8-year-old Moreno Valley girl turns traumatic event into inspiration with business to empower others

MORENO VALLEY (KABC) -- She's only eight years old, but a Moreno Valley girl is well on her way to becoming a "girl boss."

Au'bree Evans turned a traumatic encounter from her childhood into the inspiration for a business to help other young girls. She even has her own pop-up shop in Moreno Valley.

The reason behind her business endeavor stems from her dealing with severe post-traumatic stress disorder caused by a near kidnapping two years ago.

Aubree's mom, Kiara Evans, encouraged her daughter to tap into her creativity.

"Au'bree's fear for that has been constant. The PTSD, the night terrors ... It got overwhelming at times," said Kiara.

Au'bree's business model was to help young girls who are beginning their menstrual cycle, which is something that can often lead to bullying in school.

The young girl said she witnessed it happen to a friend.

"I told her, 'Are you ok?' I asked her, and she's like, 'No because boys keep making fun of girls,'" said the 8-year-old. "I was like, 'I'm going to do something about this.'"

Au'bree branded her own fanny packs and inside, young girls can find all the toiletries they need.

"Our young girls ... no one brings awareness to them anymore," said Evans. "That's kind of what hurts. We have these pretty little princesses and nobody thinks about them."

Next weekend, Au'bree is going to Las Vegas to be a vendor at an event called "Young Biz Kids."

She told ABC7 she has plans to take her pop-up even further through the summer, including a trip to Texas.

Her mom knows she's learning valuable life lessons.

"Why work for somebody when you can work for yourself?" said Kiara. "Why wait until you're 18 when you can start as young as she is."

Au'bree is hoping to bring a little awareness and support for young girls just like her.

That's why some of her favorite products are stress balls and slime.

"Anything you can squeeze ... squeeze it!" said Au'bree. "You'll be fine. Yep, that's all you've got to do."