millennialentrepreneurs.com

Dec 19

Graham Stephan: The Iced Coffee Hour

Posted by Owen Gasser

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Graham Stephan is 34 years old and is worth roughly 23 million dollars but has made his money by being frugal. Stephan grew up in California and always has been in the business and social media space. He started by selling houses after high school. This allowed him to eventually save up enough money to own his own investment properties and start to grow his net worth. He would post on YouTube and instagram about how he was building his net worth and would give financial commentary and advice, as well as information on the real estate industry. He would always discuss how it was best to live a simple and frugal lifestyle and grow your money while you are young.

One of the trademarks of his personal brand that he developed was his iced coffee. He would talk about how spending $5-10 on an iced coffee is ridiculous and would show people all the time how he makes his coffee at home for less than a dollar. This habit allowed him to build a personal brand and give his podcast a name.

The Iced Coffee hour is a podcast that Graham started in 2020. He has on different entrepreneurs, influencers, and investors. So much of his podcast goes over how his guests made their money, and how they spend it. He is able to get advice for his audience and give them so much information on how to be financially secure. The podcast posts weekly and has exploded in popularity over the past few years. Stephan also has multiple sponsors for his episodes, which allows him to bring in lots of revenue for the show.

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Dec 19

Ed Bolian: Vinwiki

Posted by Owen Gasser

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Ed Bolian has always had an obsession with cars and a knack for business. As a high schooler, he had an albino iguana breeding business that turned his love for reptiles into an entrepreneurial venture. Although it didn’t end up being the thing that brought him all of his success, he was able to pretend that it was more successful than it was and get into different exotic car dealerships and convince salespeople to let him drive different exotic cars like Lamborghinis and Ferraris. In college, Bolian started an exotic car rental company. The company would loan out super cars to various clients throughout Atlanta, sometimes including rappers, and Bolian was able to have a fleet of amazing cars of his own at a young age. The company was not extremely successful due to how a significant repair on one of the vehicles could lead to all of the profits being eaten up.

Next, Ed worked as a Lamborghini salesman. This gave him lots of exposure to supercar owners, and allowed him to work within that industry after closing his rental business. Throughout his time selling Lamborghinis, he was able to learn all about how automotive sales worked, as well as tracking down specific versions of cars to meet clients needs.

Possibly Ed’s greatest story in the car community is his cannonball run. The Cannonball Run is a drive that is based on the 1980’s movie. It starts at the red ball garage in New York City and ends at the Portofino Inn in California. People will modify their cars to drive through the night across the country to try and beat this record. Bolian was able to beat the record in 2013 in a 2004 Mercedes S55 AMG with a time of 28 hours and 50 minutes.

With all of this automotive experience, Bolian noticed how difficult it was to find and track information about a car. There was carfax, but you would need to pay to learn about a vehicle and it was not crowd sourced. VinWiki allowed people to post about their own cars, and have other people comment on them. This gave each car more of a story, and could lead to more detail for people who are looking to buy the car instead of just a small amount of information that you would get from a carfax report. To help with marketing, Ed created a youtube channel to go with Vinwiki. Other people would come on the channel and talk about different experiences and stories they have had with their cars. The channel grew to two million subscribers and has helped the business grow substantially too.

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Dec 19

Rachel Zietz

Posted by mcbridesr24

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Do you have a sport that you love-maybe even one you play? Could you imagine starting a business centered around your sport? Think of how fun that could be. Well, Rachel Zietz did not just think about it-she did it! Zietz was just fifteen years old when she started her business, Gladiator Lacrosse, “which aims to sell higher-quality, lower-cost equipment than competitors.”

Zietz has been playing lacrosse since she was in fourth grade and has noticed problems with lacrosse equipment. Some of her equipment at home would rust or tear easily, and she had a lot of broken equipment that she had to replace. Because of the issues Zietz was noticing, she launched her business when she was in middle school. She sold rebounders and goals that were built to last for multiple years. She had an online store and launched her products at some retail stores.

After earning one million dollars in revenue in one certain year, Gladiator Lacrosse earned recognition from Governor Rick Scott, who later honored her with Florida’s Young Entrepreneur Award.

Meet Rachel Zietz, A 15-Year-Old Boca Entrepreneur Who Runs Her Own Lacrosse Gear Company

Meet Rachel Zietz, A 15-Year-Old Boca Entrepreneur Who Runs Her Own Lacrosse Gear Company – Fort Lauderdale Illustrated

Zietz has done a good job of finding a problem and seeing it as a unique opportunity. She was able to create a great value proposition and convince customers of her products’ worth. In fact, Zietz and her business far exceeded her expectations. She had set the goal of selling 500 units total, but instead got to be selling at least 500 units a month! She pivoted from her original expectations of selling a certain amount to making Gladiator Lacross “the brand everyone is using.”

