Mikaila Ulmer is one of the youngest authors ever to have a book published by Penguin Random House. The 15-year-old Texan’s new book is called “Bee Fearless,” and it’s part memoir, part business guide to her lemonade company Me & the Bees Lemonade.
Because she’s a junior in high school, Ulmer says she often has to miss speaking opportunities and other events because of classes. But she still wants to share her story.
“The reason why we started was because I realized that this book could be a way for me to reach a bigger audience,” Ulmer said. “Even though it’s a little harder to release the book, people can still learn and learn about social entrepreneurship.”
Ulmer’s social entrepreneurship is rooted in saving the bees. She sweetens her lemonade with honey and uses this as a platform to teach people about bees.
“I decided, ‘Hey, I just learned about the bees, why don’t I sweeten with honey instead?’” Ulmer said. “The bees are important pollinators and they’re also dying at an alarming rate.”
One of the most important lessons in the book, she says, is to dream like a kid when it comes to business. After all, the young entrepreneur was 4 years old when she sold her lemonade.
“When I started the company all I saw was, ‘I want to figure out how I can save the bees’ and that’s how I dreamed of my business. So think of your end goal, and why you started, instead of thinking about all of the obstacles,” Ulmer said.
Her memoir and business guide “Bee Fearless: Dream Like A Kid” was released on Tuesday.
Web Story by Sarah Gabrielli.