12-year-old Marlon is participating in a Youth Entrepreneurship Conference, where kids from around the country, ages 8 -18, have an opportunity to showcase their businesses and compete for awards.

Marlon is the CEO of Marlon’s Creations. The young tycoon designs inspirational picture frames and artwork.

This 7th grader didn’t know anything about business before becoming a student at the Children’s Entrepreneurial Opportunities (C.E.O.) Academy, a faith-based organization in Nashville, Tennessee.

Marlon attended C.E.O. Academy’s 6-week summer day camp which teaches entrepreneurship skills to kids as young as six years old.

From June through July, for five days a week, energetic “campers” arrive at David Lipscomb University to learn how to research and write business plans, develop marketing strategies, and fine-tune their sales pitches.

At the camp’s end, students are ready to spread their entrepreneurial wings at the Hickory Hollow Mall, where they each have a booth to promote and sell their products.