Remember that time you were told off for singing too loud, cracking jokes when you shouldn’t have, or drawing instead of sitting still…
What might have happened if those talents were nurtured instead of punished?
Well, one boy is living proof what happens when we celebrate our unique gifts and is turning his ‘naughtiness’ into entrepreneurial genius.
Meet Joe Whale, who at just nine-years-old is a doodle extraordinaire.
The skilful scribbler couldn’t help himself sketching everywhere he went – including school.
However, the teachers didn’t take too kindly to it and Joe would often get in trouble.
Yet, thanks to his parents brilliant insight, they sent their son to an extracurricular art class where his abilities soon flourished in the right environment.
It was this stepping stone that led to an eagle-eyed member of the hip restaurant Number 4 in Shrewsbury to invite Joe to use their walls as an exclusive home for his artwork.
Jumping at the chance, Joe single-handedly transformed their diner from a blank canvas into a unique wallpaper of quirky characters including friendly spiders and smiley ice-creams.
“The fact that an independent business has asked our son to do a professional piece of work for them is incredible.”
Gregg Whale, Joe’s dad
Chatting about his son’s prowess, dad Gregg revealed that he would drive Joe to draw in the restaurant after school where he spent a combined 12 hours illustrating the wall.
He also encouraged fellow parents to let kids be ambitious and follow their dream, advising that a little research on local workshops or groups in the community can go a long way.
Speaking to Bored Panda in a previous interview, Gregg added: “Joe loves doodling and we’re so proud of everything he’s achieving.
“The fact that a completely independent business has asked our nine-year-old son to do a professional piece of work for them is incredible.”
Not only is Joe now a fully-fledged artist with his own exhibit in front of hundreds of diners each week, he also sells his creations via a digital sticker pack available for fans on the App Store.
For more info, click here: The Doodle Boy.
