Teeth-Cleaning Candy

On a trip to the bank with her dad, 7-year-old Alina Morse was offered a lollipop by the teller. Alina loved candy. But her dad reminded her that candy was full of sugar and bad for her teeth. Alina asked her dad: “Why can’t we make a sucker that’s good for your teeth?” 

Alina, who lives in Michigan, had a notebook of ideas for new inventions. But she was most excited about this one! So, with help from her family, she set out to make candy that kids could eat without harming their teeth.

About two years later, Alina founded Zolli Candy, a company selling sugar-free lollipops that actually protect your teeth! The company has expanded to sell other types of candies—most recently Zolli Peanut Butter Cups. Here’s how Alina, now 16, built her business. 

Alina Morse visited the bank with her dad when she was 7 years old. A bank teller offered her a lollipop. Alina loved candy. But her dad reminded her that candy was full of sugar. That made it bad for her teeth. “Why can’t we make a sucker that’s good for your teeth?” Alina asked her dad.

Alina lives in Michigan. She had a notebook of ideas for new inventions. But she was most excited about this one! So she got help from her family. She set out to make candy that wouldn’t harm kids’ teeth.

Alina founded Zolli Candy about two years later. The company sells sugar-free lollipops. They actually help your teeth! The company sells other types of candies too. It most recently created Zolli Peanut Butter Cups. Alina is now 16. Here’s how she built her business. 

Once Alina had perfected her recipe, she designed the packaging. Then she presented her candy to stores. In 2014, Whole Foods became the first store to sell her candy. Zolli Candy is now found in thousands of stores in the U.S. and around the world.

Alina, who is still in high school, balances running her business with schoolwork and dance. She manages a team of 10 people working on different parts of the business. As her company has grown, Alina has never stopped learning from the people around her. “Asking questions is important,” she says. “I feel like once you stop asking questions, you stop being curious, and you stop growing.”

Over time, Alina perfected her recipe. Then she created the packaging. Finally, she took her candy to stores. Whole Foods became the first store to sell her candy in 2014. Zolli Candy is now carried by thousands of stores in the U.S. and around the world.

Alina is still in high school. She balances running her business with schoolwork and dance. She manages a team of 10 people working in different parts of the business. Her company has grown. But Alina has never stopped learning from those around her. “Asking questions is important,” she says. “I feel like once you stop asking questions, you stop being curious, and you stop growing.”