Young Local Entrepreneur Earns National Attention

SQUIRREL HILL (KDKA) -- What does it take to get the attention of billionaire Warren Buffet?

A 10-year-old inventor from Squirrel Hill has made it to the final round of Buffet's contest for young entrepreneurs. Aria Eppinger's exciting ride began when she submitted a three-minute video describing her invention.

"You can transform this T-shirt into this one with light up flowers," she says, indicating clothing that glows in the dark. "And you can make this ordinary hatband glow."

Her videotaped elevator pitch vaulted her past 3,000 competitors into the final five, in Buffet's "Grow Your Own Business Challenge."

Aria's math teacher at the Campus School of Carlow College will join her, as she presents her "Shine So Bright" concept to Warren Buffet next week in Omaha, Neb.

"I have the Shine So Bright prototype craft book kit," she says. "I have the Shine So Bright prototype book, and I have the Shine So Bright prototype of what someone might make after they brought the kit."

The fourth grade entrepreneur has developed what she calls "snap tabs." Battery powered wires are woven into the thread.

"That's what you would be using to essentially create the same thing as a wire, except it would be in the material, and it looks a lot nicer. And it's a lot easier. This is the easier way to light up your clothes, that's kid friendly."

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