Ozark teen youngest-ever chamber member
OZARK — Keeton Gardner made history when he joined the Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce. The 15-year-old Carroll High School sophomore is the youngest entrepreneur ever to join the chamber serving the Dale County seat, said Chamber Executive Director Rosmarie Williamson.
The son of Jessica Moore and the late Charles Gardner and the grandson of Paul and Debbie Harp, all of Ozark, is the founder, owner, and operator of KG's Kreations, a free-dried candy and baked goods company.
Freeze-dried candy, Gardner said, is candy preserved using a freeze-drying machine which removes extra moisture from the candy, enhancing the sweetness of the treat. Popular candies to freeze-dry include Skittles, taffy, marshmallows, and gummy candies. The finished product from the procedure that is similar to dehydration has a sponge-like texture.
Freeze-dried candy tastes sweeter and richer than the original because they are more concentrated due to the loss of water. The candy may puff up or "explode" and no longer look like the original, he explained.
"It all started one day when I wanted some money and my mom didn't want to give it to me," said Gardner, recalling the day the business-ball started rolling. "She told me I needed to find a way to make money so I could buy things for myself."
Gardener credits his stepfather Devaughn Moore for his inspiration. "He started his own real estate brokerage. That inspired me to start my own business," he said. "I started out doing a lot of baked goods like cakes and cookies. I've always loved to bake with my mother and grandmother."
This past year Gardner bought a medium sized freeze-drier that holds four trays and the candy business began. It's not just for candy; vegetables and fruits can be freeze-dried, he said. "You can also freeze-dry soup and ice cream."
KG's Kreations has a mascot named Freeze. "He is the chillest bear around, keeping the freeze-dried magic alive with his laid-back style," Gardner said. "There are vendors everywhere and we wanted a way to bring sales towards us so we came up with a big polar bear with candy all over him."
Gardner said his plans after high school graduation include attending baking and culinary arts school and he hopes to return to his hometown to continue expanding his business. He was a vendor at the Dale County Farmers Market in Ozark this summer and joined the chamber because he wants to stay involved with his community, he said.
Garner volunteers at the Ozark Boys & Girls Club, where his mother serves as executive director.
He is also a tenor saxophone player in the Carroll High School Band. In his spare time, Gardner said he enjoys playing video games and playing with his four cats. "I love my cats," he said with a smile.
From baking to freeze-drying candy, Gardner said he has poured his heart and soul into making this dream a reality.
"Just go out there, do your best, do what you're good at and just enjoy yourself," is the message Gardener said he sends to others with dreams.
"It is one of the proudest moments of my life," said his mother at her son's chamber ribbon cutting. "I am absolutely more proud of him than I can express."
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