Everyone has heard the infamous question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?" The responses at that age were probably: “I want to be a ballerina” or “I want to be a fireman.” Only a minority of young people would be able to achieve their dreams at such a young age and could even answer: “I AM an entrepreneur.”

Victoria Vu Duc (Vic & Co Cuisine Viêt)

At only 13 years old, Victoria was able to make her dreams come true by opening a restaurant in Aylmer called: Vic & Co Cuisine Viêt. This establishment offers a variety of dishes and beverages highlighting her Vietnamese culture and traditions.

Victoria began her journey during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdowns. While many other companies had to close their doors during the pandemic, Victoria’s restaurant opened theirs to the public in April of 2021. During the Covid-19 lockdowns, Victoria would spend her free time cooking meals that she would later share with her community to try and bring a smile to people’s faces. She went on to ask why not create something long-term which incorporated her passion for the community, her cooking skills, and her respect for her culture? Then, with effort, motivation, and support from her loved ones, she was able to accomplish what many adults can only dream about: opening her own business.

Five years later, she continues to run her company, and with hard work and support from her family and friends, Victoria manages to balance her professional, social, academic, and personal life.

Mikaila Ulmer (Me & the Bees Lemonade)

Mikaila is a young girl who started her business journey at the age of five years old when she presented her lemonade which she prepared with inspiration from a recipe her great grandmother had, at the Austin Lemonade Day and Acton Children’s Business Fair in Austin, Texas. The lemonade’s rich flavour obtained from a combination of the original recipe and honey purchased from local beekeepers was so appreciated by the public that it would take no time for the first batch to sell out.

Me & Bees Lemonade would go on to have local pizza shops kindly asked her to supply her lemonade to them, marking the start of her bottled lemonade endeavours. Mikaila would even go on to appear on Shark Tank, where she obtained a $60,000 investment. In 2020, her lemonade is sold in more than 1,500 stores across the United States.

As Mikaila grows her Me & Bees Lemonade empire, she continues to be a prominent figure in the conservation and protection of bees, as she donates 10% of her proceeds to charities that help saving the bees. With the support of her parents, she even created her own non-profit foundation: Healthy Hive Foundation with the same goal.

Moziah Bridges (Mo’s Bows)

Moziah Bridges, is the founder of Mo's Bows, a company which designs and manufactures bowties. While Moziah was 9 years old, he was unhappy with the poor range of accessories that would reflect his personality while looking classic and professional. Unsatisfied with the lack of choices- Moziah decided to create his own bowties.

The idea quickly gained local public notoriety and eventually caught the attention of the media. The young boy even appeared on television shows such as: CBS This Morning, the Disney Channel, The Steve Harvey Show. After Moriah's appearances on Shark tank he was not able to secure an investment deal, however was able to get the mentorship of Daymond John. Moziah was even able to secure a partnership with big organizations such as the NBA and sell his products in retailers like Neiman Marcus.

Today, at 18 years old, Moziah is still running his company and building success. Now, Mo's Bows are available in stores such as Cole Haan, with a product line which offers a wider selection such as ties, neck ties, face masks, without forgetting their classic handmade bowties.

Hart Main (ManCans)

What started as a way to earn money for a new bike quickly developed into a company generating a profit. At only 13 years old, Hart decided to create a line of candles with some more “manly” scents that he sold in soup cans. These scents include cigars, bacon, sawdust, fresh-cut grass, new baseball mitts and even dirt.

Initially, Hart was planning on simply generate $1,200 for a bike, went on to be $200,000 in profit. The unexpected popularity of his product allowed growth in sales and to go on to be sold in 150 different stores.

ManCans also seeks to offer opportunities to those in need, as it employs people with developmental disabilities to make their candles. Hart also continues to give back to the community as he has donated over 100 000 cans of soup to those in need and pledged $35,000 to soup kitchens in the United States.

Lily Born (Kangaroo Cup)

Lily Born, is the creator of an innovative product which was originally made to help her grandfather. At 9 years old, Lily observed her grandfather's Parkinson’s disease, noticing that the regular cups were difficult for him to use, not offering a sufficient level of stability leading to spills.

To help him, she proceeded to create an interesting innovative design in ceramics, a cup that is a lot more stable, featuring a number of legs which improved balance and also acted as handles for the user. Upon presenting the idea to her Grandfather, they both agreed in the potential for a company centred around Lily's cups. With the help of Kickstarter and Indiegogo, she was able to raise more than $25 000 to found Kangaroo Cup.

Today, Kangaroo cup seeks to continue its benefit to those who suffer medical issues making basic tasks like using a cup a challenge, while also being a company committed to corporate social responsibility as it moves to add sustainable plastics along with their plastic cups.

These young entrepreneurs prove that age should not be barrier to success when passion, creativity, and determination are at the helm of one's drive. Their stories highlight the power of resilience and innovation in overcoming challenges, to realize one's goals while also seeking to better their communities.

Works cited.

Fox, L., & Fox, L. (2023, February 28). Young and ambitious Victoria Vu Duc is in the business of giving. Glue Magazine. https://glueottawa.com/2023/02/28/young-and-ambitious-victoria-vu-duc-is-in-the-business-of-giving/ 

Radio-Canada. (2020, July 24). Vic & Co: Treize ans et l’entrepreneuriat dans le sang. Radio-Canada. https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1722082/cuisine-vietnamienne-entrepreneure-13-ans-aylmer-gatineau-vic-et-co-restaurant-victoria-vu-duc

Wikipedia contributors. (2025, January 30). Mikaila Ulmer. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikaila_Ulmer

Me & the Bees Lemonade. (n.d.). About new. Me & the Bees Lemonade. https://www.meandthebees.com/pages/about-us

Moziah Bridges - Shark Tank - founder of Mo’s Bows. (n.d.). Natfluence. https://natfluence.com/interview/moziah-bridges/

Drake, D. (2024, February 20). MaNCANs founder Hart Main is well prepared for college life - Wharton Global Youth Program. Wharton Global Youth Program. https://globalyouth.wharton.upenn.edu/articles/college-careers-jobs/hart-main-is-prepared-for-college-life/

About — Beaver Creek Candle Company. (n.d.). Beaver Creek Candle Company. https://bccandle.com/about

Meet the 11-year-old inventor of an “unbreakable”, “unspillable” cup for people living with Parkinson’s | CBC Radio. (2014, June 9). CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/monday-nigerian-students-return-helicopter-prison-escape-quail-hatch-and-more-1.2903533/meet-the-11-year-old-inventor-of-an-unbreakable-unspillable-cup-for-people-living-with-parkinson-s-1.2903534

The story — Imagiroo. (n.d.). Imagiroo. http://www.imagiroo.com/about