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Dec 19

Mia Monzidelis

Posted by ukichjr23

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Mia Monzidelis thought outside the box when it came to innovation and design. She always wanted her own horse as a child, but growing up in a highly suburbanized area she never had the ability to experience the joy of riding and having a horse of her own. She also knew that she was not the only girl her age who had this dream. Thus, she created Power Pony, which is a mechanical pony or unicorn made up of fury material and mechanisms that allow one to interact with the toy through an iOS app. This little pony can travel around a house with a child riding in the saddle. It creates an unreal experience similar to that of riding an actual pony. Mia’s idea once put into the making, took off and literally rode into the sunset. During the Christmas of 2021 she sold 5000 units! Now her company has expanded to multiple employees and a couple volunteers. Starting with

only a determined and persistent desire, Mia created a business that has happily impacted thousands around the US.

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Dec 19

Lily Born, Imagaroo.com

Posted by ukichjr23

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Do you hate spilling your cup of coffee, or cleaning up a spill from someone else? Well Lily Born made a cup that allows you to no longer worry about spillage. Her incredible cup design has three legs and is near impossible to tip over. She invented this when she too realized her hatred of cleaning up constantly. At the age of 12 she invented this cup for her grandfather who had Parkinson’s disease. He always had a hard time not tipping over the cup he was drinking out of. However, this design did not just help her grandpa and others who suffered from Parkinsons, but this cup exceeded in the children’s market as well. The Kangaroo cup provided a way for parents and care providers to finally not have to worry about silly stains and spills. Lily originally drew this design and then had her dad make a model which they then used to manufacture ceramic cups to sell worldwide. Now Lily travels the world to speak and empower those of her generation to not limit their potential but seek to be the new business leaders of today.

Lily Born of Imagiroo with her Kangaroo Cups

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Dec 18

Rachel Zietz

Posted by Colsen Sigler

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Rachel Zietz, 13, was frustrated by the market’s lack of durable and affordable lacrosse equipment. A passionate lacrosse player, she often struggled with gear that couldn’t keep up with her rigorous practice schedule. Rather than settle for subpar products, Rachel solved the problem herself. This decision marked the beginning of Gladiator Lacrosse, a company she founded to provide high-quality training equipment at prices young athletes and their families could afford.

The idea for Gladiator Lacrosse was born from Rachel’s experiences as an athlete. She recognized that many players like her needed reliable and reasonably priced equipment to improve their skills outside of team prices. Determined to fill this gap, she entered the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, where she developed a comprehensive business plan and pitched her idea to investors. The pitch was successful, earning her the funding to bring her vision to life. Rachel dove into designing her first product, a rebounder for practicing passing and shooting. After rigorous testing to ensure durability and performance, she launched her product to enthusiastic reviews.

From the start, Rachel’s approach set her apart. She focused on creating products that combined quality and affordability, a balance often missing in the sports equipment market. Her deep understanding of players’ needs gave her a unique perspective that resonated with her target audience. Parents appreciated the durability of her products, while young athletes valued their effectiveness in improving performance. This combination quickly made Gladiator Lacrosse a standout brand.

Rachel’s entrepreneurial journey showcases the importance of identifying an apparent problem and offering a well-thought-out solution. A significant factor in her success was her ability to connect with her audience and deliver products that directly addressed their needs. Equally impressive was her determination to learn about manufacturing, logistics, and marketing, skills she developed while still in school.

Sustaining Gladiator Lacrosse’s growth has required Rachel to innovate continuously. She expanded her product line to include lacrosse goals, nets, and other accessories while maintaining the same high standards of quality that built her reputation. By embracing social media and community engagement, she cultivated a loyal customer base that shares her passion for the sport.

Rachel Zietz’s story is one of determination, creativity, and resilience. She turned a personal frustration into a thriving business that has made a meaningful impact on the lacrosse community. Her success proves that the right mindset and effort can transform challenges into opportunities, inspiring others to follow their passions and create change even at a young age.

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Dec 18

Mikaila Ulmer

Posted by Colsen Sigler

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At just 11 years old, Mikaila Ulmer transformed a childhood curiosity into a thriving business with a mission. As the founder of Me & the Bees Lemonade, Mikaila created a company that combines a delicious product with a meaningful purpose. Her lemonade, made from her great-grandmother’s flaxseed recipe, isn’t just a refreshing drink—it’s part of a more significant effort to save bees, a species critical to the environment.

The idea for Me & the Bees Lemonade began when Mikaila, living in Texas, was stung by two bees in one week. Instead of fearing them, she grew curious and started researching bees, learning about their importance to the environment and the alarming threats they faced. Around the same time, her great-grandmother sent her a flaxseed lemonade recipe. Mikaila combined her love for the environment with her entrepreneurial spirit, creating a lemonade to help fund bee conservation efforts. She started selling her lemonade at a stand and quickly caught the attention of her community.

Her business proliferated. After pitching her idea on Shark Tank, Mikaila secured an investment that helped her scale production. Soon, her lemonade was sold at major retailers like Whole Foods and Target. Each bottle carried her personal story and a message about the importance of protecting pollinators, resonating deeply with customers who shared her values. By tying her product to a purpose, Mikaila built a loyal customer base that supported her lemonade and her mission.

