Future entrepreneur or CEO? Only time will tell for 17-year-old Jabari Hubbard, who launched his own clothing brand, BAGWAY, two years ago. With clothing marketed toward teens and young adults, Jabari hopes to inspire others to “believe, achieve, goals,” the meaningful significance behind his brand name. But this is certainly not Jabari’s first time running his own business. At just 8 years old, Jabari asked his mother for an Icee machine. Unbeknownst to her, Jabari already had a business plan for his new gadget.
“I saw people in my neighborhood had lemonade stands, so I decided I had to be different,” Jabari says. “It’s the same market, I just had to step outside the same old thing.”
Snow cones could be purchased for .25 cents and patrons could get multiple flavors and toppings for an additional charge. While Jabari is a natural businessman, the first person who inspired him was Dub, who owned his own shop. Dub would encourage Jabari to stay focused and to always follow his dreams while also showing Jabari what it takes to maintain a shop and even how to cut hair. According to Jabari’s mother, Tarsha Harris, he had essentially picked up on business, and from there, it kept evolving into the development of new businesses.
“When he was in my fourth-grade class, he would always tell me ‘Ms. Allen, one day I’m going to own my own business, and he has already done just that,” wrote Lewis and Clark Middle School Assistant Principal Rhonda Allen in her nomination for Jabari.
Jabari has sold candy and his own hand-made bracelets before venturing into clothing. Now, he sells hoodies, t-shirts, hats, and sweatpants through his Instagram. But his favorite thing about running a business is getting to manage his own money.
Your success is based off of you, so it’s about how much time and effort you put into business because it’s all up to you
Jabari Hubbard
Also a star athlete, Jabari has been able to manage his business between the obligations of football, wrestling, and golf. Following his graduation from Capital City High School this year, he plans to enroll in college to pursue a business degree. Beyond college, Jabari hopes to own or run multiple businesses while continuing to inspire others to follow their passion.
“I would tell other kids, stop thinking and just do it,” he says. “Once you think about it too much, you’re already taking time away from what you’ve been wanting to do.”
Questions:
Who inspires you?
My barber “Dub.”
What’s your favorite book?
“Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen
Favorite YouTube Channel?
SmoothGoi
What activities are you involved in?
Football, wrestling, and golf.
What’s your favorite subject in school and why?
English because I’m learning how to improve my writing skills and be more expressive with my words.
Who do you like to have lunch with?
My friends big Will, Ethyn, and Bahshi.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Jefferson City?
Hanging out with friends and playing basketball at the YMCA.
What’s your favorite movie/tv show and why?
“Home Alone” because I like seeing all of the inventions that he made to catch the intruders.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
Excessive speed because I could use it to change future events in the world.
This or That
Disney or Nickelodeon
Disney
DC or Marvel
DC
Fruits or Vegetables
Fruits
Laptop or Tablet
Laptop
Pizza or Hamburgers
Pizza
Michael Jordan or LeBron James
LeBron James
Winter or Summer
Summer
In-school or At-home classes
In-school
PE or Art
PE
Fortnight or Minecraft
Fortnight
Bike or Scooter
Bike
PlayStation or Xbox
Xbox
TikTok or Instagram
TikTok
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Do you know a Young One to Watch? Any child up to age 18 who is doing something to spread positivity, accomplishing a challenging task, overcoming a daunting obstacle, launching an entrepreneurial endeavor, or brightening people’s days is eligible to be nominated.