When a boy wants an iPhone and his dad says sure – but you earn the money to buy it yourself … well, a boy makes a plan!
When 12-year-old Cai Tudor-Jones told his dad he wanted a new iPhone, he was told he had to buy it himself. And so he did.
There were, admittedly, a few false starts. He’s a very friendly and approachable boy, and has no fear of approaching others, traits which made him excellent at selling raffle tickets for school fund raisers. So idea number one – a raffle. But without a real prize. Dad Dylan stepped in and explained the meaning of fraud. His second and third ideas – becoming a barman or a waiter (did we mention he’s very sociable – if not yet old enough to get behind the bar) were shot down too.
“He then went online to look for ideas of how kids can make money on the internet,” says Dylan. “I could see he was not going to give up … so that’s when I stepped in to guide him.”
Dylan suggested Cai chat to gran Denny Jones, who for years has made delicious fruit squares for her family and friends. Would she share her recipe? Of course. And so #fruitesquares was launched.
Cai designed the logo, he and dad hit the kitchen, and the two set off with their first batch to test the market. Their first stop was Vice Coffee & Elixirs in Craighall Park, where the date, cherries, raisins and almond-loaded squares were a massive hit, with the owner agreeing to buy the first batch. “Or at least what was left of it after we ate the first row in the tray,” says Dylan. “We made no profit from this batch”.
With lessons learnt – make bigger batches so you can buy ingredients in bulk at better pricing, and don’t eat the profits – Cai was off. And cooking!
Within five months #fruitsquares were stocked in The Whippet and 4th Ave Coffee Roasters, Fresh Earth came on board January and you’ll find them at the lovely Pronto this month when The Colony renos are complete.
Over the school hols, Cai and Dylan had a stand at a Christmas Market … massive success, so they’re now looking at Bryanston Organic Market and the Linden Market, with hopefully more to follow.
And when he’s not in class at De La Salle Holy Cross College, he’s busy with direct sales at markets and promotions at the stores where the #fruitsqares are sold, and on most Friday nights, Cai can be found at the Pirates Rugby Club, where he is a member, selling his sweet treats.
And now he has his iPhone (he wasted no time there, making sure he’d made enough money to buy one before Christmas), is there any slowing down? Not a chance. His best friend emigrated last year so now he’s working towards paying for a flight to go and visit him in Einthoven in the Netherlands.
And next? The dad-and-son team are working on a website (www.fruitsquares.co.za) which will open soon and from where they’ll take direct batch orders.
Details: Follow the dynamic duo on Instagram @fruit.squares
You’ll find these delish date, cherry, almond and raisin #fruitsquares, for around R40 each, at:
Vice Coffee & Elixirs Rothesay Ave, Craighall
The Whippet 7th Street, Linden
4th Ave Coffee Roasters 4th Ave, Parkhurst
Pronto The Colony Shopping Centre
Fresh Earth @ freshearth.co.za
Bryanston Organic Market Cullross Road, Bryanston
Linden Market Thomas Bowler St, Franklin Roosevelt Park, Randburg
Follow the dynamic duo on Instagram @fruit.squares
Text: KYM ARGO • Photos: MEGAN BRETT. Location: The Whippet.
Details: thewhippetcoffee.com
