GoKawiilZolli Candy founder Alina Morse, now 21, keeps brand growing since 2018 cover
Alina Morse, who appeared on Entrepreneur Magazine's cover at age 13, is now a senior at Michigan State University while continuing to run her candy company Zolli Candy and its nonprofit, the Million Smiles Initiative. She told Entrepreneur that the company expanded distribution through retailers including Whole Foods, Walmart and Amazon in the years following the cover story, and that she still uses the original magazine feature as a tool when pitching new retail partners.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The update suggests that early media exposure can provide lasting credibility for young entrepreneurs, functioning as an ongoing marketing asset years after publication. Morse's account also indicates that balancing higher education with running a company is, in her view, compatible rather than a tradeoff, which could offer a data point for how young founders sustain businesses while pursuing other interests.
- Alina Morse became the youngest founder on Entrepreneur Magazine's cover at age 13.
- She continues to run Zolli Candy and its nonprofit, Million Smiles Initiative, while attending Michigan State University as a senior.
- She says the magazine cover still serves as a credibility tool when approaching new retail partners.
Zolli Candy Xylitol Pops — Zolli Candy is the actual brand built by Alina Morse featured in this story, offering sugar-free lollipops and candy sweetened with xylitol instead of sugar. It's a fun way to support a young entrepreneur's mission while satisfying a sweet tooth without the cavity risk.”,
See Zolli Candy Xylitol Pops on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: entrepreneur.com — Noa Ran-Ressler, 2026-10-02
Published there as: “She Was On the Cover of Entrepreneur Magazine At 13. Now She’s 21 and Her Brand Is Still Thriving.”
Read the original report → The summary and analysis above are GoKawiil's own, written from reporting by the source above. Facts and quotes belong to the original publisher.