A High School Senior Sells Into Wal-Mart

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I was nominated for Black Enterprise's Teenpreneur of the Year award. Following the awards ceremony, a representative from Wal-Mart approached me. He wanted to know more about my business and start a relationship, so that one day my products could be sold at its stores. My dream of hitting the mass market seemed to be coming true right there. Little did I know there were many steps I had to take to make them come true.

After learning even more about business and the retail world, I went down to Wal-Mart headquarters in Bentonville, Ark., for a meeting. It had taken almost a year to get UPC codes, minority- and women-owned business certifications, and also to learn how to ship and bill Wal-Mart. It was a success that I was given the chance to do a test run in 10 stores to see how my products would sell. The trial went phenomenally. Not long after, Wal-Mart offered to sell my products in 200 stores across the country.

Many people could never picture a teenager running such a successful business. I don't think they should be so surprised anymore. There are plenty of teen-run businesses today. Teens are venturing past the conventional money-making jobs like babysitting, or working at fast food restaurants and lemonade stands. We teens today have bigger dreams and higher expectations for ourselves than anyone could imagine. Sometimes all we need is a little encouragement or some inspiration on what we can really do.

Live Your Dream

When I first started my business, a lot of people told me that I was too young and that I needed to focus on school. Many thought that I was just a puppet and that my parents were really the ones calling the shots and running the business. I saw past all of the negativity and did what I was called to do. I never lost the support of my friends and family. They were the encouragement that I needed.

Now that my business has started to truly make a mark in the hair care industry, I feel that it is my duty to give back. My message is: Find your passion, and live your dream. It is never too early or too late to take a chance and live your dream. I am living proof. However, in the midst of the speaking engagements and business meetings, I still manage to remain an honor student with a 4.0 GPA. I do sports, community service, and after-school clubs. I study engineering and have an amazing group of friends that I couldn't do without. I make time for myself, my family, and all the other things I love to do besides run my business. I have a very full life, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

—as told to Stacy Perman

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