Special to the AFRO
For many teens, senior year in high school is a time to slack off before
they become grown-ups. But for Clay Terrace, Southeast Washington native,
Derron Scott — currently a senior at Largo (Md.) High School — it’s
much more. He isn’t just attending school, doing homework and hanging out; he’s
growing a successful business as the CEO of Rizon Esthetics
(www.rizonesthetics.com), a company he founded in 2003. Rizon creates visually
appealing, limited-edition apparel using a fusion of freestyle art and design
for young urban trendsetters.
“I’m 17 years old and I’m no
different from your average teenager,” Scott said. “But while some of my peers
may just dream of the stars, I reach for them.”
Just like any other teenager,
Scott juggles homework, family responsibilities and an active social life. But
while his peers may have the time to relax in front of the TV or on the phone,
he’s working on the design and creation of new product lines, designing
packaging, keeping books and visiting with boutique owners.
As a result of his efforts
gained through trial and error and a NFTE (National Foundation for Teaching
Entrepreneurship) course he took at his high school, Scott has been able to
contribute to his family’s care, learn invaluable lessons about life and
business and set himself up for a successful future.
Recently, his efforts were recognized with the 2008
Freddie Mac Youth Leadership Award at the Greater Washington Community Service
Awards. The award “recognizes outstanding leadership by an individual under the
age of 21 whose service positively impacts young people and/or the quality of
life in the community.”
“I’m so honored to receive
this award and be recognized for my efforts,” Scott said. “But I haven’t done
this all alone.”
His support structure
includes his mother, who is his manager: She organizes speaking engagements and
events and “encourages me to keep doing things right.” His father deeply
influences via letters and phone calls, encouraging him to stay focused and to
never give up.
“He reminds me that one day
our stories will encourage others,” Scott said.
The rest of his team includes
marketing professionals to help integrate social networking opportunities and a
team of up and coming young local artists and designers. He also works with a
teen business coach, Shonika Proctor. Proctor — who is the leader of the
Renegade CEOs, a group of teenage entrepreneurs who star in a Web-based series
that shows young people how to run and operate a business — said that she knew
Scott had what it took to be a success from their first contact.
“In the first e-mail Derron
sent me, he thanked me for opening his eyes to an entrepreneurial world that
knew no scale,” Proctor said. “And his second e-mail had a subject line that
said ‘We’re goin’ to the top.’
“We haven’t looked back
since.”
Scott and his team are
certainly looking ahead: He hopes a partnership that’s being negotiated with
Red Bull will lead to distribution in skate shops throughout the Mid-Atlantic.
The Spring/Summer 2008 line is about to hit stores. And he is anticipating
continued growth, on track for $60,000 in revenue this year. Eventually, he
hopes to open a small boutique in an “underground” neighborhood, creating a
destination for urban trendsetters looking for a unique style and feel.
His advice for other teens
with big dreams? “Don’t follow your dreams, chase them!”