Freedom Lifestyle

Learn From a 10-Year-Old Entrepreneur [Lily Harper]

• Sam Laliberte • Season 6 • Episode 90

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Young entrepreneur at the age of 10, is the imaginative force behind Lily Lou's Aromas.

This remarkable journey from confronting schoolyard bullies to igniting a passion for candle-making through a school project, turned this fifth-grader into an entrepreneur  with a following of 350k. 

Lily proves that building a business and enjoying a childhood fuelled by imagination aren't mutually exclusive: 

  • Alternative education (homeschooling and ADHD)
  • Advice for kids wanting to start their first business
  • Ways that young entrepreneurs are misunderstood
  • Mindset tips for small business owners of any age

Tune in and let Lily's entrepreneurial spirit ignite your own ambitions, no matter your age.

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About the show:

Sam Laliberte -  entrepreneur, digital nomad and freedom seeker, hosts the Freedom Lifestyle Podcast to expose people to the many ways you can design your dream life and unlock your own version of the freedom lifestyle. Her guests have empowered themselves through flexible work as a way to “have it all” - financial, location AND schedule freedom.

Speaker 1:

You're listening to a new episode of the Freedom Lifestyle podcast, where I introduce you to relatable stories from everyday people who have leveraged flexible work arrangements to design their dream lives. Today, you are going to meet a 10 year old entrepreneur, which I'm also meeting a 10 year old entrepreneur. That was definitely a first for me interviewing somebody who has so much knowledge and success even at that age. It was very impressive. You're going to get to meet Lily, who is the founder of Lily Lose Aromas, which is a candle making venture, but is so much more than that. This business has truly become an inspiring platform for so many other kids. Her age Lily is following of over 300,000 at the time of me recording this, and she really uses her business and her story of being bullied at school, which resulted in being homeschooled, which resulted in her even starting this business. It was a school project that actually became a real thing. So today we definitely talked about what it was like starting a business at 10, what people get wrong about what it's like to be an entrepreneur at this age. A lot of people say that she's being robbed of a childhood and she really wants to set the record straight. She loves having this business. She feels so passionate about it and you're going to be able to tell from this conversation. I got to hear what her advice would be for other kids her age wanting to start a business. But regardless of your age, there's a lot of insights and learnings for someone at any stage of their entrepreneurial journey. Lily's mindset and her ability to learn on the go, to fail quickly, to iterate, is just a message that we could all hear over and over again. It's also just really fun to chat with a 10 year old entrepreneur.

Speaker 1:

Today's episode is brought to you by Fiverr, the world's largest marketplace for freelance services. I've been a Fiverr Pro seller for three years and it's actually my top channel for attracting new customers. But I've also become an act of client and now I love outsourcing parts of my various businesses by buying other people's services on Fiverr. Recently, I've leveled up my social media marketing by outsourcing you're not going to believe this my Instagram reels. You know, when you go to an event or you go to an amazing experience and you look at your camera roll after and you just have dozens of video clips that you know would make for such a cool Instagram reel, but it would take you forever to put it together. Well, I found someone on Fiverr who I literally send my dozens of unorganized video clips to, and within two business days she sends me back a 30 second reel with trending audio that I can share with my community, just days after the event. I've included a link to her profile. I've included a link to her exact profile in today's show notes, along with some of my favorite reels that she's made for me. I challenge you head to Fiverrcom next time you have a project but just don't have the time, or maybe you don't even have the expertise to execute on something you're thinking. I have been so pleased by how much space this frees up for me, how much more freedom this creates in my life. And if you're new to Fiverr, use the link in the show notes for 10% off your very first order With no further delay.

Speaker 1:

Here's Lily. Lily, welcome to the Freedom Lifestyle podcast. How are we feeling today? How's your energy? What are we going into this call with?

Speaker 2:

I am super happy. I love doing podcasts, so doing this right now makes me super happy and even helps me with my speaking.

Speaker 1:

You're such a great speaker. When we met, I remember you were like an impromptu speaker at the conference. You weren't even prepped, you just rolled with it and on the spot you did such a great job. Does that come naturally for you, or are you working on that intentionally?

Speaker 2:

It's what podcasts do and like speaking out. Events do to me. I do podcasts all the time and events.

