Alina Morse – Zolli Candy

When Alina Morse was seven, she visited a bank with her father, where the bank teller offered her a lollipop. She wanted to accept it, but her parents had told her how bad candy was for her teeth growing up. This prompted her to ask her father—“Why can’t we make a lollipop that’s actually good for your teeth?”

This is how Alina Morse ended up creating her own business—Zolli Candy, lollipops amd other treats that were actually good for teeth—at only ten years of age. The Zolli Candy company consists of delicious vegan, sugar-free candy with natural flavors. Alina now acts as the company’s CEO and has launched the “Million Smiles Initiative”, which encourages schools to discuss dental hygiene by donating their candy to them. Zolli Candy works by reducing acidity levels in the mouth after consumption, which makes the mouth less bacteria-friendly, and discourages cavities. The formula used contains isomalt, erythritol, and stevia, which raise the mouth’s pH levels while neutralizing acidity, thereby providing a cleaner feeling that helps to reduce tooth decay and cavity development. Since her initial endeavor, she has expanded her brand to include Zolli Drops, Zaffi Taffy, and Zolli Caramelz, letting even more people appreciate her healthy alternative to over-sweetened tooth decay by opening up the doors to people who loved more than just lollipops, but other candy too!

Zolli Candy is now valued at $6 million dollars, proving that all it takes to have a good idea is to look at a problem with a different perspective. Alina did not stop at simply wondering why candy was bad and receiving an answer. Instead, she proposed taking on the problem by providing a candy that anyone could eat and enjoy, without having to worry about the effect it would have on the teeth. This is a great example of innovative thinking, and a huge part of why she’s still so successful today.