Duct Tape Workshop Artist Teach Kids About Creative Business
By Ryan Schlehuber

Thirty-six children and parents participated in a duct tape craft workshop at the St. Ignace Library Saturday, June 23. Seventeen-year-old Midland High School student William Beacom instructed participants in how to make things like bookmarks, wallets, flowers, and hats out of duct tape. The workshop was the first of a series of 4-H Kids EntrepreneurWorkshops this summer. Pictured are (front, from left) Kasey Bunker (holding the shoe), Mackenzie Postma, Erin Bunker, Elizabeth Lane, Madison Postma, Tara Bunker, Peter Lane; (back) Judy Wyse, Josiah Wyse (holding a bookmark), Nate Schlehuber, Preston Kammers, Ralph Postma, Zachary Lane (wearing a cup-holder hat), William Beacom, Daniel Postma (wearing a hat), and Leeanne Lane.

Working with a variety of colorful duct tape during a workshop at the St. Ignace Public Library Saturday, June 23, 17-year-old William Beacom of Midland showed a group of children and adults how to use the adhesive tape in an artistic way, making wallets, bookmarks, purses, and flowers. It was the first of a series of 4-H Club's "Kids to Entrepreneurs" workshops to be held this summer.

"Find a need, and fill it," said Mr. Beacom, sharing his golden rule of business basics. On this day, duct tape, or as some people call it, "duck tape," did the job.

Thirty-six local children and adults participated in Mr. Beacom's workshop. Mackinac County was selected to be one of seven counties throughout the state to pilot the youth entrepreneurship project through 4-H.

The workshop was sponsored by Friends of the Library and Mackinac County Michigan State University Extension to inspire youth to learn to use their creativity to launch their own businesses.

Inspired by Canada's "The Red Green Show" six years ago, Mr. Beacom created his first duct tape wallet as a hobby, then turning his hobby into a summer job.

Today, he travels throughout Michigan holding workshops all summer. He has 40 scheduled this year.

One of Mr. Beacom's biggest artistic achievements is making a prom dress and tuxedo completely out of duct tape. It was a project for a scholarship contest through an online Web site called The Duck Tape Club.

He was featured on David Letterman's "The Late Show" last December. While there, he met actor Danny DeVito, who was also a guest on the show that day.

The group saw a taped video of the show during the library workshop.

Mr. Beacom, who is entering his senior year at Midland High School, plans to major in entrepreneurial studies and international studies.

Upcoming "Kids to Entrepreneurs" Meetings

The "Kids to Entrepreneurs" program will include two upcoming meetings for youth age 12 and older. Young people are encouraged to attend both meetings.

A general meeting will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the St. Ignace Public Library Thursday, July 12. This meeting will be open to any middle school or high school student interested in exploring business ideas. An overview of the program will also be held.

A "Creativity and Entrepreneurship" workshop will be held at the office of Michigan State University Extension in the annex building of the Mackinac County Courthouse at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 17. This meeting will give youth ideas on how they can launch businesses.

Joel Schultz, regional director for the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center, will be the guest speaker for that meeting.