The Young CEO With a Burning Dream: 11-Year-Old Entrepreneur Builds Candle Business to Fund His College Future

He was born with an entrepreneurial spirit—and a plan!

At just 11 years old, Hart Wilson is proving that you’re never too young to dream big or start building toward your future. The Texas native founded his own handmade candle business, Candles From The Hart, with one inspiring goal in mind: to fund his journey to Howard University, the historic HBCU that captured his heart when he was only six.

According to Because Of Them We Can, the idea for his company began after a family trip to Washington, D.C. During that visit, Hart toured the campus of Howard University—often called “The Mecca” for its legacy of nurturing Black excellence—and instantly knew it was where he wanted to go. But even as a child, Hart understood that dreams come with a price tag. Determined to take matters into his own hands, he began brainstorming ways to earn money for his future college tuition.

“I got on the internet and saw that people were making different things to sell to earn money, and I settled on candles,” Hart told Because Of Them We Can. “My parents and I watched YouTube videos and started experimenting with making candles, and that’s when it all started.”

With creativity and persistence, Hart turned a small kitchen experiment into a thriving small business. He launched Candles From The Hart on Etsy, crafting premium, eco-friendly candles with a personal touch. Each scent has a story—like “Cashmere Plum,” created to honor Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, or refreshing blends such as “Guava Fresca,” “Tranquil Sea,” “Asian Pear and Basil,” and “Grapefruit and Mint.” His products also include wax melts and car fresheners, each handmade with care and labeled with his signature logo.

Soon, the business began to attract attention beyond his local community. Orders started pouring in from across the country. According to Good Morning America, the New Orleans Pelicans staff ordered a batch, followed by Hollywood professionals like Inda Craig-Galvan, a writer for ABC’s How To Get Away With Murder, and actresses Keena Ferguson (Tyler Perry’s Sistas) and Tracey Bonner (Queen Sugar). Word of mouth and social media exposure helped his small venture explode into a national success.

As demand grew, Hart received invitations to sell his candles in physical stores. His first retail partnership came through Gabriel Devarssy, a restaurant owner in Chicago. From there, his brand expanded into boutiques in Houston and Pearland, Texas, his hometown. Essence reports that Hart’s products are now in talks to reach other regional shops, including stores in upstate New York—a major step for any young entrepreneur.

Despite his early success, Hart remains grounded. His ultimate goal hasn’t changed: to attend Howard University and use entrepreneurship to create financial freedom for his future. “I want to be able to pay for college myself,” he said in an interview. “But I also want to inspire other kids to think big and start something of their own.”

When asked what advice he’d give to other young dreamers, Hart didn’t hesitate:

“The advice I would give other young people trying to pursue business is simple… DO IT! You can do anything you want. Don’t let anyone tell you no. Whatever you like doing, figure out a way to get paid from it and be successful,” he told BOTWC.

His message has clearly resonated. Recently, Hart was featured in Biore’s “Buy Black” campaign, which highlights and supports young Black-owned businesses. The campaign gave his brand even more visibility and introduced his products to new audiences across the country (People magazine).

Now, Hart is planning his next steps—balancing schoolwork with expanding his candle line, exploring new scent collections, and learning more about business management. He hopes to one day diversify his ventures into other industries, showing that passion and perseverance can light the path toward any dream.

At just 11 years old, Hart Wilson has already proven that hard work, creativity, and belief in oneself can turn even the smallest spark into something extraordinary.

Congratulations, Hart! Howard University—and the world—will be lucky to have you.