– I have always dreamed of starting for myself. I think this is a great way to get into working life. Immediately, the ice cream bar MarvIS opens for the day. And behind the counter is 17-year-old Carmen, who is the founder and manager of five employees. Two weeks after opening, the routines begin to fall into place in the Danish-inspired ice cream bar at Lund in Kristiansand. One of the goals has been to create jobs for others. – I am concerned that they are young and should get something on their CV as early as possible. The earlier you gain experience, the faster you get into working life. Being a boss is new for the 17-year-old. How strict is it allowed to be? Is it possible to be too kind? These are questions she has asked herself. The work uniform is on, and everything is ready for opening. Photo: Anne Wirsching / news – Will meet resistance It’s not just about starting for yourself, no matter how old you are. Carmen experienced that the municipality first said no to placing the carriage where she wanted. – You will meet a lot of resistance along the way, but you will get through it in the end. You just have to not give up. She finally got the carriage placed. But the ice cream parlor will also be run with employees, orders and customers. Even a small ice cream parlor of 7.5 square meters requires a lot of work. – I have probably learned that I can do more than I think. That sometimes it’s a little scary to take the initiative, but the worst that can happen is that you get a no. She has borrowed the ice cream shop from a local business owner who rents out sales stalls. – You get in touch with many helpful good souls out there. They cheer on me, she says. After being open for a few weeks, there is at least one thing she has experienced: – If you have a good smile, you can go far. Then people will be happy. Carmen with two of her employees, William (13) and Johanne (14). Photo: Carmen Framnes / Private Many young people want to start their own business Innovation Norway Agder works on larger projects than this, but director Sveinung Hovstad thinks Carmen’s young courage is commendable. He has great faith that young people who will enter working life in the next few years have good prospects, and believes the opportunities have never been greater. – Being a startup company today has become commonplace. Previously, one would prefer to go to work in the large companies after graduating. Now it is quite established to establish and start up companies yourself. This has affected the start-up environments in Norway in recent years, according to Hovstad. Grete Ingeborg Nykkelmo, CEO of Young Entrepreneurship, says they notice great interest in their educational programs and courses. They offer activities from primary school and up to higher education. – The young people will go out to find their own business idea, create their own business. It is trial and error, and learning through it. According to Nykkelmo, it is a different way of learning, and it arouses great commitment among the students. Popular with ice cream in the neighborhood The floor has been washed, the ice boxes have been put out, Danish “guf” and “cream buns” are ready on the counter. Today’s first customers look excitedly down at the freezer counter. Barin and Synne have sold jam and pledged bottles to buy an ice cream each. – She started with nothing, she also got all this, says Barin. They are very impressed with Carmen’s idea and plan to come every day. – It is very nice to have an ice cream parlor in the immediate area, but there can be a little too much ice, says Synne. Synne and Barin have saved up money to buy ice cream at MarvIS. Photo: Anne Wirsching / news Sørlandet
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Carmen (17) is head of five employees – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
