Grayson and Eden Brinkmeyer
Grade: 6 and 3
Location: College Station, Texas
Business Name:
Scales Tails and Crawlers
Revenue: $2,100
At just 12 and 9 years old, Grayson and Eden are redefining what it means to be young entrepreneurs. Hailing from College Station, Texas, this homeschooled brother-and-sister team runs one of the most unique businesses in the region: Scales, Tails, and Crawlers. Their venture combines education, entertainment, and their shared love for reptiles in a way that captivates and inspires audiences of all ages.
The siblings recently earned a Formidable Fellowship grant, and their story is proof that passion and determination know no age limit. Let’s dive into how this incredible duo turned a childhood love for animals into a thriving business and how they plan to scale their dream.
What is Scales, Tails, and Crawlers?
Scales, Tails, and Crawlers is an educational reptile presentation business that brings snakes, lizards, and other exotic creatures to birthday parties, schools, and special events. Grayson and Eden offer hands-on experiences where attendees learn fun facts about the reptiles' diets, habitats, and behaviors.
“We’ve always loved animals—anything with legs or that can move,” they said. “We teach kids about them in a fun, engaging way, sharing facts like where they’re from and how big they grow. By the end of a party, even kids who were afraid at the beginning are petting or holding a snake.”
Their passion for reptiles is matched by their professionalism. With a growing collection of over 50 reptiles, including bearded dragons, geckos, and hognose snakes, Grayson and Eden are dedicated to making each event unforgettable. Parties range in size and pricing, with a small package starting at $100 and a larger package at $125. Their shows run 45 minutes to an hour and a half, and they sometimes even customize which animals they bring based on client preferences.
A Spark of Inspiration
The idea for Scales, Tails, and Crawlers was born from Grayson's fourth birthday party when their mom hired a reptile presenter. “I thought, ‘One day I wish I could do this.’ When my mom suggested starting a reptile birthday party business, I jumped at the chance. And I thought, ‘Wait, I can get paid to do this?’”
Their entrepreneurial journey didn’t start there, though. The duo previously ran a pet waste removal business, aka “poop scooping,” targeting busy college students in their town. Grayson started that venture as a way to earn money for Legos, but instead of toys, he ended up saving for reptiles. Eden joined the operation when she turned seven, making it a family affair.
These early ventures taught them the basics of running a business: saving, reinvesting, and delivering great customer service. “Our grandpa was also an entrepreneur,” they explained, “so we think that rubbed off on us, too.”
Growing the Business
In 2023, Scales, Tails, and Crawlers performed 21 presentations and earned over $2,000 in revenue. For 2024, they’re ambitiously aiming to double that number by increasing word-of-mouth referrals and leveraging their social media presence on Instagram and Facebook.
The Formidable Fellowship grant they received will play a key role in their growth. Grayson and Eden have already used it to purchase rodent supplies for breeding their own feeders, ensuring a self-sustaining source of food for their reptiles. They’ve also invested in a 3D printer, which they’re using to create personalized, reptile-themed gifts for birthday kids. “Imagine getting a custom 3D-printed snake or lizard as a party favor—it’s a cool way for people to remember us!” they said.
Big Dreams for the Future
While birthday parties and educational events are the core of their business, Grayson and Eden have even bigger plans for Scales, Tails, and Crawlers. Their ultimate goal? To open their own pet store and reptile zoo.
In addition, they want to expand into snake breeding, creating new morphs (genetic variations) that are sought after by reptile enthusiasts. “One of our snakes cost $750 because of its unique genetics, and we want to produce something like that ourselves someday,” they explained.
Their passion for reptiles extends into other areas of life as well. Eden dreams of becoming a vet or vet tech, while Grayson has his sights set on a more hands-on career, like operating heavy machinery. Either way, both siblings plan to keep Scales, Tails, and Crawlers as a family business, with their younger brother Bryce already stepping in to help when needed.
Lessons for Young Entrepreneurs
Grayson and Eden’s journey offers valuable lessons for aspiring young business owners:
Follow Your Passion: “Do something you love, and it’ll never feel like work,” they said. Their love for reptiles has kept them motivated through the ups and downs of running a business.
Start Small and Grow: They began with a single snake and a simple idea. Over time, they’ve reinvested their earnings into expanding their collection and improving their services.
Learn as You Go: Without formal business training, they’ve relied on real-world experience to figure out challenges like budgeting and marketing.
Stay Resilient: There were times when balancing expenses—like buying food for the reptiles—was tough, but they stayed committed and even added pet-sitting services to diversify their income.
The Dream
When asked where they see themselves in five years, Grayson and Eden envision a self-sustaining business that produces its own feeder rodents and breeds high-demand reptiles. They’re also working toward their long-term dream of opening a pet store and reptile zoo, where they can share their love for animals with even more people.
As they put it, “We want to inspire others to follow their passions. If it seems intimidating, just go for it—it’ll pay off in the long run.”
With their ambition, creativity, and work ethic, Grayson and Eden are well on their way to achieving their dreams. Keep an eye on Scales, Tails, and Crawlers—this is only the beginning for these formidable young entrepreneurs.
If you’re in the College Station, Texas area, make your next event unforgettable by booking Scales, Tails, and Crawlers. Find them on Instagram @scalestailsandcrawlers.
