NOCATEE, Fla. — Jameson Shaw, a young baker from St. Johns County, is now navigating the business world. The 13-year-old entrepreneur is doing it in memory of her grandfather, who battled Alzheimer’s.
“My Poppy had Alzheimer’s, and I decided that I wanted to raise money so I could help other people with Alzheimer’s,” Shaw said.
Kukidoodle is a made-from-scratch cookie company. Shaw started the business towards the end of 2019. Her hope was to use the profits and put it towards Alzheimer’s research. But, at 77 years old, James Russell Shaw, better known as “Poppy”, passed away from the disease.
He left behind a legacy in the River City, being the first President of the Sulzbacher Homeless Center in downtown Jacksonville.
“Kukidoodle makes me think about my dad [Poppy], and it makes me feel like we’re still helping,” Will Shaw, Jameson’s father said.
Despite the heartbreak of losing Poppy, the Shaw’s persevered. Jameson continued her cookie business, throughout a global pandemic.
“I sold them at Joint Bagel, and I sold them to people in my neighborhood,” Shaw said. “Then it started to become really popular.”
Batch after batch, Shaw hopes her hard work can help find a cure. The 13-year-old’s goal is to raise $25,000 before she graduates high school.