5 Business Success Stories Showing What Young Women Are Capable Of
If you've got a great idea, there's no reason to wait to put it into action. Each of these businesses features an inspiring story of young minds not letting age get in their way as they pursue the worlds of food, game development, and media. If you've got ambition but don't know where to start, these young superstars can be your guide. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
5 Inspiring Business Ventures with Young Women Front and Center
| Name | Featured Products |
|---|---|
| ZolliCandy | Zollipops, Zolli Drops, and Zaffi Taffy, healthy, natural, sugar-free, vegan, tooth-friendly candy |
| Da Bomb Bath Fizzers | Bath bombs, shots, salts, jars, gift sets, and a book that teaches readers how to make natural, homemade bath treats |
| Me & the Bees | Lemonade in flavors like mint, ginger, prickly pear, and iced tea |
| Girls Make Games | Games created by participants include Find Me, Blub Blub: Quest of the Blob, Interfectorem, and The Hole Story |
| Life Unfiltered with Alexa Curtis | Hoodies, T-shirts, and Stickers that coincide with the popular blog and podcast |
The Whirlwind Tale of ZolliCandy CEO Alina Morse
U.S. Small Business Statistics
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, as of 2018
- There are 30.2 million small businesses in the United States
- These make up 99.9% of all U.S. businesses
- They employ 58.9 million people
- These make up 47.5% of all U.S. employees
- Of the 294,834 U.S. companies that exported goods in 2015, 97.6% were small firms
How to Make a Face Mask with the Da Bomb Bath Fizzers Team
Percentage Of Women In The Workforce
The percentage of men & women in the civilian labor force over time, according to the U.S. Department of Labor
| Year | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 29.6% | 70.4% |
| 1960 | 33.4% | 66.6% |
| 1970 | 38.1% | 61.9% |
| 1980 | 42.5% | 57.5% |
| 1990 | 45.2% | 54.8% |
| 2000 | 46.5% | 53.5% |
| 2010 | 46.7% | 53.3% |
In Depth
While you can never be too old to fulfill a dream, you can also never be too young, particularly when it comes to entrepreneurship. From teenagers to preschoolers, myriad companies across the globe are being helmed by enterprising female CEOs who aren't letting age stand in the way of their success. In no particular order, here are five ventures where young women are able to shine.
Coming in at #1 is ZolliCandy, which features vegan, natural, sugar-free candy. Founded by then seven-year-old Alina Morse, the teeth-friendly sweets are designed to help kids fight cavities. Named by Inc. 5000 as one of the fastest growing private companies in America, it features Zollipops, Zaffi Taffy and Zolli Drops. CEO Morse has been featured on the cover of Entrepreneur, and the company has received media coverage from the TODAY Show and O, The Oprah Magazine.
ZolliCandy supports the Million Smiles Initiative, which works to reduce America's tooth decay epidemic by advocating for oral health education in schools and qualified organizations. It helps engage kids in discussions about science and chemistry, taking care of their bodies, entrepreneurship, and empowerment.
It helps engage kids in discussions about science and chemistry, taking care of their bodies, entrepreneurship, and empowerment.
In the #2 position is Da Bomb Bath Fizzers, a line of bath products that each contain a surprise in the middle. Sisters Caroline and Isabel Bercaw started the company when they were ten and eleven years old, and have expanded it to include Salts, Blasts, and Fizzlets. It also makes products featuring Disney Princesses including Cinderella, Belle, and Jasmine.
The company has received extensive media coverage, including Forbes, The Penny Hoarder, and The View. The sisters have also co-authored a book, Fizz Boom Bath! Learn How to Make Your Own Bath Bombs, Body Scrubs, and More!, a step-by-step guide to creating natural, homemade masks and soaps at home. The company supports The Water Project, which provides clean drinking water to communities in Africa.
At #3 is Me & the Bees Lemonade, a premium ready-to-drink bottled lemonade available in such flavors as Mint, Prickly Pear, and Ginger. Founder and CEO, Mikaila Ulmer, launched the company at the age of four after being stung by a bee twice in one week. After her parents encouraged her to research the insects, she created the product using her grandmother's recipe with all natural ingredients including honey and flaxseed.
Founder and CEO, Mikaila Ulmer, launched the company at the age of four after being stung by a bee twice in one week.
The company has built strategic partnerships with Macy's, and Ulmer has been named one of TIME magazine's 30 Most Influential Teens, and was the youngest panelist on SXSW's BizKidz panel. Additional products include Herbal Beeswax Lip Balms, Plantable Pencils, and Tote Bags. Me & the Bees Lemonade can be found in Whole Foods and Cost Plus World Market.
Filling the #4 spot is Girls Make Games, a series of summer camps and workshops designed to inspire the next generation of designers, creators, and engineers. Co-created by Laila Shabir, the company partners with such corporations as PlayStation, Xbox, and Google Play to teach teens how to design and program video games.
The Girls Make Games Fellowship Program focuses on providing participants with an insider's view of the industry, an opportunity to give back to the community by teaching game dev and mentoring kids, as well as access to unique networking and mentorship opportunities. You can support the organization by purchasing items from its shop, or through individual donations.
You can support the organization by purchasing items from its shop, or through individual donations.
Finishing up the list at #5 is Life Unfiltered with Alexa Curtis. Curtis, a teen influencer, uses her platform to empower teenagers by shining a light on such topics as travel, volunteerism, and entrepreneurship. Her speaking engagements include the Women Empower Expo, Rutgers University, and Spectrum Reach at SXSW.
Curtis hosts a podcast that features interviews with entrepreneurs and CEOs, and covers topics like food, fashion, and health. Among the national media outlets that have featured her are Good Morning America, Rolling Stone, ESPN Radio, and NBC Nightly News. She is also the founder of the Be Fearless Summit, a one day conference designed to inspire confidence in teens through motivational keynote speakers, panels, and workshops.
