‘Kidpreneur’ from Queens launches magazine
that inspires youngsters to follow their dreams
At 14, Queens entrepreneur Kimeila Campbell is already making waves in NYC and beyond with her
recently launched publication, YNTY Magazine, which helps other “kidpreneurs” start their own
businesses. Photo by Karl M. Lee
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | FEB. 25 - MARCH 3, 2022 27
BY TAMMY SCILEPPI
A remarkable teen from
Queens has proven that a
person is never too young to
bring about change.
She’s just 14, but “kidpreneur”
Kimeila Campbell has
already created and launched
her very own monthly publication.
Released in January
on her birthday, YNTY
Magazine — which stands for
You’re Never Too Young — is
chock-full of great advice and
helpful tips for fellow kidpreneurs
and budding influencers
who are 18 years old or
younger.
Nicknamed “Mini Oprah”
by her fans and followers,
Campbell explained that her
goal is to use this innovative
platform to encourage
other youngsters to follow
their dreams — regardless
of their age — and start their
exciting journeys as hopeful
entrepreneurs.
“Nowadays, teenagers
look up to affluent women
and men on social media
and aspire to be like them,
unaware of the sacrifices
that went into getting them
to where they are now,” she
said. “Consider your options
carefully and make goals for
where you want to be in the
future.”
Along with fashion tips,
trending topics and daily affirmations,
young readers
can enjoy YNTY’s monthly
spotlight feature, as well as
suggestions from esteemed
professionals and those who
have persevered and made it
big.O
ffering her own advice
to kids who want to establish
their first business, Campbell
said, “Find a support
system or someone who can
assist you in achieving your
goals. Don’t doubt yourself
or think that maybe it’s not
a great idea; trust in your
abilities and go for it. If you
don’t have a support system,
don’t hesitate to reach out to
me and my team.”
Born in St. Ann, Jamaica,
Campbell started reading
at age 2 and it was then that
her proud family knew their
“whiz kid” was truly brilliant.
The teen was featured
in various Jamaican media
outlets at the time and there
was no doubt that her future
would be bright.
When she was 6, the
youngster moved to Queens
and continued to get straight
A’s in school, despite all the
changes happening in her
life. She dreamed of attending
Harvard Law School and
one day becoming a judge.
At 13, Campbell decided
that she really wanted to create
her own business but she
feared that her age would
prevent her from realizing
her goals. So the teen’s mom,
who is an entrepreneur herself,
assured her ambitious
daughter that “you are never
too young” to turn your
dreams into a reality. Those
encouraging words jumpstarted
the kidpreneur’s future
career.
“My mother is my inspiration
and the one that
has showed me what hard
work looks like, and the results
you get from doing so,”
Campbell said, adding that
her celebrity inspiration is
Oprah Winfrey because of
everything she has accomplished.
“I hope to change
the world like she has. After
going through so much, she
has used those experiences
to strengthen herself and become
such a successful Black
woman today.”
Starting in March, YNTY
will include a special column,
which will provide
parents who are (or would
like to be) managers of their
kid entrepreneurs with the
necessary steps they need to
take to help and guide their
children.
In addition to her role as
a magazine publisher, Campbell
said she’d like to pursue
a professional path when
she’s older.
“I’d rather practice family
law because I would love to
assist families going through
difficult circumstances,” she
said. “I believe, if it can be
avoided, no child should grow
up in a broken home. My biological
father isn’t actively a
part of my life and that has affected
me a little but my family
unit now is very strong
with the love and support of
my mother and stepfather.
So I understand the importance
of having that, and it’s
my passion to provide that for
other families.”
Campell said that she
wants to continue giving a
voice for fellow enterprising
youngsters like herself.
“When I’m older, I want
to continue to be an entrepreneur
because I don’t want
to stop giving such a tremendous
platform for other
young entrepreneurs,” she
said.
Balancing her personal
and professional life can be
challenging at times but the
busy teen does find time to
have fun and unwind.
“A typical day for me consists
of going to school for six
hours, returning home and
devoting some of my time to
doing homework, studying
and working on my magazine.
Depending on the tasks
I have, the time I dedicate to
it may vary,” Campbell said.
“In my spare time, I really
enjoy dancing and reading.
I am interested in various
types of dances but hip-hop
and liturgical dance are two
of my favorites. The ‘Diary
Of a Wimpy Kid’ series by
Jeff Kinney is one of my favorite
books. When I’m feeling
down, these books cheer
me up.”
In five years, Campbell
said that she envisions YNTY
Magazine “being available
on newsstands around the
world, in various languages;
being a household name and
the source kidpreneurs go
to for advice and inspiration
whenever they feel discouraged
or overwhelmed.”
This amazing kidpreneur,
wise beyond her years, says
she refuses to wait until she’s
older to make her impact on
the world.
KIDS & EDUCATION
/QNS.COM
