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Jason O'Neill

After just a few months in business, Jason created two more products to add to his Pencil Bugs line: laminated Pencil Bug bookmarks and custom t-shirts with the eight characters.  "Every good business has more than one product," Jason said.

He not only is a young entrepreneur but also realizes the importance of charitable giving.  He donates a portion of his gross sales to help foster kids and also puts together gift/activity bags for kids that are hospitalized at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego.

By age 11, Jason had already received a Young Philanthropist Award and became the youngest person ever to win the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.  Jason was also featured on ABC News Nightline, PBS BizKid$, NBC 1 vs. 100 game show, and Cornell University's Department of Applied Economics and Management eClips website among many other media and publications.  Jason thought that was pretty amazing but who knew when he turned twelve, he would make a Forbes.com Top 10 List?  He was named as one of the Hot Role Models to Admire.

Jason continues to expand his business.  He asked his mom to collaborate with him on a Pencil Bugs book series.  The first book is complete and he's looking for a publisher.  Designs and prototypes for a Pencil Bug plush toy, a board game and video game are in the works.  "Who knows?  Maybe some day, you'll even see Pencil Bugs: The Movie," Jason laughs but with a serious note.

Jason's dream is to become a video game designer.  He's well on his way to saving for college but has also received a college scholarship from the Kohl's Kids Who Care Scholarship Program.  Jason likes giving presentations to schools, libraries, and community organizations and has become an inspiration to people of all ages.