AN ENTREPRENEURIAL schoolgirl has “blown her family’s minds” after her idea to sell crystals turned into a fullyfledged business.

Millie McNeil, 13, from Leigh, started selling crystals at car boot sales and festivals but the venture has proved so popular she has even set up her own online shop via Etsy.

The Belfairs Academy student launched Crystal Girl Rocks during the 2020 Covid lockdown and it has been growing ever since.

Millie has loved crystals since she was little but it was only three years ago she started to create jewellery, chains and rock items.

She was encouraged to build the business after people struggling with stress reached out through social media to speak about how they help with relaxation.

Her business has been going from strength to strength, resulting in her appearing at major events across Essex and claiming a prestigious award.

Mum Clare Barnett, 41, said: “It blows my mind.

“We have always done carboot sales, and the business properly started when she put up a stand next to us in 2022, where her items kept selling out.

“We thought it would fizzle out but three years along, she has been working so hard with her Etsy orders, appearing at events, such as the Leigh Folk Festival, countless school fairs and the Braintree Carnival.

“She loves being at school fairs because she can sell to her age range, where she tries to keep everything at an affordable price.

“She has such a passion for them and loves to chat about crystals with people she meets at fairs.

“Recently, she won the prestigious Jack Petchey Achievement Award, which recognises outstanding young people aged 11-25 across the region and London.

“She received a £300 prize alongside the award, which she plans to use on taking her art class on a school trip. We are just so, so proud of her.”

Millie says that “you do not necessarily need to believe in the healing properties of crystals; many just love them as they are so pretty and fascinating.”

After reinvesting her profits into more crystals, she has been able to save up and fund some school trips in the last year, including a maths trip to New York.

For more information, visit etsy.com/uk/shop/CrystalGirlRocks.