Kindness is Contagious: How the Bracelet Trio Sparked a Movement of Young Entrepreneurs

An update to our social enterprise story about Rebecca, Charlotte, and Florie’s bracelet business 

What started as three girls with a simple idea has become something we never could have imagined. When we last shared the story of “The Bracelet Trio”—Rebecca (9), Charlotte (8), and Florie (8)—they had just launched their handmade bracelet business to support our Community Connection snack drive for West Baltimore campers.

But here’s what happened next: their kindness became contagious.

Nine More Heroes Step Up

Watching The Bracelet Trio’s success inspired nine other campers (Ella, Fletcher, Ana, Clara, Betty, Lou, Evans, Alice, and Aria) to launch their own businesses to contribute to the snack fund. Suddenly, our camp transformed into a bustling marketplace of young social entrepreneurs, each bringing their unique talents and creativity to the mission.

From handmade crafts to creative services, these additional young business owners demonstrated that there’s no single path to making a difference. Each camper found their own way to contribute, turning their individual strengths into collective impact.

The Numbers Tell an Incredible Story

Together, these 12 socially minded entrepreneurs raised over $110 — enough to purchase 345 snacks for their fellow campers in West Baltimore. That’s nearly a full week’s worth of snacks for kids who need that energy boost during long, hot camp days.

But the challenge to provide 500 snacks per week felt overwhelming. For a moment, even our determined young entrepreneurs wondered if they could bridge that gap.

When Kindness Multiplies

That’s when something beautiful happened. Charlotte and Rebecca’s mothers, Allison and April, witnessed their daughters’ dedication and the ripple effect it had created throughout the camp community. Moved by the girls’ compassion and entrepreneurial spirit, they decided to match their daughters’ efforts in a big way.

Allison and April purchased an additional 500 snacks**, fully funding an entire week for the Community Camp.

The Ripple Effect of Leadership

What we witnessed this summer wasn’t just about snacks or even about business skills. We saw how authentic leadership—the kind that comes from the heart—creates waves that extend far beyond the original action.

When kids take initiative, they lead by example, giving permission for others to step up. When our camp’s 12 entrepreneurs showed their commitment, they inspired the adults in their lives to amplify their impact. Each act of kindness created space for the next one.

This is exactly what we mean when we say that at Perfectly Me, leadership isn’t about age or titles—it’s about action rooted in kindness. These young heroes didn’t wait for someone else to solve the problem. They saw a need, took action, and in doing so, created a movement.

Why This Matters Beyond the Snacks

Research from Harvard’s Making Caring Common Project shows us that when children engage in meaningful service, it doesn’t just help others—it transforms them. It builds their sense of purpose, belonging, and emotional resilience. It helps them see themselves as capable, connected, and responsible members of their community.

But what happened at our camp this summer shows us something even more powerful: when we create environments where kids can lead with empathy, their impact extends exponentially. One act of kindness doesn’t just help—it inspires others to act, creating a cascade of positive change.

The Legacy Continues

As we wrap up another incredible summer at Perfectly Me Hero Camps, we’re carrying forward the lessons from “The Bracelet Trio” and their fellow young entrepreneurs. We’ve seen firsthand that when we give kids the tools to lead, the space to care, and a community that believes in them, they don’t just rise to the occasion—they lift everyone around them.

The 845 snacks these heroes helped fuel more than just hungry campers. They represent something much bigger: proof that when we nurture empathy early and create opportunities for action, young people become the thoughtful, courageous, and compassionate leaders our world needs.

To Rebecca, Charlotte, Florie, Ella, Fletcher, Ana, Clara, Betty, Lou, Evans, Alice, and  Aria—and to Allison and April for showing how adults can amplify young people’s impact—thank you for reminding us all that kindness is truly contagious.

That’s what we’re building at Perfectly Me Hero Camps: the belief that every child has the power to create positive change, one small act of kindness at a time.**

Want to learn more about how Perfectly Me Hero Camps nurtures young leaders? Discover how we’re helping kids build the confidence, empathy, and skills to make a difference in their communities.