9-year-old entrepreneur breaks into tourism tech market
Ava King develops online directory to find family-friendly spots on P.E.I.
Anyone who goes on vacation with children knows the stress of finding the right place to eat or play.
Now, an Island entrepreneur is helping solve that, with an online directory that puts all the kid-approved spots just a click away.
Creator Ava King is a bit of an expert on family-friendly spots. After all she's just nine years old, and came up with the idea herself.
"I was walking downtown and I heard some people mumbling to each other that they couldn't find somewhere to go with their kids, because they were on the Island for a visit," she said. "So I decided to solve that problem."
The online directory is called Purple Fox. Users can go to the site and search the kind of place they're looking for.
King is using social media to spread the word, and get suggestions for activities and spots to add.
"I get recommendations on Facebook, my mom's Facebook or my Facebook," she said. "From my friends, or even just driving."
Growing bigger
The site is still growing as she adds all the spots she's collected.
There are 17 so far, with another 20 to be added soon.
The listings are free for users and for the business, but if someone wants to promote their spot on the site, King is also selling ads.
"I have a little jar on my shelf with coins in it," she said. "It's called The Vacation Fund, me and Mom want to go on a vacation."
Ava said she's pleased with the interest in the site that she's getting so far.
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With files from Sarah MacMillan