Maddie's Monkey Business

How It All Started

Madison started Maddie’s Monkey Business in the summer of 2006, when she was seven years old. She had discovered a book called Moneymakers: Good Cents for Girls by Ingrid Roper. And after reading it, decided she wanted to start a manufacturing business using her artistic skills. She would sell hand-knit purses, creatively designed picture frames, and seedlings for gardens.

But, as all good businesses, things changed and Madison dropped the purses (the Monkey Bags line) and plants and added bracelets. As she mastered her skills, she decided to offer frames upon request (her Monkey Memories line) and added necklaces and earrings to her Monkey Fashion line. She always has her eye out for new products to add to Maddie’s Monkey Business.

Humble Beginnings

Like most children, Madison has loved art from a very early age. But, her parents noticed something unique about her creations early on. At a year and a half Madison had mastered drawing fruit (see lemon and pear pics) and before her second birthday had already learned the art of “The Happy Face” as well as a rendition of Michael Jackson from memory (must have been pre-surgery). From that point on, there was no stopping her.

Over the next few years, Madison learned all about art from observing the world around her, visiting museums, and trial and error. Soon, she had learned the intricacies of depth perception, shading and three-dimensionality. Her parents, not having an artistic hair on either of their heads, enrolled the youngster in art classes, where she absorbed the new ideas, concepts and opportunities like a sponge, and she was off and running.

Soon she was experimenting with other mediums, including sewing and knitting. She started creating her own line of clothing for her dolls and even attempted to make a sweater for herself (although it eventually became a pair of socks).

Where Her Art Has Taken Madison

Madison has used her art as a catalyst in the community:
Soon after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005 Madison learned of a story about a mother who was trying to board a bus to safety after the hurricane. She handed her baby to someone on the bus, and the vehicle drove away before she could board. The mother had no idea where the bus was going and had no way to contact anyone for help. Maddie was devastated and vowed to help anyway she could. She and a her friend created art pieces and sold them to friends, neighbors, family members and people in the community to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Maddie Gets Recognized

As a result of her giving through art, she was recognized in February of 2006 as SBParent.com’s Valentines Child of the Year.

Later that year, Madison won a city-wide coloring contest creating the design for the Santa Barbara landmark cow that sits upon the old McConnel’s Ice Cream Building. Soon after, her design, The Cowger (a cow with tiger stripes), made its debut for the city to enjoy.

A month later, Madison was the youngest vendor in the history of the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Baby Fair, where she sold baby and pregnancy frames as well as her bracelets. People were surprised and delighted to meet such a young entrepeneur.

In 2007 Madison decided to focus on expanding her business, but found time to participate in the Village Properties Beautiful Communities Poster Competition, where she became a finalist. She won an art contest the same year. As a result, her art was used as the cover for The Santa Barbara’s Symphony’s program that season. She also won a county-wide essay contest for American Girl; the topic: “What It Means To Be An American Girl Today”.

In 2009 Madison was chosen in a nationwide search from Toy Quest to be the toy company's first ever kid toy-tester. It was an honor and quite a fun opportunity for Madison.
Click here to see the ABC7 news story.

In 2010, Madison was recognized for her writing efforts in the national 2010 Breaking Barriers Essay Contest through Scholastic Book and MLB. Madison was one of nine children chosen out of over 9,000 entrants. As a result, she was able to attend a Dodgers game, sitting in the owners section with Hall of Famer, Don Newcombe, and daughter of Jackie Robinson, Sharon Robinson.

Madison's Other Loves

This eleven year old not only loves art, but also is enjoys writing her own stories, playing with friends, boogie boarding, dancing and gymnastics. She also has been trying to earn money for college via print modeling. Starting at the age of three (when she was discovered walking in a local mall) Madison has appeared in print ads for the La Cumbre Plaza, and Mi Escuelita, as well as national and international campaigns for Tee Tot, Gymboree and Red Envelope.

Where Does Madison See MMB Taking Her?

She wants to take some of her profits and reinvest in her business to allow it to grow. Some of the profits will go to her annual charitable event, Kidz For A Cure, while other profits she'll be investing in companies like McDonalds, Intel and Wal Mart. And, the remaining will go to fun things like a new video camera. Madison plans on heading her business into her teen years and beyond. She hopes MMB will help her to be admitted into the college of her choice. She sees her creation as a vehicle that can help her with her life and a way for her to help others through motivational speaking.

Welcome to Maddie's Monkey Business