Finance
Entrepreneurial Prodigy: 10-Year-Old Chicken Farmer Battles Bank to Claim Her Earnings
2024-11-10
In a remarkable display of entrepreneurial spirit, a 10-year-old girl from Thatcher, Arizona has been making waves with her unique business venture – raising and selling chickens. Despite facing a frustrating battle with her bank to access the hard-earned proceeds from her endeavor, this young go-getter is determined to overcome the obstacles and claim what is rightfully hers.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
A Passion for Poultry
Kinley Maner, a 10-year-old resident of Thatcher, Arizona, has discovered a unique passion – raising and selling chickens. Living in a rural area about three hours southeast of Phoenix, Kinley has embraced the opportunity to immerse herself in the world of poultry farming. "I just thought that it would be fun, because when they're little, they're so cute," Kinley shared, expressing her genuine enthusiasm for her feathered companions.Kinley's father, J.R. Maner, has been impressed by the valuable lessons his daughter has learned through this experience. "It really taught her kind of strict obedience of being out there and taking care of an animal," he said, highlighting the responsibility and dedication Kinley has demonstrated in her poultry endeavor.A Successful Venture
Kinley's hard work and dedication paid off when she proudly showcased her chickens at the Graham County Fair. After the auction, Kinley's six chickens had fetched an impressive $2,100, a testament to her skills as a young entrepreneur.The treasurer of the Small Stock Association issued Kinley a check, which was then electronically deposited into her mother's bank account at Chase Bank. "So we cashed it," her father recounted, "Didn't think it would be a big deal. And the next day, Chase closed Kalli's bank account."A Frustrating Battle with the Bank
To Kinley and her family's dismay, the bank froze the check, preventing the young farmer from accessing her well-deserved earnings. Chase Bank claimed the check was suspicious, citing an out-of-service phone number for the Small Stock Association as the reason for their skepticism.Kalli Maner, Kinley's mother, spent countless hours on the phone with Chase Bank, seeking answers and a resolution to the issue. "Their ultimate response is that, sorry, Kinley is not going to get her money back," J.R. Maner lamented, "And there's nothing we can do unless we can verify that check."Perseverance and Determination
Despite the frustrating ordeal, Kinley remained steadfast in her pursuit of her rightful earnings. "I was a little bit upset because I deserved that money, and it was supposed to be mine," the young entrepreneur expressed.Her father, J.R. Maner, echoed his daughter's sentiments, stating, "And we think that she deserves to get the money that she rightfully earned." The family then reached out to the local news station, KPHO, to share Kinley's story and seek assistance in resolving the matter.A Triumphant Resolution
The power of media attention proved to be a game-changer for Kinley and her family. Shortly after Kinley's story was shared, the bank apologized and swiftly worked to rectify the situation, ensuring that Kinley received her hard-earned $2,100."I was surprised when I got it, but I also was excited," Kinley expressed, reflecting on the resolution of the ordeal. The young entrepreneur plans to use a portion of the money for something fun, while the majority will be deposited into her college fund, demonstrating her foresight and financial responsibility.Kinley's inspiring story serves as a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and determination that can be found in the most unexpected places. Her journey has not only showcased her business acumen but has also inspired others to pursue their passions and overcome obstacles with resilience and grit.