Speaker 1:

Amazing. Well, what would you normally be doing right now? So, first of all, where in the world are you, where are we taking today's call from? And if you weren't in this podcast interview, what would you normally be doing?

Speaker 2:

I'm currently in BC, Canada, and normally I start making all my reels to make sure I got those all posted, and then I do all my voiceovers for the Lose of Romance. I have one personal account and then the one my business account, so I post on those two and then I do my stories, make sure I keep everyone updated and then have my lunch and then start going on to spending time with the family and making dinner and everything. And yeah, it's kind of how it goes and how it flows Amazing.

Speaker 1:

You do such a great job with your social media and your Instagram account, specifically telling the story about the brand.

Speaker 1:

I know you tell this story so often, the story of how this business started, and I definitely am gonna bug you to tell it again today. Oh my God, yes, but first I wanna talk about the actual business, because what you've actually created, it's more than just an amazing story of how it came to be. The business itself is awesome. So can you give us a bit of an elevator pitch what you offer and perhaps some of your best selling products?

Speaker 2:

Okay, of course. So my best selling products? I would definitely say my Enchanted Rituals Hero, Distance Sun, is definitely a best seller. It's Grapefruit, Melon and Citrus. I also I like the Birthday Cake, which is my favorite because it smells like yellow cake, buttercream frosting so nice, it's my favorite. I still have it in my room. I'm gonna light it, but it's too beautiful.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I think those are kind of the best sellers that are current right now, and for someone who hasn't heard of your business at all before, what would you tell them? How would you introduce what you do?

Speaker 2:

I would just say, like, my name is Lily, I am the founder of Lily Luzon Romance. I make non-toxic slow west candles that don't give you headaches. That's kind of the pitch. I would have Make a short one.

Speaker 1:

You've got it nailed. How long has it been since you started this business? It's been two years. I would say yeah.

Speaker 2:

Okay.

Speaker 1:

Most businesses fail within the first year. So you've overcome that. You've beat the odds. That must feel good. Yes, I know you've also used your business to get to meet and be mentored by some really impressive women. When we met at the uplift conference, jamie Kern Lima was the keynote speaker and she gave you so many shout outs by the end of her keynote. Everybody in the audience knew who you were. How has it been getting to reach out to women like that, and how did that even come about?

Speaker 2:

Honestly, I think she found my profile and we're basically we text each other now and for people to come out. I've had that a couple of times before, but when Jamie reached out to me, I was so happy because I never thought she would.

Speaker 1:

I mean, that's pretty impressive for a 10-year-old getting to be friends with some of the biggest entrepreneurs in the world running a business. Do you find that has impacted your relationships with kids your age Like? Can you still relate to them and what is the impact on your friendships On social media.

Speaker 2:

A lot of people, I would say, get bullied a lot. And when I go out there and I say like I've been bullied, a lot of kids come to my page because like they'd say, oh, I've been bullied before, like I can come to Lily because she's been bullied and I can relate the same to her. So I would say I have a lot of friendships between my kids and teenagers and I'm trying to help them and get them to be positive and like keep away the bullies from like getting the negative, you know. So I always reach out to them and I say, like it's OK, like be positive, and I'm like I do videos about it. So, yeah, it's been amazing and I feel like I have a good relationship with like kids and teenagers.

Speaker 1:

Amazing. If anything, it seems like it's made it easier for you to be friends and make those relationships. Someone listening to this might think Lily bullied. She's so cool. Like what could she possibly be getting bullied about? Are you open to sharing a little bit about what was happening? Yeah, of course.

Speaker 2:

So basically, a lot of people have said that on my page I'd be like Lily, like you're so kind and you're amazing and talented, like how can you possibly get bullied? When I was at school, I would always say, like, why me? Like why have I done to them? And they'd say that I wasn't talented. They'd say I wouldn't smart, like I'd have to go to extra lessons because I have ADHD. It's really hard for me to comprehend like lessons and everything so. And then they'd say like call me not pretty, and they're just all kind of things that aren't nice.

