We’re excited to introduce you to this month’s Amazing KC Kid – Ava Middleton. Ava, along with help from her brother, Ryder, created Inspire 913 – a magazine for kids, by kids. Read on to learn their inspiration for the publication and how your kids can be featured!
1. How did you get the idea for Inspire 913?
Well, I (Ava) was looking at our neighborhood’s magazine, Mills Farm Magazine, and I thought it was pretty weird that it didn’t have anything in it for kids. I asked my mom if there were any kids magazines that I could subscribe to, and she said not that she knew of. So I decided to start my own!
2. Why do you think it’s important for kids to inspire each other?
So that kids can learn that creating is fun, and celebrating each other is exciting.
3. What kinds of content do you hope to feature?
Some of our regular submissions include artwork, poems, short stories, and articles. Each month,
my featured articles include a Top Ten list geared toward kids and a Spotlight Kid article. My brother, Ryder, writes a Pet of the Month article, and my neighbor writes This Month in History. We also have a book review columnist and Word of the Week columnist.
4. How can kids get involved? How do you determine what gets published?
Kids can get involved by subscribing to the magazine and then submitting their creations to by email. We usually publish every submission that we receive, but we select the most creative, colorful, and unique artwork for the front and back covers.
5. Why did you decide to donate the proceeds to others?
Well, I didn’t start the magazine to make money, so once the magazine is paid for that month, we donate anything extra to a cause that benefits kids in our area. For example, in September, we donated to Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer because it was Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. In October, it was Down Syndrome Awareness Month, so we donated to the Down Syndrome Guild of Kansas City.
6. What have you learned about owning a business and convincing others to invest in your idea?
It’s really hard and time-consuming, and sometimes I need to ask for help. But overall, it has been really fun and rewarding, and I wouldn’t want to give it up even with my busy schedule!
7. What is your big dream for Inspire 913?
My big dream is for the magazine to expand to the entire United States! My small dream is for us to get over 300 subscribers. We currently have about 60.
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Commerce Bank and Kansas City Moms Blog are proud to offer the Amazing Kid series! Featured Kansas City kids will receive an investment to help with their endeavors. Do you know an amazing kid who deserve recognition for their invention, entrepreneurship, volunteerism or advocacy work? Let us know at info {at} kansascitymomsblog.com
