At the age of 7, Alina Morse was offered a lollipop while visiting the bank with her father. She hesitated to take it, as she had always been told candy was bad for her teeth. This experience led her to create Zolli Candy, a company that produces treats for people with dietary restrictions or those who want healthier options. Zolli Candy’s treats are zero-sugar, allergy-friendly, gluten-free, vegan, keto and kosher.

However, Alina realized that healthy treats were not enough to address the issue of tooth decay, America’s most chronic childhood disease. In response, she established the Million Smiles Initiative in 2018 to educate children about oral health. The initiative takes part in school curriculum, community education and family events around health, science and entrepreneurship. To date, over six million children have been educated through the program.

Zolli Candy also partnered with Google Registry to launch the .boo top-level domain in 2019. This partnership helped grow their Halloween sales by 300%. With Easter approaching, Zolli Candy sees this as another opportunity to reduce tooth decay among children while keeping them smiling. In fact, Zolli Candy has participated in First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” initiative since 2015. At the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, 35,000 children receive Zollipops, much to the delight of both children and parents.

Overall, Alina Morse demonstrates how desiring change in one’s life can lead to meaningful contributions to society. She recognized a problem and created a solution through her business and the Million Smiles Initiative. Her passion for healthier living is not only evident in her products but also in her eagerness to educate children. As Zolli Candy continues to grow, it remains a shining example of how individuals can make a positive impact in the world.