‘This is a foolish decision @RandwickCouncil and it should be reversed.
‘Local community (equals) happy, 12-year-old kid having a go … what’s the problem?’
More than 6000 locals signed a petition to stop the closure of Jesse’s business.
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