What If A Small Spark Could Become A Star

A 15-year-old with three children’s books, a youth business camp, a custom apparel line, an after-school academy, and a nonprofit sounds like a headline. For us, it’s family, and it’s also proof that a “small spark” can turn into something real when you put in the work. I’m Josiellia Williams, and I’m joined by my grandson Jaiden Bostic for a warm, honest talk about how his ideas became products, programs, and community impact.

We start with the heart of it: The Prince And The Butterfly book series, inspired by the bond between Jaden and his sister and shaped from a bedtime story into published children’s books. From there, Jaden breaks down the meaning behind the J Spark name and motto, and how branding is more than a logo. It’s a promise you keep across everything you build.

Then we get practical about youth entrepreneurship and kid business owners. Jaiden shares how J Spark Innovators runs as a two-week business camp that teaches business basics, ethics, and confidence, ending in a pop-up shop where kids sell what they’ve created. We also talk J Spark Apparel and how custom shirts, hoodies, and polos help teams and school groups show pride, plus J Spark Academy and why an after-school space with homework support and structure can change a child’s week. Finally, Jaiden walks us through J Spark Cares and the mission to give back through donations and resources for families at Ronald McDonald House and children’s hospital networks.

If you care about teen entrepreneurship, children’s books, mentorship, and building a business that serves the community, you’ll get a lot out of this conversation. Subscribe, share this with a parent or young creator, and leave us a review. What would you build with your own spark?

Transcript

Welcome And Meet Jaden

SPEAKER_01 0:04

Hello everyone and welcome to Native Drums. I'm Jocelia Williams, your Williams, your host today. I had some cake and I am really tied tongue right now. But um we're here and blessed. And today I have with me someone who's near and dear to me. It's my firstborn grandson. And today is Jaden Bostic. Hello, Jaden. Hi. It's great to have you here with your nana. Jaden is an author. He's an actor. He's a businessman. All this started at what age? Uh I guess we could say six. Six years old. Six years old. Yeah, he's a designer. He's just

The Prince And The Butterfly Books

SPEAKER_01 0:50

blessed with all his gifts. And today we're going to talk about those components. Right now, we have here his book. He has three books. And um, this is Prince and the Butterfly go to school. Yeah. And then there's Prince and the Butterfly. And then there's Prince and the Butterfly goes to the beach, right? Go to the beach. Okay, this was the first one, right? Yes, ma'am. So what is the what was the motivation when um with beginning the series of The Prince and the Butterfly?

SPEAKER_00 1:22

Um, really, each of the books, they follow the story of the Prince and the Butterfly. Uh, they're really best friends in the book, but they're modeled after me and my sister, Nina. Uh, my mom calls me the prince and her affectionately the butterfly. So uh I came up with that first story that was kind of like a bedtime story that I was telling from time to time. And one day we decided, let's put it into a book, share the story with others. And Nina was like, Well, we gotta keep the story going. So uh that's where all the books are coming from, there, coming to the trilogy for The Prince and the Butterfly, The Prince and the Butterfly go to the beach, and them going to school, and possibly more to come.

SPEAKER_01 1:59

Oh, right, all right. So, The Prince and the Butterfly, the first one is actually basically when they met, right? Right. Oh, okay. And then the next one, they did a little outing. Went on to the beach. They went to the beach, had a good time by the waves. Wow. And then they go to school. Oh, wow. Oh, and the print the butterfly has a little pocketbook. Is that a little book, a little satural? Yeah. That is so neat. That is so neat. Oh, well, congratulations to you

Why The Brand Is Named J Spark

SPEAKER_01 2:30

on your book. Thank you, thank you. Now, this summer you had a camp, a business camp. It's called J Spark Innovators. And J Spark is the name of your company. Right.

