Alina Morse founded Zolli Candy before she was a teenager, and now her sugar-free treats are on shelves nationwide. For Small Business Week, we’re spotlighting how this young entrepreneur turned a big idea into a thriving business and what other small business owners can learn from her journey.
The story behind Zollipops and how one girl set out to save smiles: it all started with a question.
When Alina Morse walked into a bank with her dad at just seven years old, she didn’t expect to stumble on an idea that would shape her future. A friendly teller offered her a lollipop, and like any kid, she wanted to accept. But in the back of her mind echoed the reminder her parents often gave her – candy can hurt your teeth.
So instead of unwrapping the treat, Alina asked a question.
“What if we could make a lollipop that’s actually good for your teeth?”
Alina shared her idea with her dad, and together, they began exploring how to bring it to life. They spent months researching ingredients, experimenting in their kitchen, and testing recipes. Their goal was simple: create a treat that kids would love and dentists could stand behind. Eventually, they created a sugar-free, vegan, all-natural lollipop designed to help protect teeth, not harm them.
Her younger sister Lola also played a part. When Lola stumbled over one of the ingredients’ names, she blurted out “Zollipops,” and just like that, the name stuck.
By 2014, Alina’s first batch of Zollipops made it to store shelves. What began as a kitchen experiment soon became a thriving business. Her small idea grew into ZolliCandy: a full line of treats, including Zollipops, Zolli Drops, and Zaffi Taffy. Before long, her candy was available in nearly 25,000 stores nationwide, from Walmart to Amazon and everywhere in between.
Her business took off, and by 2018, ZolliCandy had surpassed $6 million in sales, establishing itself as a serious player in the candy industry. That same year, Alina became the youngest person to appear on the cover of Entrepreneur magazine, a testament to how a childhood idea could turn into a real, profitable business.
Source: Entrepreneur
As Zolli Candy grew, Alina stayed focused on her mission: promoting better dental health for kids. She launched the Million Smiles Initiative, donating Zollipops to schools and helping children learn about oral hygiene in a fun, accessible way.
Today, Zolli Candy is a testament to what focused vision and consistent effort can achieve. Alina credits her success to the support of her family, her team, and a community that believed in what she set out to build.
For many small business owners, building something meaningful starts with that same support system: people who help make the hard parts a little easier. At CoCountant, we’re proud to be part of that foundation for businesses at every stage, taking care of the financial details so founders can stay focused on what they do best.
From tracking sales and managing cash flow to handling payroll and making sure taxes don’t catch you off guard, we take care of all the bookkeeping and accounting details so you never have to double as a bookkeeper.
Here’s how we can help your business:
- Daily bookkeeping: Accurate and up-to-date recording of all transactions, giving you a clear picture of your financial health at all times.
- Reconciliation: Matches your records with bank statements to eliminate discrepancies and ensure accuracy.
- Tax-ready financials: Keeps your books organized and compliant so you’re fully prepared when tax season arrives.
- Payroll & 1099 support: Ensures your employees and contractors are paid correctly and on time.
- Direct bookkeeper access: Communicate directly with your dedicated bookkeeper for continuous and efficient communication.
