Ava didn’t start out as the confident entrepreneur she is today. In fact, she used to struggle in school. 

“I was bullied and teased because I couldn’t read,” Ava, now a seventh-grader, recalls. 

She has a condition called dyslexia, which affects how the brain processes language. People with dyslexia can have trouble reading, writing, and doing math.

Ava wasn’t always the confident entrepreneur she is today. She used to struggle in school. 

“I was bullied and teased because I couldn’t read,” Ava recalls. She’s now a seventh-grader. 

Ava has dyslexia. The condition affects how the brain processes language. People with dyslexia can have trouble reading, writing, and doing math.

In 2020, Ava and her mom, Tia, came up with a way to use her fascination with science to help build her skills in school. Ava would write scripts and star in videos explaining how to do simple experiments at home. Her mom would film the videos in their kitchen. That June, Ava posted her first video, a step-by-step guide to making hand sanitizer.

Before long, Ava’s YouTube channel was racking up views. That gave Ava and her mom the idea to turn the channel into a business. 

In 2020, Ava and her mom found a way to use her love of science to help build her skills in school. Ava would write scripts and star in videos. The videos would explain how to do experiments at home. Ava’s mom would film the videos in their kitchen. That June, Ava posted her first video. It was a guide to making hand sanitizer.

Before long, Ava’s YouTube channel was racking up views. Ava and her mom decided to turn the channel into a business.

Ava knew that to succeed, her company needed a strong business plan. So she created a 20-page document that detailed the products she would sell, how much each one would cost, and how she planned to sell them. 

Ava’s first experiment kit had all the materials kids need to power a light bulb with lemons. Ava and her mom found a factory to manufacture it. Next, they set up a website and social media pages to spread the word about her business. 

When orders started to come in, Ava and her dad, Terrence, packed and shipped the products. But as the business grew, Ava needed more space. Eventually, she decided to work with a company in North Carolina that stores, packs, and ships her products across the country.

Ava knew her company needed a strong business plan. So she created a 20-page document. It detailed the products she would sell, how much each one would cost, and how she planned to sell them. 

Ava’s first kit had the materials needed to power a light bulb with lemons. Ava and her mom found a factory to produce it. Next, they set up a website to spread the word about Ava’s business. 

The orders started to come in. At first, Ava and her dad packed and shipped the products. But as the business grew, Ava needed more space. So she decided to work with a company in North Carolina. The company stores, packs, and ships her products across the country.

Meanwhile, Ava looked for ways to reach new customers. In 2024, she partnered with Whole Foods. The supermarket chain wanted to sell Ava’s experiment kits in 400 stores nationwide! The items were so popular, they sold out in just three months. 

Today Ava’s products are available in stores and museums and online. So far, she’s sold more than 50,000 items.

Ava says running her business is a lot of work. She spends about two hours after school each day marketing her products, keeping track of sales, and more. And she’s always trying to come up with new items to sell. 

“I brainstorm products all day,” Ava explains.

As Team Genius Squad has grown, Ava has used what she’s learned to help other kids become entrepreneurs. One of her main tips is to believe in yourself. 

“Never let your challenges define your success or future,” Ava says.

Meanwhile, Ava looked for ways to reach new customers. In 2024, she partnered with Whole Foods. The supermarket chain wanted to sell Ava’s kits in 400 stores across the country! The items sold out in three months. 

Today Ava’s products are in stores and museums and online. So far, she’s sold more than 50,000 items.

Ava says running her business is a lot of work. She spends two hours after school each day marketing her products and keeping track of sales. And she’s always trying to think of new items to sell. 

“I brainstorm products all day,” Ava explains.

As Team Genius Squad has grown, Ava has helped other kids become entrepreneurs. One of her main tips is to believe in yourself. 

“Never let your challenges define your success or future,” Ava says.

1. How did Ava’s own interests inspire her business?

2. Based on the article, what are some ways consumers learn about Ava’s products?

3. What does Ava mean when she says that a kid entrepreneur should “set prices carefully”?

1. How did Ava’s own interests inspire her business?

2. Based on the article, what are some ways consumers learn about Ava’s products?

3. What does Ava mean when she says that a kid entrepreneur should “set prices carefully”?