Alina Morse is a teenage entrepreneur who revolutionized the candy industry with the invention of Zolli candy, a sugar-free candy that cleans teeth and prevents cavities.
She started her business when she was 10 years old and it has since grown into a multi-million dollar company selling products in more than 25,000 stores worldwide.
She is also a philanthropist who donates Zolli Candy to schools and dental offices through her Million Smiles Initiative. She is one of the world’s youngest and most successful entrepreneurs.
She has been featured on the cover of Entrepreneur Magazine, invited to the White House by Michelle Obama, and interviewed by various media outlets.
File
- Full name: Alina Morse
- Date of birth: May 8, 2005
- Age: 19 years old
- Female
- Birthplace: Wolverine Lake, Michigan, USA
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Zolli Candy
- Height: Not applicable
- Parents: Tom and Suzanne Morse
- Siblings: Lola Morse (younger sister)
- Spouse: Not applicable
- Children: Not applicable
- Relationship status: single
- Net worth: 6 million USD
Early life and education
Alina Morse was born on May 8, 2005 in Wolverine Lake, Michigan, United States. She is the eldest daughter of Tom and Suzanne Morse, both of whom work for Zolli Candy in different roles. Her father is the chief financial officer, and her mother is the chief operating officer.
Her younger sister, Lola, is also involved in the business as the main taste tester. Alina grew up in a family that encouraged her creativity and curiosity.
She attended Walled Lake Central High School and graduated in 2023. She was an excellent student who balanced her studies with extracurricular activities.
She danced competitively in ballet, hip-hop and jazz and participated in various clubs and organizations.
She is currently enrolled at Harvard Business School, where she is pursuing a degree in business administration.
Personal life
Alina Morse is single and has no spouse, girlfriend or children. She is focused on her studies and career and has not announced her relationship with anyone.
She is close to her family and friends and enjoys spending time with them. She also likes to travel, read books, watch movies and listen to music.
She is a fan of pop stars like Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish. She is a vegetarian and loves animals.
Career
Alina Morse’s career began when she was 10 years old and visited a bank with her father. A teller gave her a lollipop, but her father told her that the candy was bad for her teeth.
She wondered why there was no candy that was good for teeth and decided to create her own.
She researched online and discovered that xylitol and erythritol, natural sweeteners derived from plants, can prevent bacteria from sticking to teeth and reduce acidity in the mouth. She also knows that adding natural flavors and colors can make the candy more appealing.
She tested various recipes and ingredients in her kitchen and developed a prototype of Zolli candy, a sugar-free hard candy that cleans teeth. She named it Zolli Candy after her pet cat, Zolli.
She presented her idea to a local candy store and they agreed to sell her product. She also participated in a competition for young entrepreneurs and won a prize of 2,500 USD.
She used this money to buy more ingredients, packaging and hire a professional candy maker to help her produce Zolli candy in larger quantities.
She also created a website and social media presence for her brand and began marketing her products online and offline.
She contacted retailers, distributors and influencers and convinced them to carry or promote Zolli Candy.
She also contacted dentists, schools and charities and offered to donate Zolli Candy to them through her Million Smiles Initiative.
This program aims to improve oral health and prevent tooth decay in children. She also expanded her product line to include other sugar-free candies such as Zolli Pops, Zolli Drops, Zolli Gummies and Zolli Caramels.
Alina Morse’s business grew rapidly and achieved great success. She sold more than 6 million units of Zolli candy in 2019 and generated more than $6 million in revenue in 2020.
She also struck deals with major retailers such as Walmart, Target, Kroger, CVS and Amazon, and expanded her distribution to more than 25,000 stores in the US and abroad.
She’s also partnered with celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres, Ryan Seacrest and Ashton Kutcher, who have endorsed or invested in Zolli Candy.
She also appears on many television shows, magazines, podcasts, and events, where she shares her story and inspires other young entrepreneurs.
She also received recognition and awards from various organizations, such as the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the US Chamber of Commerce, the Global Youth Leader Award from the We Are Family Foundation and Young Innovator to Watch Award from the Consumer Technology Association.
Alina Morse remains the founder and CEO of Zolli Candy and oversees every aspect of the business. She is also involved in product development, marketing, sales and philanthropy. She has a team of employees and advisors who support and help her run the company.
She is also a student at Harvard Business School, learning new skills and knowledge to grow her business and achieve her goals.
In the future, she plans to launch more products and enter new markets. She also hopes to inspire and empower more young people to pursue their dreams and positively impact the world.
prize
Some of the awards that Alina Morse has won throughout her career are:
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award awarded by the US Chamber of Commerce in 2018.
- Global Youth Leadership Award from the We Are Family Foundation in 2019.
- 2020 Consumer Technology Association Notable Innovator Award.
- Cover of Entrepreneur Magazine 2020.
- Forbes 30 Under 30 list 2021.
Net value
According to sources, Alina Morse’s net worth is estimated at $6 million. She earned most of her wealth from her business, Zolli Candy, which sells sugar-free candy that is good for your teeth. She also earns money from endorsements, investments, and speaking engagements.
Social Media
- Instagram: @zollicandy
- Twitter: @zollicandy
