Young entrepreneur knows his own business

Hayes, 12, sells soaps, oils and creams; hopes to afford flying lessons

Sharon Hicks

Special to the Gateway

Joe Hayes of Gig Harbor is 12 years old, but he’s had his own business since he was 8.

Hayes got his inspiration from his dad, Ted, who’s had his own business for 30 years manufacturing pet health nutrition and a few other products.

The younger Hayes wanted to be like his dad, so he started with hand-made perfume and graduated to lotions and bath salts. Now he has a line of 30 items divided into five categories that include soaps, oils and creams.

Hayes’ biggest item is 200 million-year-old bath salts from the Himalayas. He also has a line of soy candles on which he uses a crock pot to melt, then adds scents, color and a revitalizing conditioner.

Last January, Hayes was featured on Biz$ Kids after a film crew visited his home — complete with all the lights and cameras.

Hayes tried to sell his products to several stores last year, but he was turned down except at Mark’s Barber Shop, which honors Joe’s Bodyworks Company. So far, Hayes’ biggest outlet has been the Gig Harbor Farmers Market. He also sold his products at last month’s Winter Warm-Up at the Key Peninsula Civic Center in Vaughn.

Hayes said he wants to use the profits for flying lessons because college is already taken care of. Hayes also has been an avid skier since he was 2, and he joined the race team when he was 5.

Hayes’ business started with a loan from his dad.

“Now my business is Rock ‘n Rollin,’ ” he said.

Hayes’ company is called Eau du Joe. For more information, visit www.eaudujoe.com or call his order line at 253-444-7667.