Louis Inge, 14, celebrates The Bubble Waffle Company's first birthday
00:01, 28 November 2017
An Allington schoolboy has proved he can balance books of a different kind, after celebrating the first anniversary of his own business.
Louis Inge is not yet old enough to open his own bank account, learn to drive, or even watch teen comedy The Inbetweeners Movie.
Yet the 14-year-old, who lives in The Weavers, was proudly celebrating a year at the helm of The Bubble Waffle Company last week.
Louis, who is the youngest registered entrepreneur at The Kent Foundation, decided to open his street food business after being inspired by the traders he met while holidaying in Hong Kong and Vietnam with his family.
After picking up a second-hand waffle maker on Gumtree and a trestle table from eBay, he began taking his sweet treats to fairs and farmers’ markets, and has now catered for 19 events, the most successful being West Farleigh fireworks night this month.
He’s even taken on a member of staff, a school friend, to man the now numerous machines.
Louis, a Year 10 pupil at Oakwood Park Grammar School in Maidstone, said: “The first time we went to Offham Farmers’ Market it was a cold and rainy day and we really didn’t think that we would make much money.
“However, we were overwhelmed by the support from friends and family that showed up, which made it quite a successful first outing.
"We were overwhelmed by the support from friends and family that showed up, which made it quite a successful first outing" - Louis Inge
“We have since gone on to do private parties, breakfast mornings and fireworks nights.
“So far, all the profits have been reinvested into the company and we have since bought a branded gazebo, two new machines and are planning on buying two more.”
Louis marked a year to the day of selling his first waffle by treating his family to a curry at Shamrat in Lower Stone Street, last Sunday. He was joined by the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Malcolm Greer, and mayoress Brenda, who came along to toast his success.
Louis added: “Celebrating a year was a proud moment, to see how far the stall has come in such a short space of time.
“It is amazing to see how a small idea of mine has turned into a professional-looking enterprise.”
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