SPEAKER_00 2:41

How'd you come up with that name, J Spark? Uh J Spark. So originally, well, my name is Jaden, so that's where the J comes from. And originally we wanted to call it J Star. Because, you know, our motto is because there's a little light in everyone. And through J Spark, we uh we aim to help to help young people and older people alike to let their little star shine. So we wanted to go with JSTAR uh off the start, but we also wanted to kind of add a little something. JSTAR was flat and plain. So J Spark kind of imported kind of gave us a little bit more of everything that J Spark could be because uh a whole star, that's like that's the big shebang. Yeah. But a little spark, we kind of tap into that little sparkle and we turn it into a star. If you follow us.

SPEAKER_01 3:28

So that's where J Spark all came from. And that is exactly what's happening in your world. That little spark, and it's just all the different components have grown. So we have the books, and then we were we're gonna talk about the business

Inside The J Spark Innovators Camp

SPEAKER_01 3:45

camp, the innovators. So let's talk about J Spark Innovators.

SPEAKER_00 3:48

So this past summer has been our second annual year doing the J Spark Innovator Camp. Uh, it's been a wonderful time. We've worked with over 15 kids, uh, them all starting their own business, some of them improving on the business that they already had. So we've been doing a two-week course where they come in, we talk about majority for the first week, we talk about business basics, uh, what it means to be a kid in an adult business world. Because you know, uh business is a world of adults and big people ensued. So they can kind of look a little odd to have children working in that facet. So most of that first week is working about the ethics and the business and knowing that terminology. And then we really hit the ground running in the second week where we start working on their businesses, making their products, where it all boils down to the pop-up shop at the end of the camp where they can showcase their business and everything that they work so hard for.

SPEAKER_01 4:43

Oh, wonderful, wonderful. So, what are some of the businesses that have, I know they got the Lemonade Twins, and what are some of the businesses that are part of the J Spark?

SPEAKER_00 4:52

So we've uh had the honor of having the Lemonade Twins from Columbia, South Carolina coming and working with us. We're able to help them with some ideas, bring some new innovation to their company. We've also had uh Nina J by J Spark and um Daddy Grand Lemonade. She came in, and that's my little sister. She's been working with us, and she started her own gymnast uh gymnastics line called Triple Cast that'll also feature uh workout attire. So that's gonna be a great thing uh already in the motion, but even more coming soon. We've had uh so many great companies from uh Downbeats, that's Dallas Butler, and his uh wonderful music line, and they have equipment, we have uh ceiling creations with jewelry, it's a lot of great things, and so many great things.

SPEAKER_01 5:39

What's the name of the um the company where the little the um young man makes the little socks?

SPEAKER_00 5:44

The socks with locks. Yes, we have uh Blaze Jameson with Blaze Out Loud. He has one of his main things is creativity and uh and working on giving uh black people, especially a voice to be free and uh elevate the black people back, black boy joy, excuse me. That's what his terminology is. So one of his things that he offers are socks with locks. They're socks that have uh that have kind of like they look like they have locks on them and googly eyes, and it's a really fun way to express yourself. So that's Blaze Out Loud. He's really fun.

SPEAKER_01 6:19

Socks with locks. Socks with locks. Now, I don't think this young man was there this year because I think he moved. But the young, the little one with the spices, with the different seasonings.

SPEAKER_00 6:30

Yes, yes. Uh Xavary, that was uh that was the Varek Hines, he did move, but he's still continuing in his craft. He's uh made spices, so uh his spices are real good.

SPEAKER_01 6:40

Yes, they are. We still got some of the and I still want some.

SPEAKER_00 6:45

We can definitely get you in contact because uh we're working on getting all of the all of the innovators, their contact information on our website so that they can continue to uh share. But in the next year, we will definitely have their websites ready to go so they can function them themselves.

SPEAKER_01 7:01

Oh, wonderful, wonderful. Yeah, that that it was amazing how his spices were so good. And you know, I'm not a big cook, but I w when I did cook, I used this one, and they you didn't have to do much because you just wanted it. It was all together. Yeah, it was all together. That was great. That was great. So those are the J Spark innovators, and okay, they usually this camp usually takes place um the beginning of the summer.

