By Genoa Barrow | OBSERVER SENIOR STAFF WRITER

While she was pregnant, Elsie Witherspoon had a car accident and could have lost her unborn child. Upon later giving birth to a healthy baby, she called the newborn her "miracle child."

Eight-year-old Briana Nicole Witherspoon has "designs" on college, operating two businesses to raise money.

"She's just a blessing," Witherspoon said of her daughter Briana Nicole Witherspoon, now 8 years old.

Briana Nicole isn't your typical third grader. The Elk Grove youngster sings, writes music and operates not one, but two businesses.

"It's something I do to keep busy," the articulate entrepreneur said.

Using her nickname, Briana Nicole operates "Breezy" Designs and "Breezy" Hands & Feet. Yes, she does toes. Manicure and pedicure clientele are treated to snacks, juice, magazines and music while they're being worked on. Known for giving back rubs that relax people to the point where they fall asleep, Briana Nicole has been asked to add massage to her repertoire.

Her designs were featured during a show last summer at her church, Sacramento's Capitol City Seventh Day Adventist Church.

"In two hours I sold $250 worth of (items)," she said.

Not bad for a beginner. Briana Nicole only started sewing last year "when she was little."

"I can see something once and learn it," she shared.

With an eye for detail, Briana Nicole creates capri pant sets, baby pillows, quilts, jewelry and fashionable scarves. Her one-of-a-kind fabric creations feature her "trademark," a single button sewn into each scarf. Her quilts come with a tag stating how old she was when she made them.

Briana Nicole says she's saving the money she makes to pay for her college education.

"That's usually the parents' responsibility, but she said 'you've already done so much for me,'" Elsie said. "She's a thinker. She's mature for her age."

Briana Nicole is home-schooled by her mother, using a curriculum set by the Elk Grove School District.

After I had her, it was difficult going back to work. I gave up my career to provide her with all that I felt she needed, spiritually and academically," said Elsie, who owns and operates Precious Gifts Day Care Center in Elk Grove.

The decision, she adds, has paid off ten-fold.

Briana Nicole's writing, including the story of her mother's prenatal fender-bender, has garnered her a number of top awards in local contests. She's also earned medals as a student at Robinson's Taekwondo in Elk Grove, attends John Robert Powers acting school, takes piano lessons, and is the only young person in an adult sign language choir at her church. Briana Nicole's first exposure to choirs came at age 2 when she directed an adult mass choir.

With a gospel CD of her own in the works and offers for television work, Briana Nicole's future is bright. Even better, her mother said, she keeps it all in perspective.

"With everything that she has going on, she still has time to be a child and she is very humble," her mother said. "As long as she stays on top of her academics, I'll support what she's doing."