His business is as sweet as it is serious.
James Howarth, 11, has recently launched what just might become a Squamish candy empire, the company Fairy Floss Farms.
"I decided that I wanted to make a quick buck and do something better than just sitting around playing video games on my computer, so I went along and thought, 'Why not make a company?'" James said, at his Garibaldi Estates home that is also his company's headquarters.
This entrepreneurial venture isn't something he started on a whim. He thought about it and researched, "for ages and ages."
The local candy market already has a variety of treats, but it didn't have cotton candy, until now, according to James.
His research is even evident in the name of his company, Fairy Floss Farms.
"Cotton candy was originally called fairy floss, then it slowly evolved into candy floss and then to what we know today as cotton candy," he explained.
James, with help from his parents, ordered the parts for his candy stall — the cotton candy machine, cones, sugar, bags, and utensils — online from Amazon, for a reasonable price, he said.
He hopes his business will be hired out for weddings and parties.
Each size of cone sells for a different price, he explained, and he can make a profit while keeping the cones affordable for kids and their families.
The company has already booked a several gigs including this June at an event at his school, and at the Squamish Street Market for four Sundays this summer.
Asked what he wants to be when he grows up, James was pragmatic.
"If this falls apart then I might want to be a [video] game tester or maker, or in general just an animator," he said.
For more on James' Fairy Floss Farms go to, http://fairyflossfarms.com/.
