An Australian Girl Is Retiring at 11. Here's How She Did It

The age of the Instagram star is upon us.

I feel obliged to warn you of two things. First, it's quite possible that this article will make you cringe so hard that your jaw hurts. And second, the only money-making lesson that can be squeezed from this story may be the power of self-promotion. 

Don't say I didn't warn you.

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An Australian mother has announced that her 11-year-old daughter is "retiring" from her business ventures to "focus on schoolwork."

According to the online economic current affairs newspaper Nairametrics, Pixie Curtis, now age 11, has been in business since she was two years old. At the time, she owned a hair bow company. Her mother, 43-year-old Roxanne Jacenko, said Pixie later started a fidget business that put over $130,000 a month in her bank account. 

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Insta-famous

It all began in 2014 when Jacenko set up an Instagram account. Her page featured Pixie wearing different fashions and hair bows. As she gained more followers, Jacenko decided to set up a business selling the kinds of bows her daughter wore in the photos. She says that soon, the bows started showing up on the children of celebrities, including the Kardashian kids and Suri Holmes. 

The fact that celebrities were shelling out for the bows had a snowball effect, as non-celebrities decided that their kids should own the same hair adornment. And so the business grew. 

Today, young Pixie has 127,000 Instagram followers and, evidently, has raked in enough cash to retire. 

Never underestimate the power of social media when it comes to your own business. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and other sites can be powerful tools to help reach potential customers. 

The fruits of self-promotion

Pixie's mom (momager?) is described as a public relations guru and socialite. She's also credited as a runner-up on The Celebrity Apprentice Australia and the first participant eliminated on another reality show, SAS Australia. 

Little Pixie and her younger brother Hunter have benefitted from all the attention. According to Jacenko, Pixie owns a fleet of cars, including a $155,000 Mercedes Benz. The youngster is featured on Instagram trying on expensive jewelry, relaxing on a plane (or poolside), and modeling new clothes. 

Once, Jacenko shared a photo of her daughter wearing long acrylic nails. Some of those who responded on Instagram were less than complimentary. Jacenko appeared to brush it off, perhaps believing all publicity is good publicity. 

A new chapter

As mentioned, Pixie is now retired. Although her companies have not entirely folded, they have been combined into one online store. Jacenko says that she and her daughter will continue to manage the business together but with "a lot less time/pressure for Pixie." 

Jacenko continues by saying that what excites her most about Pixie's success is the entrepreneurial spirit she displayed at such a young age. There's no word on whether Jacenko managed to make the comment with a straight face. 

No matter who started or ran the business, what's clear is that Pixie Curtis is an adorable kid. And if she ever decides to go into public relations, she's learned from a master.