Speaker 2:

So that's kind of what's happened to me and a lot of people. So I'd have to share it on social media. So they'd be like, oh my God, Lily, like this is so bad. Like, why, like, why would they do this to you? So I would just say to myself why me? Because I've done nothing to them. When I first got into school, I was like friends with everybody, I'm like kind, nice, and then when these bullies came up to me, I had no clue why I did to them. So it's kind of weird how it happened, but I just got bullied because of no reason.

Speaker 1:

So sorry. Well, I'm glad you're sharing that and being open about it, because I think when you're a role model like this for a lot of people and people can think how could it even happen to you? It makes people realize like anyone can get bullied no matter what, and it's something that could happen to anyone.

Speaker 2:

But let me say they did me a favor, Like if they didn't bully me, this would have not happened.

Speaker 1:

So let's talk about that. Yeah, how did bullying lead to this business? So I know you're not in school anymore, you're being homeschooled, so let's like paint a picture of your life at that time and starting the business. So when?

Speaker 2:

I was well. Basically I was pushed down middle stairs, I was in rock star and it really hurt me. And because of the bullying, my mom and dad homeschooled me. And by accident well, not by accident, but my mom and I did this ritual where we go upstairs we'd light a candle, watch a famous show, friends and we realized the candles were giving us like very bad headaches. And I searched it up and I was like, wow, like these have like lots of toxins and um, so I was like no wonder why they're giving us headaches.

Speaker 2:

So I basically wanted to make a change in that. So I started doing it. I started buying all the supplies and it kind of just grew and grew and grew. And well, I started first I gave out the product to my family for it and my friends so they could like try it and make sure it didn't give them headaches. And then we started posting on social media to four family friends and then I started posting a lot about my company and and then that's how I grew into my website, because a lot of people wanted to order from my business. So then I went into my website and then it kind of blew up and I have now 350,000 followers across my platforms.

Speaker 1:

Wow, and did I get that right that it started as a school project, like were? You working on it to be like let's see what we can learn and since we're being homeschooled, this is a fun, real life project which is for you, is a better way to learn.

Speaker 2:

Right is doing, not just reading yeah, because I like I told you like I have ADHD, so I really struggled with like reading. My mom she doesn't have ADHD. She reads a book for like 30 minutes and then she's like, oh, you're right, all done, and then and she actually processed what like was in the book and then she can like remember everything. But if I read a book for 30 minutes, I got bored and then I just like start scanning through all the words and then I don't remember anything because I have ADHD. So doing my business is a really peaceful and fun way to do things and create and because I love creating and doing more crafty stuff. So, yeah, it kind of started as a school project for me to learn and how did you even learn how to make candles?

Speaker 1:

because if I realized that my candles were toxic and giving me headaches, I wouldn't even know where to start. Like did you take a candle making workshop or how did how did you learn how to make candles?

Speaker 2:

actually, I first started off with wax molds because they were the easiest thing to do. So I started learning from my instructions and but we realized that we used the wrong wax. We used candle wax so that one badly crumbled. It wasn't good. But then, once we got them, after months and months and months and later we got the hang of it and we start, and then we learned to.

Speaker 2:

And then when we did wax molds, I wanted to learn candles, because there are night routine as candles, no wax molds. So we start doing candles. But we were like, how do we make candles? Like how does this work? So basically, my mom had a friend from from Spain who makes these beautiful candles it's unbelievable and I reached out to her and I was like, how come we make candles? And she shoe us and she started telling us all the instructions to do it.

Speaker 2:

So I basically started making all of them and I started like pouring it and then I actually finally made the right wax and I did it. And then I made a candle with the label and I was like, wow, this is, this is a masterpiece. So every then, yeah, after months, and later we got it hang of it and then started selling them on my website, and then started making more and more and more after months later and if anyone listening hasn't seen these candles yet, these are not just your average candles like you said at the beginning, they're so pretty, they're those candles that you don't even want to light because you're like I can't ruin it, like I have like yeah, I have a.

Speaker 2:

I have a friend that I gave a happy birthday candle to, and when I gave her the happy birthday candle, she, her birthday was like one year ago I think. And then, well, her birthday was just like like a couple weeks ago, but one year ago she, I gave her a happy birthday candle for her birthday party and when she and today she still had some of it, she was like I can't ruin the perfection of it like I can't do it.

