Community Rallies To Support Young Street Corner Entrepreneur

PLEASANT GROVE, Utah – A 14-year-old Utah boy got the surprise of his life when his roadside business drew some unexpected attention.

He hoped he would raise money by selling crocheted hangers on a street corner in his neighborhood, but he never expected the windfall he received after the right driver happened to notice what he was doing.

Talyn Roberts said he got the idea from his grandmother to make and sell the hangers.

“I was like, ‘Oh, that’s a great idea,’ so I decided to take it up,” Roberts said.

VERY cool surprise for this young entrepreneur, who took to a street corner in Pleasant Grove to sell crocheted hangers. Story ONLY @KSL5TV at 10p #KSLTV #Utah pic.twitter.com/kIhRKuCbrk

— Andrew Adams (@AndrewAdamsKSL) February 27, 2021

Kyle Fox, co-founder of Follow the Flag, was driving by in his pickup truck and just had to stop.

“I’ve always told myself if I see kids out selling stuff – rocks, sticks, lemonade, whatever it may be – I’m going to stop and say hi and buy something and overpay on it,” Fox said. “I flipped a (U-turn).”

Fox recorded his interaction with Roberts and posted it to the Follow the Flag Facebook page on Feb. 13.

“He’s got his sign up – $3 crocheted hangers,” Fox smiled. “He’s 14-years-old, so he’s getting ahead of the game.”

The response, Fox said, was significant.

“The comments started going and people saying, ‘Hey, I want to contribute to this,’” Fox said.

Fox wrote a check Friday for what had been collected – $847 – and packaged it with t-shirts, a hat and notes and printed comments from those who helped the teen’s cause.

“You’re not doing anything crazy out of the ordinary but you’re changing people’s lives,” Fox told Roberts. “I’m glad that you and I were able to do that because it’s kind of tough times right now.”

Roberts was left at a loss for words.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I’m just mind blown. I can’t really think right now. It’s just crazy. It’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.”

Fox hoped others might consider doing something kind the next time they see a child selling something on the side of a road.

“Keep some cash in your car. It’s going to brighten your day, I guarantee you,” Fox said. “You’re going to brighten that kid’s day. When you drive away and look in the rear view mirror at these kids, they’re jumping up in the air high-fiving each other. In a world today where these kids have been locked down like they have been and not a lot going on, this is a big deal for them.”