Mikaila Ulmer — Turning Fear into Purpose
Name: Mikaila Ulmer | State: Texas | Known for: Founder of Me & the Bees Lemonade
When Mikaila Ulmer of Austin, Texas, was four years old, she was stung by bees twice in one week. Understandably, she became frightened of them. Instead of allowing that fear to control her, Mikaila's parents encouraged her to learn more about bees.
As Mikaila researched them, she discovered how important bees are to our food supply and environment. She also learned that bee populations were in danger. Her fear began to turn into fascination — and then into a desire to help.
Around the same time, Mikaila entered a children's business competition. Using her great-grandmother's flaxseed lemonade recipe, she created a special lemonade sweetened with honey. She began selling it at a small stand and donated a portion of the proceeds to organizations working to protect bees.
Her little lemonade stand gradually became Me & the Bees Lemonade. At age 10, Mikaila appeared on the television program Shark Tank and received a $60,000 investment from entrepreneur Daymond John. By age 11, her lemonade had earned a distribution agreement with Whole Foods Market. At 13, TIME named her one of its 30 Most Influential Teens of 2017.
Mikaila continued balancing school with the responsibilities of building a company, speaking publicly and supporting bee conservation. What began as an upsetting childhood experience grew into a business with a meaningful mission.
Why Her Story Matters
Mikaila could have continued running away from everything connected to bees. Instead, she made the choice to learn about what frightened her. That one decision opened the door to knowledge, compassion, creativity and opportunity.
Her story reminds us:
- ✓Your age does not prevent you from making a difference.
- ✓A problem can become the beginning of an idea.
- ✓Fear sometimes becomes smaller when we learn more about it.
- ✓Success often starts with something simple.
- ✓A business or personal goal can also help other people and the world.
- ✓You do not need to know every step before taking the first one.
The Every Choice Matters Lesson
Mikaila did not build a successful company through one enormous decision. Her journey grew through many smaller choices: choosing to research bees, enter a competition, try a family recipe, speak about her idea, accept guidance and continue when the work became difficult.
One positive choice may appear small today, but it can lead you toward opportunities you cannot yet imagine.
Questions for Teen Readers
- 1Is there something you fear that you could understand better through learning?
- 2What problem in your school or community would you like to help solve?
- 3What talent, interest or personal experience could you turn into a meaningful project?
- 4What is one small step you could take this week?
This is a documented true story. Sources: Me & the Bees — Mikaila's story, TIME's 30 Most Influential Teens of 2017, and TIME's report on her Whole Foods agreement.