Several entrepreneurial principles contributed to Mikaila’s success. She identified a niche market that valued sustainability and offered a unique product that stood out in a crowded market. She also told a compelling story, using her age and passion to connect with customers and investors. Effective branding, including playful packaging and personal advocacy, reinforced her image as a young, impactful entrepreneur.

Mikaila has sustained her success by remaining true to her mission. As her business expanded, she introduced new flavors and donated profits to bee conservation. Her story has inspired young entrepreneurs worldwide, showing that passion and purpose make success possible. Mikaila Ulmer proves that even at a young age, creating a business that makes a difference is possible.

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Dec 18

Ben Pasternak

Posted by Colsen Sigler

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At just 15 years old, Ben Pasternak, an Australian teenager, made headlines as one of the youngest entrepreneurs to enter Silicon Valley. His journey began with a simple but powerful passion for technology, ultimately leading to the creation of Flogg and Monkey, two apps that quickly gained popularity among Gen Z users. Pasternak’s story shows how innovation, adaptability, and strategic thinking can lead to entrepreneurial success, even at a young age.

Flogg was Pasternak’s first major venture, an app designed to help teens buy and sell used items in a seamless and fun way. Unlike traditional online marketplaces, Flogg combined social media-like interfaces with peer-to-peer commerce, making the experience more intuitive and relatable for its young audience. Building on the success of Flogg, Pasternak then launched Monkey, a video-chat app that allowed teens to connect in a safe, engaging environment. With its real-time interactions and straightforward design, Monkey resonated deeply with its users, further solidifying Pasternak’s reputation as a tech innovator.

The path to creating these apps was both challenging and unconventional. While still attending high school in Sydney, Pasternak began brainstorming app ideas during class, using his free time to code and refine his concepts. His natural curiosity and technical skills set him apart from his peers, and he soon caught the attention of local startup competitions. These events gave him early recognition and, more importantly, access to a network of mentors and investors. Encouraged by his initial success, Pasternak took a bold step: moving to Silicon Valley to attend a startup accelerator program. Immersed in the fast-paced world of tech entrepreneurship, he honed his skills and developed the strategic mindset to turn his ideas into successful businesses.

Pasternak’s success can largely be attributed to his deep understanding of his target audience, willingness to take risks, and ability to build a strong network. As a teenager, he had a firsthand understanding of Gen Z users’ digital habits and preferences. This insight allowed him to design apps that not only solved practical problems but also aligned with the interests and behaviors of his audience. His marketing strategies were equally effective, relying on organic growth through social media and word-of-mouth campaigns rather than expensive advertising. This approach helped his apps gain traction quickly, even with limited resources.

Several key entrepreneurial principles are at the core of Pasternak’s journey. First, he was adept at identifying and designing products to address unmet market needs. His iterative approach to innovation ensured that his apps remained relevant and user-friendly as they evolved. Pasternak also understood the value of mentorship and collaboration, leveraging the expertise of experienced professionals in Silicon Valley to overcome challenges and scale his businesses. Finally, his willingness to take calculated risks, such as leaving school to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams, played a crucial role in his success.

Sustaining his success has required Pasternak to adapt and explore new opportunities continuously. After the initial achievements of Flogg and Monkey, he shifted his focus to other ventures, including consumer goods and social media projects. By staying attuned to market trends and leveraging his growing reputation, Pasternak has remained relevant in the ever-changing tech industry. His story has also inspired other young entrepreneurs, further amplifying his impact on the startup world.

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Dec 18

Gabby Goodwin : Gabby’s Bows

Posted by LodicoSG23

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13-Year-Old Gabby Goodwin Made Six Figures With GaBBY Bows When she was 7 years old, Gabby Goodwin had a BIG problem, her hair bows wouldn’t stay in. Frustrated by constantly losing her clips, Gabby and her mom developed the “Double-Faced Double Snap Barrette”. What started small, slowly grew, and Gabby eventually became CEO of her company. Now, this company includes so much more than just bows for young girls, it also includes a line of plant-based hair care like shampoos and creams. What was once just the simple frustrations of a child, grew into a prosperous and motivating organization.

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Dec 18

Mikaila Ulmer : Me & The Bees Lemonade

Posted by LodicoSG23

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When Mikaila Ulmer was just 4 years old, she had a lemonade stand as a lot of kids do, but she stuck with it. A lemonade stand is something so basic, yet things like that aren’t often considered. What makes her product different is that every purchase of Me & the Bees lemonade is donated to help protect the honeybees. The brands positioning is what makes it so special. A focus on community, and protecting the environment appeals to a lot of people because there’s now engagement and an emotional connection to a purchase. It is inspiring, also, to see a community who recognizes a good idea, and helps to build this wonderful company.

With people who were willing to support her and a product with a purpose, now about 15 years down the line, Mikaila Ulmer is donating 10% of annual profits back to the environment. This goes to prove that even young people can find a purpose and inspire change.

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