SPEAKER_00 7:26

The beginning of the summer, yes, ma'am. So uh usually around right after school that we've been doing it most recently. We've done uh done the two weeks that'll come about a week after you get out for school. So that's really great for immediate things for parents to look for whenever their kids are straight at school. Well, y'all not gonna stay in the house and eat up all my food. So it's a great place for them to make their own money so they can buy their own food.

SPEAKER_01 7:52

Good point. Good point. Now,

Custom Apparel That Builds Team Pride

SPEAKER_01 7:55

now let's move to the J Spark designs, the t-shirts, and all of that. The the what is it, um, J Spark in the runway?

SPEAKER_00 8:06

Oh, all of that. So, J Spark Apparel, that's our custom clothing line, and that's really all we do with clothes. I'm really excited about that and how that's elevating in these coming years. So, as we talked about earlier, our main initiative is to bring out the star in everybody, but especially young people. So, what we're working on now is partnering with uh different organizations and groups that work closely with young people or are solely young people, like uh schools with uh marching bands and beta clubs, everybody from the biggest football team in the district to the little uh chess club that just started. We want to be able to supply all their needs to turn their dreams into dress. So that's just a great way that we've been able to use our uh resources and our services to make uh custom clothes from t-shirts to polos to hoodies, everything that you can think of to uh just help them better represent themselves.

SPEAKER_01 9:05

Yeah, you did um dress the football team, didn't you?

SPEAKER_00 9:08

We did. Oh we had the um honor of dressing the football team and the trail leading squad with them, so that was a great um opportunity.

SPEAKER_01 9:14

Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. So hey coaches, Jay Spark, give you a good price. A little advertisement there. Oh, wow, that's great. And now um the after-school program, J Spark Academy.

SPEAKER_00 9:32

J Spark Academy.

SPEAKER_01 9:33

Yeah, let's talk about that.

SPEAKER_00 9:35

Now that's one of the facets that um started during COVID. So during

J Spark Academy After School Support

SPEAKER_00 9:40

COVID, whenever uh we were all virtually online, the people, some people still had to go to work. And they just didn't want to leave their kids all alone. So we had a J Spark Academy where they could come in, they get on their class online, we had space for them to um to do their work, make sure that they got their work done. So when the parents get done with work, they come. And we continue to keep on with it. So now it's transformed into an after school uh facility where the kids they we pick them up. Some pick them up from after school, some uh after they get picked up from school, they come to us. And we offer some tutoring, but we also have just a space for them to get homework done because you know going home, you get distracted by so many things. So it's just a wonderful place to be able to get things done. And it's a great uh it's a great hub of resources. Right. Because at the same place that we have Jess Rock Academy, we also partner well with Vision Studios, where they have their um presented by my parents, they have uh different lessons and engagements from drum lessons to singing lessons, piano lessons, uh so much more, and then they have recitals every year. So it's just a great place for the children to be educationally and just to grow their craft as well.

SPEAKER_01 10:52

Yeah, that's that's exactly right. Because the J Spark bus picks them up from school. So there's transportation for them. Cash likes that. The J Spark bus. Yeah, he talks about that all the time. Oh my goodness. And um, there was uh, you've got so many things going on. There was one other thing I needed to talk about, and it has

Acting On The Watchmen Set

SPEAKER_01 11:15

slipped my mind, but um you have done some acting, Jaden. I have. Um uh so let's kind of talk about that experience. Um, some of the the um the things that you've done. Um, because I remember that that what was it, the Watchmen. The Watchmen.

SPEAKER_00 11:34

Yes, I had the honor and the privilege to uh come into The Watchmen for really I came in to film for about a day or so, but I ended up appearing in two episodes. So that was a great opportunity. That was really my um first like going to a full studio, being on set with so many great people. Shout out to my TV mom and dad. Uh I love you all so much. And it was really a great uh it was a great experience to really be uh around people. I was in, if I believe, if I remember correctly, I believe episode six and seven of I want to say I don't know what season.

