In a day and age when adolescents are glued to gaming controls and monitors, siblings Andrew, 16, and
Amanda Nichols, 14, are the exception. They are prime examples of teens with vision, motivation, and
determination, each demonstrating maturity beyond their years. Both began their own business
enterprise at the ripe age of nine.
“My first cake order was for a friend’s Sweet Sixteen Birthday,” shares 16-year-old Andrew Nichols.
News of his baking prowess spread from Facebook to local media. Before long, Andrew began accepting
orders for custom made cakes. Among those orders were three wedding cakes. “Due to my dyslexia, I
once misspelled the word “birthday” on a cake without realizing it until after the order was picked up.”
His solution? He recruited his mom to do the writing for his cakes.
“Our mom is a nonprofit, church and business consultant, and our dad is a financial advisor. They have
always told us we had to work for what we want, but they also gave us tools to develop our skills and
businesses,” explains Andrew. “Our family is very entrepreneurial. I guess you could say our house runs
a little like Shark Tank. My parents taught me how to write a business plan, create profit margins, keep
inventory, market my cakes, and research supplies. I then wrote a proposal to my parents, (aka my
investors), to help me officially launch Andrew’s Artisan Cakes, (Where Cakes are Art).
With the sweet smell of success, Andrew jumped at the chance to start a second business enterprise. “I
took Concepts of Engineering in 7th grade at Salyards Middle School and made my first pen. I actually
used profits from my cake business to buy a lathe and bandsaw to build a workshop and make pens in
the garage. I took my passion to the next level by starting my own business: Andrew’s Artisan Pens. I
hand-chisel, sand, seal, and polish each pen. My first sale was to a family friend who ordered 13 pens for
their company employee gifts. My handcrafted pens are now being sold at Kelly Wade Jewelers in San
Antonio’s Alamo Heights.”
Amanda, 14, began sewing at 9 years old. “I asked to sign up for a sewing class. My parents bought me a
sewing machine and it became a hobby of mine. I enjoyed it so much that I created a business:
Amanda’s Sweet Sewing. I changed the name to Amanda Faith Designs because I wanted to expand my
horizons. My first order was for bedside jewelry trays for a friend’s Christmas gifts. I earned close to
$500 at my first craft show, and just broke my personal goal of making over $1,000! One of my latest
products is a 6” x 9” cosmetic bag that meets CFISD clear backpack requirements; I hope to get
permission to sell them at football games and at social events in the community.”
Adversity struck this closely-knit family at a crucial time in the children’s lives. The day before Amanda
and Andrew entered the 5th and 6 th grades, their mom was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of
Leukemia; she went through 2 ½ years of treatment at MD Anderson. “Cake decorating, making pens
and sewing became an escape for us, giving us both a creative outlet,” recalls Andrew.
Recently, Andrew was nominated as Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Student of the Year. Family
friends will help to raise money and awareness of blood cancers. “It gives us a chance to turn our
difficult personal experience into something positive and help others in their cancer fight,” explains
Andrew.
“Andrew and I have a heart for cancer patients; we have recruited friends and family to collect toys for
teens over the holidays. In January and February, we will be raising funds for the Leukemia and
Lymphoma Society (LLS),” comments Amanda. (For ways you can support the Nichols’ efforts, go to their
Facebook page: @TeamNicholsLLS).
Andrew is a sophomore at Bridgeland High School and loves math and science. He is a member of the JV
Golf team, Robotics, Math Honor Society, Boy Scouts Troop 533, (working on his Eagle Scout project),
and youth group. Amanda, a freshman, enjoys theatre and the Drama Club, custom designing,
babysitting, pet sitting, and youth group.
The siblings are reaping the benefits of their businesses and work ethic. “I have already, on my own
initiative, started a Roth IRA for investments. I just got a car and paid for half of it with my earnings,”
states Andrew with a hint of pride. Amanda is currently saving to pay for half of her car and for money
for college. She is looking into colleges with an interior design program, and hopes to have her own firm
one day. Andrew plans to study engineering and eventually run his own company, but doesn’t intend “to
sit behind a desk all day.”
After spending a few minutes in conversation with the family, it is evident that Susan and Rob Nichols
have done an exemplary job in positively impacting their children’s lives. “One of our prayers for our
children is that they would discover their gifts at an early age so we could help guide them. As parents,
we feel like one of our primary roles is to prepare our children to contribute to their community and the
world around them. We encouraged them to explore what they are created to do and then intentionally
provided them realistic tools to develop in areas like time, money management and professional and
personal relationships. Doing this in the mist of struggle is simply a testimony of the family and friends
that loved and poured into the lives of our children,” reflects Susan.
To learn more about Andrew and Amanda’s business enterprises, go to:
Andrew’s Artisan Pens www.andrewsartisanpens
Andrew’s Artisan Cakes www.andrewsartisancakes
Amanda’s Facebook page @Amanda_Faith_Designs.
