Mikalia Ulmer- “Me & The Bees”, BeeSweet Lemonade

At the tender age of four and a half, Mikaila Ulmer transformed a scary experience into the foundation for something remarkable. After being stung by bees twice in one week, her parents encouraged her to confront her fears by exploring the world of bees. Through reading and engaging with local Texas hives, she learned about the vital role bees play in our ecosystem. Drawing inspiration from a 1940s lemonade recipe from her great-grandmother, which was sweetened with honey and enhanced with flaxseed, she opened her first lemonade stand in Austin, naming it BeeSweet Lemonade.

Her combination of straightforward ingredients, sincere mission, and nostalgic appeal struck a chord with many. Before long, a nearby pizza shop requested that she bottle her lemonade, leading to placements in Whole Foods and other retailers. At just ten years old, she made an appearance on Shark Tank, where Daymond John invested $60,000, providing her brand with both funding and national visibility.

By her teenage years, Mikaila had successfully expanded her company, now known as Me & the Bees Lemonade, to over 1,500 stores across the country, selling millions of bottles. She also established the Healthy Hive Foundation, committed to bee conservation, highlighting her position not only as a business leader but also as a young social entrepreneur. Throughout her journey, she has spoken at the United Nations, introduced President Obama at the United State of Women Summit, and written a bestselling book designed to inspire other children to dream big and think like entrepreneurs.

At just 20 years old, Mikaila is currently balancing her college life as a student majoring in Economics and Quantitative Sciences at Emory University, while also serving as the CEO of her own company. Her inspiring journey illustrates how a childhood challenge, coupled with curiosity, familial support, and a well-defined purpose, can blossom into a successful national brand and a significant movement dedicated to saving the bees.