AMERICUS — Cousins Mary Nell Rush, 8, and Hannah Teasley, 9, started their own business “Cute Cuzins” about five weeks ago.

Cute Cuzins mostly sells “Webkinz,” plush pets that each come with a unique secret code. With it, the child enters Webkinz World where he or she cares for the virtual pet, answer trivia questions, earn KinzCash and play kid games on the net.

Rush and Teasley, who are fourth and fifth graders at Southland Academy, said Webkinz are very popular among their classmates, and they suspect the popularity is profound among children their age across the country.

The two operate their business from an area inside of Decorating Unlimited, 1211 Crawford St., and they are hands-on entrepreneurs. They are involved in every aspect of their business, from ordering inventory to waiting on customers.

Rush said Webkinz might seem like a toy and game that is traditionally for girls, but there are Webkinz plush animals that boys might find enjoyable as well.

Rush said she and her cousin recently made the decision to also incorporate animals that boys might enjoy. Teasley said they ask each customer of Cute Cuzins would they like to provide their contact information so Cute Cuzins can send them a thank you card for being so supportive.

Cute Cuzins has it own business cards, and the store plans to host Webkinz parties in the future. Cute Cuzins also sells other items like beach baskets and fashionable luggage pieces.

Teasley and Rush said their classmates at Southland have responded very positively to their business venture and some have even inquired, if they were hiring. “Unfortunately, we are not doing any hiring at this moment,” said Rush.

Sheryl Rush, the mother of Mary Nell Rush, said Friday that she hopes the business teaches the two girls about teamwork and entrepreneurialship. The cousins’ grandmother, Nell Purvis, owns Decorating Unlimited, and they said they might help run Decorating Unlimited after they finish college.

Teasley’s father Keith also works at Decorating Unlimited.

Both Rush and Teasley are pageant winners, softball players and competitive cheerleaders. Call (229) 924-6669 for more information about Cute Cuzins.