Speaker 1:

I would need to buy two. I want the birthday candle. My eyes are on that. I showed you at the beginning. I've just lit my last, one of the three you gave me when we met and I'm going to buy two birthday candles one to just look at and then one to light. Yes, that was what I was thinking.

Speaker 2:

Yes, do that yeah.

Speaker 1:

Amazing, amazing. And where do you make the candles? So I know it's a family business. I want to hear about your team, but where does the production happen now?

Speaker 2:

So the production is still in my kitchen, since, from the start, like maybe we're going to do something different with it, like I don't know, we're still trying to figure that out, but at the moment we're just still doing it in the kitchen Amazing.

Speaker 1:

I mean, you already have the kitchen, why not Don't have to go anywhere. And your family, your family's pretty supportive. I, when I met you, I met your mom. She was hanging out with you all day and you're matching pink blazers, which caught a lot of attention. So who is the team? Who was involved in this business?

Speaker 2:

So I can definitely say that I have a couple of people that do things for me. I else one I just marketing, marketing graphics. She's really good at graphics and doing all the pictures. I have a new book releasing soon and I'm super excited for it, so she's doing all of the like me and like the pictures and everything and drawing all this she's amazing. And then we have the other one, which is Narissa. She is our content creator. She does all of the captions. So if you have ever seen my video and it has like the bubble text on it that she does all the caption and like on the video and then on the caption like down beside the video, there she does all of that, which is amazing. And then we have another one which Alana, my operations manager. She breaches out to stores and then does like helps us go to popups and then she helps us make the candles and everything and the packaging supplies and everything.

Speaker 2:

But, yeah, yeah, full team, but those are some of the ones that I have.

Speaker 1:

A lot of people have misconceptions about young entrepreneurs. What is something you wish people understood? What do you think people get wrong about you?

Speaker 2:

So some people say that I have no childhood. That's definitely one, and I do have a childhood. I have friends that I hang out with A lot. I go to their houses I have like popcorn and then like watch movies with them because the kid does that right. And then I go and I go to the pool, I like do like fun activities there, I go to a trampoline park, like I do all these kids stuff. I just don't share it enough for them to be able to believe that I actually have a childhood. So I really want to share it and I am. So then they know and then they don't say, oh, lily doesn't have a childhood.

Speaker 1:

That's such a good answer. I can imagine people say that they comment that on your post.

Speaker 2:

Yes, they do.

Speaker 1:

She doesn't even get to be a kid.

Speaker 2:

Yes, they say like they say all those type of stuff, but they hear all about my business.

Speaker 1:

Just not me. I think people probably just don't want you to grow up too fast. You know being a kid. A lot of people miss being a kid because it's so easy. They didn't have the responsibilities of being a business, but it sounds like you love having a business.

Speaker 2:

I love. It's literally why I created it. It was my passion and I will still always be a kid, like I'm 10 years old, and sometimes people call me an old soul, but in a good way I'm like I'm an old soul. I'm old but I'm still 10 and I still do like fun activities and everything. I just I don't share it enough, so I feel like I should really I should really share that.

Speaker 1:

I mean, don't feel pressured to share anything you don't want to share. If you want to keep your personal life personal, you should get to do that.

Speaker 2:

That's why I have a personal account. That's why I go, I'm like check out my personal account, Like I have all of my things that I get ready with me, like all the people that beg that like, please do this, but just not my business account.

Speaker 1:

Totally fair.

Speaker 2:

What do you think?

Speaker 1:

is the. What is the best part of having a small business when you're 10 years old?

Speaker 2:

I would say the best thing is inspiring people, you know, bringing them joy and making them happy. And like I want to be a person that, like I want people to come to me and be like I can go to. I can go to Lily because she has been bullied and she can motivate me for the day. I can go to Lily because she she's going to make me happy for the day. Like I want people to come to me and say like I can go to Lily for this and this and this.

Speaker 1:

So yeah, it sounds like it's given you, like it's given you an audience. It's given you an opportunity to be a role model. Yes, definitely that, I would say. I'm guessing. Kids ask you often then about business advice. What would you suggest if someone your age wants to start a business, what do you tell them to do first?

