Choosing a baby name is rarely easy, but for Chinese parents seeking an English name for their new arrival, it can be a little trickier. On a family holiday, 16-year-old Beau Jessup noticed that many new parents were struggling with translations. Her solution has grown into a lucrative business that has earned her more than €50k.
In China, babies are given a Chinese name as well as an English name. Parents hope this will eventually be used on college applications should they wish to study in another country and help them get a job in the future.
Gloucestershire native Beau noticed that China’s internet restrictions meant many new parents were struggling with translations. The result? New parents were choosing names such as Gandalf and Rolex for their precious offspring.
Beau, a student at Cheltenham Ladies College, set up Specialname, a website dedicated to choosing suitable English baby names based on the hopes and dreams parents have for their babies.
Charging just 60p for a shortlist of three culturally appropriate options, Beau was soon dealing with a deluge of inquiries that was netting her €18,900 per month in earnings.
“There are babies being born every day and they all need a Special Name.” Beau explains. “I like the idea of providing a service that enhances such a happy occasion.
The enterprising teen intends to use the money to pay for her university fees and says creating the online business has been “really good practice for my Mandarin GCSE.”
So far, Beau’s website has helped name 200,000 babies, with a never ending supply of customers getting in touch each week.
Why didn’t we think of that?
Main image: BBC
