Archive for Millennial Enrepreneuers

Kiki Hardee: School Lunches

10 Successful Young Entrepreneurs (investopedia.com)

Kiki Hardee saw the need that her classmates and fellow students had regarding school lunches. She began selling baked goods in order to raise money for those that needed school lunches. She did not want anyone going hungry and set out to help pay for the lunch debt that the school had. She furthered this simple, but impactful fundraiser, into “Kiki’s Kindness Project” where she has done even more fundraisers. She began this business when she was only 5 years old. Her business story is very inspiring to me because you can tell that she truly cares. Not a lot of younger kids, especially at 5 years old, are too concerned with other needs. Usually, kids at that age are still learning how to share. Her confidence and boldness in initiating fundraisers to combat this problem is inspirational for even adults. Most adults even struggle with only focusing on themselves, their families, and their needs. She teaches us all to help our neighbors and to truly love them and care for them with action, not just words. Her business is unique to most out there because of her pure and true kindness that is shown through it.

Kamaria Warren: Inclusive Party Supplies

10 Successful Young Entrepreneurs (investopedia.com)

Kamaria Warren was like any other kid when she went shopping for party supplies, such as innovations, for her birthday party. Yet, she realized that there was a big issue when she was shopping. There was not a lot of representation for black and brown children on the designs on the various party supplies. She now has multiple employees in her business and various products that she has developed and sold. She becomes motivated and inspired by seeing how her products positively affect other girls like her. She teaches me that even though no one has done something yet, or no one has addressed an issue yet, does not mean that you can’t. Her unique take on inclusivity and seeing it in a unique, but important area shows how each person has an important perspective. Her perspective may have been overlooked by many, but once fixed it has changed the game for many children just wanting simple inclusive party supplies. She inspires me to always see how I can improve things and to consider how small things to me, could mean the world to others. While her business creates profit, she gives back by creating priceless value of joy when kids like her use her products and feel included.

Hart Main: Scented Candles

10 Successful Young Entrepreneurs (investopedia.com)

What started out as a joke with his sister about girly candle scents, turned into an idea, and thus a business out of it. Hart Main had the unique idea of making “ManCans” that are candles with more manly scents. His business has since grown and creates a lot of profit. Hart also gives back to his community by donating some of this big profit to soup kitchens. What may seem like a simple idea to others, became a reality to Hart and created a very popular business that sells candles in every state. He was impressively able to reach more people than just in his immediate area. With some help from his parents, he was able to create a business that creates value to those looking for candles with unique “man” scents and give back to those in need. He is not a selfish business owner and seems very humble with the successful business that he has created. This is inspirational because not every successful business owner is like this, and it is hard to teach humility. His parents did a great job at encouraging him while teaching him the importance of giving back. He is unlike other candle businesses out there because he has a good, simple story behind the business and has innovated many ways on how to equally grow the business and help society.

Vinusha MK: Baking

This 10-year-old chef-entrepreneur wants to be No. 1 in the desserts business (yourstory.com)

With understanding her interest in baking at just 9 years old after simply baking a cake, Vinusha MK had an ambition to flourish her new hobby and share it with others in some way. As her parents took her to events that inspired her mind, she eventually created the business “Four Seasons Pastry”. With baking items, each inspired by the four seasons, she created a business unlike many baking businesses. Not only did she create a business, but she had a very impressive and educational internship. During covid she even saw an opportunity to create baking kits. With mentors like her mother and professional bakers. She is inspiring because she is very ambitious and determined at a young age. From her story, I’ve learned that people in your life and their encouragements and inspiration greatly impact how your ambition and belief in yourself is. Her parents raised her to be confident and a goal getter and that is exactly how she turned out. Her goal is to be a #1 business in baking and set herself apart from the competition, with such big goals at such a young age, it reminds us to never give up. It also reminds us that no goal is ever too big.

Mikey Wren: Vending Machines

Meet Mikey Wren: 10-year-old business owner and best-selling author | ksdk.com

Mikey Wren is a business owner that started his own business while still in elementary school. He saw a need through his hunger and sweet tooth and created his own vending machine business. With such a simple, kid-like desire, that people never grow out of, he accidentally stumbled upon a business idea that had worth in it. Even though it’s simple, it’s an idea that creates value, especially to him in his life. While creating this business, he had to make small sacrifices along the way, but sacrifices that may seem big to a child his age. These sacrifices included not getting gifts for Christmas one year and instead asking for money toward his business. There were many steps to creating his business, but slowly but surely, he finally did it and started making a profit. Every sacrifice and time put in by him and his parents turned out to be worth it. His determination right after he got the business idea to actually create it, especially at his age, is very unique and inspiring. He had a simple idea in mind where he just wanted to eat his favorite snacks, but he chose to share that simple joy in life with other people and be a role model. He has even written his own book, when he was just 10, where he inspires others to do as he did and follow their passions into a business.

Ryan Hickman: Recycling

Ryan Hickman is a young entrepreneur that is driven by promoting a cause that saves the earth. At just 12 years old, he is a unique boy that saw a need and created a business to meet that need. We all learn about recycling in elementary school and how we should participate it, but he is different minded in the sense that he took initiative and took his care for it to the next level. At only about 3 years old, he knew how important recycling was. His experience with recycling with his dad helped him create his business called “Ryan’s Recycling”. His business, unlike some recycling businesses, is a trustworthy business where you know your bottles are going to actually be recycled. With the attention of even celebrities, he has grown his business and is still going strong. He has even created his own non-profit. What started as a motivation for money from recycling since he was 3, ended up as a redeeming business that has recycled about 1.6 million cans and bottles. Ryan inspires me in the sense that he had a hobby and a cause he cared about and grew it. It makes me realize that even a small thing that I care about could possibly be a business or organization that I can use to impact the world. Childhood hobbies and interests are not wasted or random, but they are glimpses of the possibilities that you can do at any point in your life. With a simple elementary idea like recycling, Ryan has been able to make a business that is unlike any other one and will impact the world for generations.

