4 young London brothers got bored with regular colouring sheets, so created life-sized ones and a business

Brothers Karim, Yusef, Ali and Omar Moustapha got bored with regular-sized colouring sheets, so decided to create their own — life-sized ones that they've even turned into a business.

The London, Ont., brothers, ranging in age from nine to 13, got the idea for Color Me Inc. four years ago after they started making large colouring pages for themselves, family and friends.

Now, they're among those pursuing their entrepreneurial endeavours at the Western Fair District Market, which is open every Saturday and Sunday.

It's not their first public outing as budding professionals.

In 2020, the 100 Kellogg Lane Merry Market had a spare vendor stall for young entrepreneurs due to a no-show. With the help of their parents, who were also vendors there, they launched their business.    

"We really liked it there," Yusef said. "We got a lot of positive feedback, so we decided to come and pitch our business here at the Western Fair District Market and now we have our business here. This is our main location."

The brothers' massive colouring sheets are on display at their stall on the second floor of the Western Fair District Market, which is open every Saturday and Sunday. The space includes a colouring station where customers can test out a sample image. 

The sheets come in two sizes — 40 by 40 inches (about 101 by 101 cm) and 40 by 60 inches (101 by 152 cm) — and they aren't just for kids.

We don't disagree on much, and it's really easy to agree on stuff and it's just easy to work with each other.- Omar Moustapha, 1 of 4 brothers behind Colour Me Inc. life-sized colouring sheets

"They're actually for all ages," said Omar. "We have different designs for maybe older people, younger people."

The brothers license their artwork from artists online. During the selection process, they choose from a number of images often themed for the time of year, such as Christmas, Eid or Black History Month. 

They say there isn't much debating among them when it comes to the final image selection.

"We usually agree because we kind of have the same tastes in designs, I guess," said Yusef. "There's not really a vote or anything." 

Omar added: "We don't disagree on much, and it's really easy to agree on stuff and it's just easy to work with each other."

Between school, extracurricular activities, and working the market on weekends, the boys don't have much time to relax, except during March Break.

But they have no plans to slow down, and have their sights set on the Kellogg spring market that starts March 24.