Jocelyn Griffin is 16 and has already owned two businesses. Her future plans include becoming a marine biologist, traveling and customizing a van into a business studio. David Stone photo

By DAVID STONE, Our Town Temple

Jocelyn Griffin has nearly six years of business experience and is about three years into her latest venture. That’s quite an accomplishment, even for a 16-year-old who starts college next month.

“I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit,” Jocelyn said this week. “I used to pick up rocks, and I tried to get Mom to help me sell them on Facebook. She said no.”

While the rock business didn’t go as planned, Jocelyn found success at age 11 with JLN Pineapple Co., a business that specialized in bath and body products, cleaning balms and body scrub.

“I sold to products to family, friends and people at church,” she said. “It did OK — it spread by word of mouth.”

Today, Jocelyn is owner and operator of JLN Creates, a Temple business that makes just about anything a customer wants.

“I started out making t-shirts, but now my biggest sellers are signs,” she said. “I can use logos, slogans, whatever my customer wants. I also create custom logos for businesses.”

That’s just the tip of Jocelyn’s creative iceberg.

“I make banners and signs of any size, from as small as 4x4 to as big as you want them,” she said. “I also make party supplies such as cake and cupcake toppers. I can create something for everyone. My prices range from $8 to $120.”

Jocelyn is quite the artist — she draws portraits by hand or digitally with the help of her iPad.

“She also makes holiday themed signs and decorations,” said Priscilla Griffin, Jocelyn’s mom. “Fall and around Christmas are her busy times.”

When not creating logos and signs for Temple-area businesses, Joceyn is busy studying for a future in marine biology.

“I’m a homeschooled student in Liberty University’s Online Academy,” she explained. “It’s a K through 12 program. Next month, I start my junior year of high school, but the program also allows me to start college at Liberty University. So, this summer I’ll be a junior and a freshman.”

“I really like the online program. It teaches time management and there are fewer distractions. Eventually, though, I’ll finish at a college here in Texas to study marine biology.”

Mom and Dad have been exploring the idea of purchasing a RV and traveling in a few years, and they have invited Joceyln to come along.

“I told them I’d like to travel, but I’ll be following them,” she said. “I plan to buy a van and customize it for my business. But, I do daydream about opening a store.”

While a van, storefront and dolphins may be in her future, right now the young entrepreneur is focusing on car payments. She has purchased a vehicle jointly with her parents and is making half the payments.

To shop at Jocelyn’s Facebook store, visit https://www.facebook.com/JLNCreates.

SATURDAY | APRIL 30

Snow White Ballet at CAC on May 14-15

Our Town Temple

Mirror, mirror on the wall, what ballet is fun for one and all? 

The Classical Ballet Conservatory at Lisa’s Dance Connection invites you to experience a spring ballet production of The Snow White Ballet on May 14 and 15 at the Cultural Activities Center in Temple.

Local Ballet Conservatory dancers ages 5 through adult — including our Dancers With Possibilities (dancers with special needs) — will bring to life the traditional tale of Snow White, the Seven Dwarves, and the Prince as they outwit the Evil Queen in her plans to take over the kingdom, said Marci Beeksma, director of Classic Ballet Conservatory.

Shows will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 14, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 15. Tickets are $15 per person and are available now online at cacarts.org. 

“Join us for this performance of a family favorite,” Beeksma said. “It truly is fun for all ages!”

Half-priced pet adoptions through May 7

The Temple Animal Shelter is celebrating National Pet Week with half-priced pet adoptions today through May 7.

The Temple Animal Shelter is located at 620 Mama Dog Circle, near the intersection of South 31st Street and Avenue H, under the overpass.

Standard adoption fees for animals that are not spayed or neutered are normally set at $20 dogs and $10 cats but are currently offered at $10 for dogs and $5 for cats, Strunk said.

Animals that are spayed or neutered are normally set at $50 for dogs and $40 for cats but are offered at $25 for dogs and $20 for cats during this special. Spay, neuter, and vaccine requirement fees will still be required by the pet owner.

People interested in adopting an animal must bring an ID to the shelter. If the address on the ID is not up to date, people must bring a utility bill with their ID.

To meet adoptable animals, visit the Temple Animal Shelter from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Appointments are not required to meet or adopt an animal. Adoptable animals may also be viewed online at templetx.gov/animalshelter.

The shelter also is accepting monetary donations to sponsor a spay or neuter for an adopted animal.

Donations can be sent via mail to the shelter — 620 Mama Dog Cir, Temple, TX 76504 —or dropped off in person. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, call the shelter at (254) 298-5732.

today’s best bets

• Fire Base Brewing is celebrating two years in business with yard games, live music, a food truck, axe throwing, a special Name That Tune Bingo Edition. Mark your calendars! New beers, new glassware, new fun! Noon to 10 p.m. Music by Wade Ralston and Maxx Carter beginning at 3 p.m.

• Lil’ Bit o’ Bloomin’ — a modified version of the popular Bloomin’ Temple Festival — continues today with a free family friendly experience that includes two stages, food and shopping opportunities. One of the highlights of the festival — especially for the littles — is a kids zone and two interactive art exhibits where visitors can showcase their creative talents. Today’s events start at 11 a.m. and the Kids Zone opens at noon. Vendors, food trucks and strolling entertainment will be featured throughout the day. Saturday’s music will include Ben Hatton at 4:45, Alexis McLaughlin at 5, Saints Eleven at 6, Taylor Branch & The Lone Star Ramblers at 6:45, LC Rocks at 7:30 and The Last Bandoleros at 8:45 p.m.

• Fred Fuller live at Barrow Brewing at 7 p.m.

• Korrupted Comedy Showcase at Corkey's. Doors open at 7, show at 8. See ad in today’s Our Town Temple!

• Chick-Fil-A  and The Beltonian Theatre present Mother & Son Date! Enjoy a movie with your favorite lady — Mom! Enjoy breakfast, popcorn, a movie and photos. Featured show: The Lego Movie. 9 a.m.

• The inaugural Hot-Rod Tour of Texas will make a stop in Temple during its April 29 to May 1 cruise from Victoria to Mansfield. For the most part, drivers avoid interstates and take in the scenic backroads of Texas. The group will pull into Temple at about 3:45 p.m. on April 30, and on May 1 the drivers will gather in the Temple Mall parking lot. The hot-rodders will leave the mall at 8:30 a.m. and head down 31st Street before departing for Moody.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

To include your events in What’s Happening, email information to OurTownTemple@gmail.com. Photos are welcome to for use in the publication as space permits!