Speaker 2:

I would say I would definitely say trust you like your heart and you guy, and if there is a path, that path will lead you to your dreams. And I would say, like, focus on yourself. Somebody said that don't let other people's opinions drown your inner voice, and that's I definitely quote. That I would say to everybody, for who's like struggling with other people's opinions and I, every time I have somebody's like opinion on my, on my post I would just say that quote to myself. And it's, yeah, it's always amazing.

Speaker 1:

You kind of gave us a hint about what's coming next year. You said a book is coming. What are you working on for the new year? Are there new products you're launching? So there are.

Speaker 2:

So I have like, yes, about the book it's still sneak, like it's a secret, but I won't say too much of it because you're good at that. I'm not that good at secrets, so I'm trying to keep myself getting in control. But I also do have my Valentine's collection Releasing and I'm super excited for it. I because I love Valentine's and any holiday. But yeah, not just Valentine's but other products as well, which I'm super excited for as well amazing.

Speaker 1:

Okay, last couple questions for you. I know we want to go back into the day. The Sun is finally shining in BC. It's been so cold, I'm sure it's cold.

Speaker 2:

We were told so like. So cold, minus 15 where we live. Yeah, I'm in.

Speaker 1:

Squamish, not too far away. It's so cold.

Speaker 2:

I know.

Speaker 1:

Yeah. Do you think Everybody can be an entrepreneur or do you think you have to have some certain skills?

Speaker 2:

You can definitely be an entrepreneur if you want to like. Anybody can be an entrepreneur. I'm not saying that they can't like they can be an entrepreneur. You don't need to be able to have the skills whilst you're in the business. You can learn the skills whilst you're doing it. So whilst when I was doing my business, I had no clue what I was doing, but I still had a business and I was still running it myself. So I just clicked a bunch of buttons. I Like I had no clue what I was doing, but along the way there was new skills, there was new things I was learning and it was amazing. So you can be an entrepreneur and have no skills. You just learn the skills along the way.

Speaker 1:

That's how I would say it, and if you're learning on the job, you were probably making some mistakes.

Speaker 2:

Maybe, failing.

Speaker 2:

here and there Can you talk about maybe a mistake you made and how that felt, maybe like you hire someone and then they might not be the right set for you and make the wrong mistake, and then you and then you have to move on to the next one. Like that can be a mistake that you make, like I said, like I made a wrong mistake with the wax Listen, like that was one. But that's one mistake that I've probably made in my business hiring someone Not too, not good, and then that wasn't a right for me and then I just I didn't know. But then I just like Finish them from my business and then I moved on. But, like you know, mistakes happen. Like you always move on to the next one and see what's happening. So that's how you learn.

Speaker 1:

That's so good. Do you have a tip for hiring? Then, is there something that you look for now to make sure someone's the right fit?

Speaker 2:

So I would definitely get them it to come like, come over and then like see how they are, how much skills they have to be able to do this, and then if they're, if they're not too good, then like you, just you just say no, don't be. Also, I would say don't be scared to say no, because I am that people please her. See, I am a people please her and I'm not that good at saying no, so just say no and try not to be so attached.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, don't. Because. Because I would say don't try and make like your Stuff your family if you get too attached to them, because that is the wrong thing to do. Just, they're like, you can say them as your friends, but sometimes, sometimes, yeah, you might not expect them what they are going to be expected you know, as we're nearing the end, is there any type of final words you want to leave with the audience?

Speaker 1:

We're gonna tell them where to buy the candles, where to buy the birthday cake candle, because I think that's my favorite one, but anything else we want to leave the audience with that. You want to make sure people know I would say definitely go and follow Lily.

Speaker 2:

Lou Harper and Lily lose a romance. Make sure to go to my website ladies around this calm and check out all the products I have. And, yeah, and I hope you have a warm, cozy day and go on to your blanket, get a cup of tea and don't be.

Speaker 1:

Thanks for listening to another episode and if you haven't heard yet, my husband and I are hosting a free online workshop together that's gonna help you define and design your version of your best self this year. I mean, it's one thing to decide what you want to do this year, but have you really taken the time to identify who you need to be to get there? This is gonna be an interactive and activity based free workshop where you'll identify the two words that are gonna guide you this year. You are going to define your ideals, discard the distractions and derive your destiny. To get a better sense about what I'm talking about, head to what's your freecom, slash my best self and you can sign out for the free webinar.

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