SPEAKER_01 12:11

Okay, yeah, but it was the award-winning season, matter of fact. Yes it was a matter of fact, that uh particular um scene you were in won um the Emmy Award. Isn't that the Emmy for the daytime television? For the night television, yeah, for the series, yeah. Yeah, so um that I'm sure that was a great experience for a a young man like you. Um so J Spark is just it's it it's great to have uh you're how old now? I'm 15. Last week last week as of last week. So you've been in business for how many years? I don't know. I'm talking about nine years. Nine years, yeah. So did we get all of your businesses? Did we pick? Did we get all

J Spark Cares And Giving Back

SPEAKER_01 12:55

of your business? Uh there was one more thing, and I just it it it has left me right now.

SPEAKER_00 13:02

Well, I know that we also oh, J Spark cares. The nonprofit.

SPEAKER_01 13:06

That was it. That's it, yeah. Thank you, thank you. That's it, because um J Spark does give back to the community. Um you raise funds during the year uh so that you can give to um the Ronald McDonald House. Yeah, and as well as um McCloud Children's Hospital. Right. Yeah, so you're reaching two regions with that. Yes, ma'am. So let's talk about that, what you've done at Ronald McDonald House.

SPEAKER_00 13:34

So at Ronald McDonald House, uh this is going to be our sixth year going into uh working with them and our nonprofit J Spark Cares. But as you said, we collect um resources, donations all throughout the year, especially during the uh winter holiday season, so that we can give back uh usually at the end of December, early June, uh early July. Oh my goodness, early January. Yes, and it's a wonderful time. Uh last year we were able to raise $5,000 for all the participating organizations, and it was really a great impact. We usually call ahead to see what what we can do for you all. Because that's what um that's what giving back's all about, what filling that uh filling that need. Thank you. So last year we were able to give them snacks, uh, food, the utilities, uh utilities, and the things like that. Uh, we were able to give them two TVs this time because we had to finish the set from last year. We gave them, I believe, seven TVs. Wow. Yes, seven TVs to go into their rooms because you know, uh the families of the children that are sick, they they do stay there, and entertainment can definitely be something to get their mind off of the things going on. So, uh getting those TVs in there, we were so excited to be able to complete the set. And the year before we're able to bring in a deep freezer for them. And so it's really just trying to fill the void in any way we can. Our ultimate goal is to fully sponsor one of the rooms there so that we'll be able to bring in a family for free. Well, they already have the families in for free, but that we can be able to bring in more families so that they can know about it. Yeah. And that will kind of pay to bring in more resources, more uh information out. The family's already getting there for free. I misspoke. But it's really a great thing, as well as being able to give so much to the McCloud's Children Miracle Network. It's such a great time to come down, uh, come down here with you all. I believe I came on the radio one time. Yeah, you did. It was amazing. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 15:38

Yes, yes, and um, they look forward to you you coming each year to to make that donation. And I know Ronald McDonald House just looks forward to you to the special time whenever you arrive with all the wonderful things for the children. So that's awesome that you give back to the community in such a great big way. That's awesome, that's awesome. So, hey, yeah. Um, it's so it's so um wonderful to know that um you have grown up to be such uh uh an entrepreneur as well as a young uh a young um philanthropist giving back to the community. So thank you ever so much, Taylor, for sharing here with your Nana here at Native Drums or with Savannah Grove Baptist Church. We're ever so proud of you, and you just continue to do

Pride, Gratitude, And What’s Next

SPEAKER_01 16:30

what you do. And um we're waiting for that fourth book. Okay. It's coming soon. All right, we look forward to it. Thank you so much. Thank you. All right, everyone. We're ever so glad that you have uh stuck and stayed with us today here at Native Drums, and we'll be back on next Sunday with more great information for you. So have a beautiful, beautiful evening.