FROM WORMS TO KIDS: HARRIS HAS SHOWN GOLDEN ENTREPRENEURIAL TOUCH

Entrepreneurs can often by discerned at an early age.

Growing up in Marble Hill in the 1970s, Don Harris was never at a loss for money-making ventures. He worked a paper route for the Southeast Missourian, mowed yards, sold fishing worms and worked in a local grocery store.

Today Harris is thriving along with Jackson. Already owner of Senior Benefit Service and Donnie Harris Entertainment Systems, he embarked upon a new field in August, 1998. The venture was Just Kids Learning Development Center, at 1327 E. Main.

Since then he has opened a second Just Kids location in Jackson (608 Roseman) and one in Cape Giardeau, as well as a Just Kids World in Cape. A new Just Kids location in Dexter is opening and Harris hopes to buy out an established pre-school in Perryville very soon.

Harris went to the former Cape Business College, getting a one-year degree in accounting. He soon realized sales was his field, though. In fact, he had already made his start. As a senior at Woodland High School, he convinced Kenneth Shrum, a local attorney, to help him get a $3,000 loan to launch Donnie Harris River City Sound System.

"That was the start of going on to bigger and better things," Harris said. "I really owe Kenneth Shrum a lot. He believed in me enough to help me get that loan. I paid it back in six months."

Harris credits his mother reading him the classic children's story "The Little Engine That Could" as one of his "greatest inspirations, growing up."

Although he has yet to hit 40, Harris' list of business ventures is already long -- and overwhelmingly successful. From limousine services and video dance clubs, to baseball card/memorabilia shops, to insurance, Harris has proven his ability to sell and to judge markets. He has also been in the business long enough to make some basic observations about human nature.

"There are three kinds of people in the world," Harris said. "One: Those who let it happen. Two: Those who MAKE it happen. Three: Those who sit around and wonder "What happened?".

"I feel with my ideas and energy, I am a make-it-happen type person," Harris said.

The daycare idea came about after a divorce.

"After my divorce and being separated from my children, I got the idea," Harris said. "It gave me the opportunity to see much children much more. That's very important to me.

"In doing research, I found that the most successful operation in Jackson had a waiting list. That told me the opportunity was there."

Harris' first move was to hire Cheri Fortner as director of the first Just Kids location.

"The success of the first location is a tribute to her style, energy and personality," he said. Harris has since named Fortner director of operations of all the Just Kids facilities.

The goal of Just Kids is to "promote education, safety and fun." The three locations currently serve more than 250 children. Close to 500 should be enrolled once the two additional locations are open.

"We don't plan on resting on what we've done," he said. "We want to expand to the Fruitland area, among other possible areas and we're creating a "Just Babies" division."

Harris indicated that a Just Kids clothing line is a possibility, as well as a restaurant/sports bar in Jackson and Cape, and a "sick care" facility, where children too ill to go to school could be cared for, while keeping up with school work -- and without a parent having to miss work, staying home with the child.

From fishing worms to child health care innovations, Harris has displayed a successful knack in finding and providing what the public wants. Should a major boom in fishing suddenly appear likely, there seems little doubt that Harris would once again be at the forefront of the fishing bait business.