CALEB NICKERSON
SHAWVILLE April 4, 2018
Most people remember what it was like to get their first summer job, pounding the pavement and handing out resumes like a campaigning politician. But one local boy has decided to take matters into his own hands and enter the business world at the ripe old age of 13.
Jake Larocque lives in Shawville and is currently in grade seven at Pontiac High School. He’s also the founder and CEO of Larocques ABC Party Fun, a mobile entertainment service.
“I have cotton candy, popcorn and I can do balloon animals, so I do things like kids’ birthday parties or a function like an anniversary or something,” he explained.
He offers a range of activities, mainly for children, such as bean bag games, balloon animals and a cotton candy machine. Rates vary depending on the size of the group and include a special gift for the birthday boy or girl. Larocque said he got the idea by watching his uncle, who operates a traveling concession stand.
“My uncle does a lot of fairs and stuff like that. I just kind of put it together,” he said.
Larocque’s mother, Pauline Pitt, said that she was proud of her son’s gumption.
“I love it. Jake’s always been a little entrepreneur,” she said. “He’s always come up with ideas and always wanted to do things. I think it’s important that he learn to make his own money.”
Larocque explained that he enjoys working with kids and gained experience as a junior leader for Vacation Bible School at the local Pentecostal Church over the summer. Recently, he’s been drumming up business by selling tubs of cotton candy and handing out flyers door-to-door.
“He launched it maybe, six weeks to two months ago, he’s got three bookings for birthday parties in the summertime,” Pitt said, adding that he also had a gig doing kids entertainment for a wedding as well.
Though he just entered high school, Larocque said he is socking the money away for his college education, where he can fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer.
“I actually went last summer with the police department for a ride along,” he said. “They showed me everything and it’s amazing. I love helping people.”
For inquiries, contact Larocque at either 613 939 9129 or 613 883 6977.
