St John’s Year 10 Student, Mackenzie Robinson, has become a remarkable young entrepreneur with his business, Pens by Kenz. At just twelve years old and in Year 7, Mackenzie was inspired by his grandfather, a former Manual Arts teacher, to start crafting his own line of handmade wood-turned pens during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.
The process of creating these unique pens involves cutting down timber into smaller pieces, drilling the pen’s centre, gluing in tubes, and skillfully turning the wood on a lathe—a craft passed down to Mackenzie by his grandfather. Mackenzie primarily uses recycled timber sourced from local sawmills and offcuts. Additionally, he incorporates sentimental pieces, such as timber from people’s grandparents’ homes or old silky oak furniture. His dedication to his craft even led him and his father on an 18-hour journey to Cunnamulla in 2021 to acquire rare Gidgee timbers for his pen production.
While Mackenzie takes pleasure in creating one-of-a-kind pieces from recycled timber, he also appreciates the freedom of owning his own business. He enjoys working diligently for nine months of the year and relishing the summer holidays. The perks of entrepreneurship are not lost on this young ‘kidpreneur.’
Mackenzie has received support from St John’s own DET teachers, who have provided advice and shared techniques, allowing him to work with some of the school’s timber resources. His exquisite line of pens is lovingly made and sold both online and at local markets, including St John’s own Mother’s Day High Tea event held last week.
Mackenzie’s mother, Kylie, expressed her joy in seeing the bond between her son and his grandfather strengthen through the art of pen turning. “Pop has thoroughly enjoyed teaching Mackenzie and his brother the art of pen turning. It’s beautiful to hear them chatting and spending time together. Pop comes over quite regularly to check on the quality and give a few tips!” she shared.
For those interested in discovering more about Mackenzie’s unique pens, they can visit Pens by Kenz on Facebook (2) Pens by Kenz | Facebook . Mackenzie’s entrepreneurial journey serves as an inspiration to young individuals pursuing their passions and turning them into successful ventures, all while cherishing family connections.
