From a young age, Maya Penn has had a passion for fashion. After consulting her mother about her plans of creating a sustainable fashion collection, her mother’s response was in part what drove her to pursue her passion. “Figure out how to do that and what you need to accomplish that goal.” says Maya’s mother – and so, her journey began.

At the age of ten, Penn began crafting innovative clothing – ultimately teaching herself HTML and making her own website to sell her apparel. Today her Atlanta-based fashion line, Maya’s Ideas, has 10 employees, and customers around the world. “That first sale was so crazy to me, and still is,” Penn says. “It’s an honor when people like what you create. It keeps me moving forward.”

While Maya still has a passion for fashion, she has found interest in other things, too. Including a nonprofit, Maya’s Ideas 4 the Planet, which distributes eco-friendly sanitary products to women in developing countries. Maya has also joined the fight to get a national women’s history museum built in Washington, D.C., creating an animated short that was presented to congress. After that, she launched an animation studio, has given three ted talks, and is currently working on her second book.

“I’m always pushing myself to do more, but that can take a lot out of you, especially when you’re still trying to figure out who you are,” she says. “You have to find ways to calm yourself. Take a walk. Read a book. Stay grounded. Taking care of yourself makes you a better entrepreneur.”

Maya Penn is a role model for many entrepreneurs. She has been the catalyst for social change around the world and continues to prove that through hard work comes success.