Sebastian Wilson is doing wonders in the pizza business. The Brooklyn native, who is just 11 years old, is bringing a Caribbean flair to the Flatbush neighborhood’s culinary scene with Sebastian’s Spices and Slices, his new pizza place.
Wilson’s restaurant, which aims to celebrate Caribbean culture, not only delivers outstanding cuisine but also pays tribute to Trinidad and Grenada, where his mother and stepfather come from.
His mother, Natalie, told News12 Brooklyn, “He lives in a house where we cook oxtail, make curry shrimp and stew chicken.”
“I always try to show him creative ways to play with our food,” she said, explaining why Sebastian’s Spices and Slices has toppings like oxtail, shrimp and even breadfruit.
“I think it can teach a sense of responsibility, discipline, money management, and time management,” she said of the business.
The 11-year-old is gaining experience from his parents, who are business owners and inspired him to launch his own company. They believe that educating him about the business now is critical for long-term success.
They also signed a 10-year lease for the pizzeria, so by the age of 21, he can shape his business, and by 16 or 17, his name will be formally on the paperwork.
He told Pix11, “My mom works a lot, and I want to work a lot so I could, like, get my own money. My parents are hard workers, and I just want to be a hard worker like them.”
Though he’s only in sixth grade, he’s already learning the art of balancing school and business. But, because of his young age and child labor laws, he’s limited in how much he can work, but he still helps out by doing chores and occasionally making pizzas.
He’s also part of key decisions, from designing the store to brainstorming ways to grow his brand.
The young entrepreneur remarked, “This is just a good opportunity to show that Black businesses actually matter,” adding, “I’m grateful because maybe one day I can show my kids how business works.”
He hopes that other young entrepreneurs, regardless of age, will be motivated to pursue their aspirations by his story.
He advised, “It doesn’t matter what age you are. You can still have your dreams come true.”
