Kids to Know: Ansley Kins

When your parents have owned a successful local business for over 12 years and are known for their creative vision, commitment to community and curating a positive experience with all they do—well, you’re bound to be a savvy entrepreneur yourself. Ansley Kins can not only operate a point-of-sale commerce system, but she is also the co-author of her very first published children’s book. She is here to share her adventures beyond The ‘Burg and from the pages of “Ansley Z: Fashion Queen to Be.”

Tell us about yourself!

Ansley Kins: My name is Ansley Kins. I am 8 years old, soon to turn 9 on May 22. I was born in Sarasota, Florida, and I love fashion. My mom owns a store, and since I was little, I have always been in or around her store, have traveled with her buying all over the world, and I love to travel for fun too.

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What do you like most about fashion?

Ansley Kins: I love how fashion can be different for everyone, and I love how it makes me feel. When I have a cute outfit on, I feel happy and ready for my day.

Why did you decide to write a children’s book?

Ansley Kins: I love writing! I write several stories every week to create mini-series. I’ve become a much better writer, too, since my mom made weekdays iPad-free. I also love to read. Series like Owl Diaries, Harry Potter and Diary of a Wimpy Kid are my favorite. I told my mom that I wanted to write a book that can be sold, star in my own movie and move to Australia. I can’t believe I did one of those things at 8 years old! On one of our airplane rides, my mom and I wrote a book together to pass the time. I didn’t know she was going to actually publish it, I thought we were just doing it for fun. I was really surprised when it actually came out and became an Amazon best seller in its first week!

Also, since we published, I started doing my own illustrations after watching some tutorials on YouTube.

What is the book about and where can we find it?

Ansley Kins: The book is about me, of course! It’s about pieces of my real life now, and about what I hope to happen in the future. It’s online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and at the Jackie Z Store in St. Pete.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Ansley Kins: A heart surgeon. I was diagnosed with a condition called SVT when I was 6 years old, and ever since I’ve had a passion to become a heart surgeon.

What advice do you have for kids that have a dream of doing something really big like writing a book or starting their own business?

Ansley Kins: If you can dream it, you can do it—with the help of your mom, of course! I want to do so many more things. This is just the beginning. Don’t give up and don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do something you love. The answer always is you CAN, and you will figure out how.

What are some of your favorite fashion trends for kids? What are some that you wish would go away?

Ansley Kins: The trend I’m loving now are neons. I love pops of neon with everything in my clothes and accessories. Something I wish would go away are crocs. They are just not cute.

What do you like to do most with your parents in Tampa Bay?

Ansley Kins: I love going to the beach with my parents. We regularly do a staycation on St. Pete Beach or Clearwater Beach, and we have so much fun!

Originally published in the May 2023 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.