RUNNING A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS IN COLLEGE
At the age of 15, Ava Anderson launched her own line of personal-care and home-cleaning products,Ava Anderson Non-Toxic. Now an undergrad, Ava is educating hundreds of thousands of American families annually on the issue of toxic chemicals in personal care products through her line, which now includes baby, skin, face, hair, body, scents, bugs, candles, home, sun, and pet products. At Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, Ava actively helps run her multimillion-dollar empire with 17 full-time employees. Her goal is to help force a paradigm shift on the issue of toxic chemicals in products.
Fusfoo contributer Robert Harrington sat down with Ava and asked her how she’s able to run a company while still attending school.Â
How did you get started?Â
I saw an article about all of the harmful chemicals found in teenagers blood streams that are in personal care products and it set me off on a year-long crusade of research and trying to find safe products to use for myself and my family.
At first I was in denial that there could be known carcinogens, hormone disruptors and reproductive mutagens in products sold in this country, but decided to err on the side of caution and tried to buy my way out of the issue thinking that it would be worth it to spend a little more money and instead buy the “natural” or “organic” product at the store. I quickly learned that these terms don’t usually mean what you think they do and that there were still often dozens of ingredients I didn’t want to be exposing myself to.
Fast forward 6 months and I decided to meet with a private label manufacturer to help us launch our line, after being unable to find a single safe line to use or recommend to family and friends. In December of 2009, we launched Ava Anderson Non Toxic with 6 skincare products and today we have over 80 products in 11 categories and a non-toxic alternative to almost everything you use on a daily basis (avaBABY, avaPET, avaFACE, avaSKIN, avaHOME, avaSCENTS, avaBODY, avaMEN, avaBUGS, and avaSUN)!
How did you get money to buy operating supplies as a high school student?Â
I had the financial support of my parents. We were in the black after 13 months, so thankfully it was a small amount of money.
What has been your biggest challenge in starting a business?
I think we have had small setbacks here and there, like a product not being ready for the launch date, but so far we have been really lucky that we have an incredible team of employees and close to 7,000 consultants out there every day helping us educate American families on how to make safer choices and what they want to avoid in anything from their deodorant, to lip balm and sunscreen (not just a woman’s makeup issue!).
Now that you’re in college, do people treat you differently at school knowing you have a successful business? Â
I am at Babson College, one of the top business and entrepreneurship colleges in the country, so it is nice to be surrounded by many here that have startups and big plans, who support me.
In high school it was far more challenging. I do still often keep it to myself but am happy to answer questions if they approach me on campus.  We have also made a donation to Babson to create the first ever Women’s Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program in a US college, and I enjoy mentoring those students.
Do people encourage you? How do you deal with naysayers?Â
There were some who were not supportive, but thankfully there are millions who do. I am passionate about sharing this message, and am proud of the work we do as a team. Our Ava Consultants encourage me and inspire me daily!
Our goal has always been to change the paradigm on harmful chemicals in personal care and cleaning products. In the beginning some could not believe that a 14 year old started a company, but as soon as we met or they heard some of my interviews, the questions faded away. With the help of a small team we were able to get this off the ground and flying quickly. One never does this all alone.
Do you feel like you have to hide the fact that you’re an entrepreneur?Â
Thankfully, no. But I do not share unless asked.
Have you bought anything extravagant or do you still live like a normal college student?
I am a normal student. All profits from the business are driven right back to the company for intense R&D of new products, increases in inventory levels to support the massive growth (close to 300% this year) and perks for the Consultants to help us change our world, including the richest compensation plan in the industry and exotic incentive trips.  This is how we have gone from 6 to 80 products and have the safest full line of products on the market in such a short time.
How has your life changed?Â
I am enriched immensely by the work we do together, and know we are making a difference, but I still have to do homework, clean my room and live on an allowance (just like everyone else:).
Do you have an end goal for your business, or do you have an exit strategy to do something different?Â
The line was created as a platform to move the needle on this issue for public health and costs of public health. Plus we have now also created an entrepreneurial opportunity for thousands – we have many making six figures, with some into the $30,000 per month range.  I cannot imagine stranding these people.
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