Ryan’s Recycling Has Recycled 1.6 Million Bottles, With 12-Year-Old CEO (greenmatters.com)

Kevin Plank

undefinedYou might not know who Kevin Plank is, but at a place like Grove City College, his business is literally all around you. Kevin Plank is the creator of Under Armour. Picture this: you’re in the mid-’90s, and you’re a college football player frustrated with how sweaty and uncomfortable your workout gear is. While most of us weren’t even born yet, Plank was on a mission to revolutionize sportswear that we all know and love today. That probably makes you feel old.

Plank came up with Under Armour as the special teams captain of the University of Maryland football team, and for him, his drive is all about innovation. He didn’t just want to create a successful brand; he wanted to completely change the game. His determination to make high-performance, moisture-wicking athletic gear fueled Under Armour’s rise to the top. And as I’m sure you’ve guessed, it worked. Plank’s drive is a reminder that passion and a desire to make things better can be your biggest assets.

Plank’s idea is both simple and genius. Plank saw a gap in the market for gear that would help athletes perform at their best, and be (relatively) comfortable while doing it. Enter Under Armour with its moisture-wicking fabric and compression technology. It’s not just sportswear; it’s a true game-changer for athletes, and that’s what sets Plank’s idea apart. In terms of entrepreneurial traits, Plank’s got determination written all over him. Starting a business is tough, especially when you’re going up against industry giants like Nike and adidas. But Plank didn’t back down; he pushed through initial financial struggles and production setbacks. That kind of resilience is something any athlete can relate to.Who designed Under Armour's logo? - Quora

But we see now Plank isn’t focused only on sportswear; he’s all about adapting and staying ahead. His partnerships with athletes and ventures into digital fitness tech show that being an entrepreneur means keeping an eye on trends and thinking outside the box. We see this with the Under Armour MapMyFitness apps that track a wide variety of activities, from running to pickleball.

Learning from Plank isn’t just about business; it’s a life lesson. The importance of pushing boundaries, facing challenges head-on, and fostering a culture of innovation are principles that resonate with me, as myself and my peers navigate a world that sometimes feels as uncertain as our post-grad plans. As we close out the semester with last-minute assignments, late-night study sessions in preparation for finals, and dreams of the future, Kevin Plank’s story is a reminder that success isn’t just about a degree or a job. It’s about daring to dream, being relentless in your pursuits, and, most importantly, staying true to your vision. Some of us could probably take a page from Kevin Plank’s playbook as we navigate the exciting, unpredictable journey that is life. 🙂

Moziah Bridges-Mo’s Bows

Moziah Bridges loved to dress to his best even at nine years old. Now he believes that a well-dressed man says a lot about them. At nine years old Moziah wanted to make his own fashion company with help from his grandma he moved how to sow his first bowtie. After a while of perfecting his craft, his company started to catch wind after an appearance on Shark Tank. In the six years since creation Mo’s Bows surged in popularity. Moziah even signed a deal with the NBA to supply every team with bow ties. His mother is his business manager that helps him every step of the way. Moziah is very frugal with his money, and often donates to numerous charities. He broke the mold for fashion designers as being a 15-year-old kid and continues to grow his brand up with the greats like Neiman Marcus.  Mo’s Bows: Meet Moziah Bridges, the teenage king of bow ties who just inked an NBA deal – CBS News

Ryan Hickman-Founder of Ryan’s Recycling

Ryan Hickman fell in love with recycling at just 3 and a half years old when his father took him. He wanted to continue to do it, and eventually created his own company called “Ryan’s Recycling.” He spends most weekends as CEO of the company with his father picking up materials needed to be recycled from residents and taking them to the recycling centers. He has collected over 1.6 million bottles and cans since being in business.  All of the money earned from this recycling company is going towards his recycling fund, but he plans to have this business as a career long after his college graduation. Apart from the commercial enterprise Ryan has started a nonprofit called “Project 3r.”He uses from donations to promote beach cleanups and environmental education. Ryan also makes hats and t-shirts that the profits go to the Pacific Marine Mammal center. Through his company he has promoted environmental efforts that even got attention from Ellen DeGeneres and Jennifer Aniston. This young entrepreneur has clearly made a large impact on his community and environment by doing what he loves.  Ryan’s Recycling Has Recycled 1.6 Million Bottles, With 12-Year-Old CEO (greenmatters.com)

Fraser Doherty- Creator of SuperJam

At fifteen-years-old Fraser Doherty loved to cook jam from one of his grandmother’s old recipes. He began to sell local to neighbors and such. His infant company soon began to grow too large for neighbors, and Fraser set his sights on bigger objectives. He borrowed his father’s suit, and he set his mission to pitching his idea to a well-known supermarket in his local area. They rejected Fraser, but that did not kill his spirit. He took improved upon their critiques, and searched his country for a factory that would take a chance on him. All but one said no. Fraser came back the next year with all of his improvements, and he got the deal to distribute his product across all the supermarket’s stores. His company blew up from there. He quickly increased his production to over 20,000 units of jelly. Everyone can take note of his dedication and persistence to never give up on his entrepreneurial goals. The Story of SuperJam: How Fraser Doherty Built a Multimillion-Dollar Jelly Empire (web.com)