When Alina Morse was 7 years old, a simple trip to the bank sparked an idea that would change her entire life.
After being offered a lollipop, Alina wondered, “Why can’t candy be good for your teeth?”
That question eventually became Zolli Candy, the company behind Zollipops and other sugar-free candies. But before she was meeting with major retailers and leading a business, Alina was a Girls on the Run participant learning lessons she relies on today.
She admitted that she wasn’t exactly thrilled about running at first. But Girls on the Run quickly became much more than a place for practice and lap counters. “It built so much character,” she said.
During her time with Girls on the Run Greater Detroit, Alina’s mom supported her every step of the way. “It was something fun for us to do together,” she said. “My mom would be in the back with me saying, ‘You’ve got this. Don’t give up on yourself.'”
Top: Alina hands out Zollipops to potential investors on an episode of ‘Shark Tank.’ Bottom: Alina and her GOTR teammates at their 5K Celebration.
Along with helping her build confidence, Girls on the Run helped Alina form friendships during an important stage of life.
“Sometimes it’s really hard to make friends as a young girl, and that’s how I made friends,” she said. “Those were the girls I had sleepovers with and celebrated birthdays with.”
Today, she sees those experiences as the foundation for something even bigger.
“I see the importance of women cheering each other on,” she said. “Girls on the Run introduced those skills so early. It’s sisterhood.”
From an Idea to Reality
Around the same time she was participating in Girls on the Run, Alina started to dream up what would eventually become Zolli Candy. Her parents encouraged her curiosity as she researched, asked questions, and wrote down her ideas — some of which still live in a binder on her desk today!
Armed with that binder of ideas, she began to learn how candy was made, and after two years of testing and refining recipes, she had a product she believed in.
Today, Zolli Candy products are available in major retailers across the country, and through the company’s Million Smiles Initiative, millions of Zollipops have been donated to children along with educational resources promoting oral health and entrepreneurship.
Looking back, Alina sees a clear connection between the values she learned through Girls on the Run and the mission behind the company she built.
“I was introduced to healthy living and healthy eating, and I was building something centered around making health accessible for everyone,” she said.
Finding Balance
Now a rising senior at Michigan State University studying finance with a minor in entrepreneurship, Alina balances college life with running her business. While her schedule is busy, she makes time for the things that keep her grounded.
“I run, I play tennis, and I exercise — that’s how I balance it,” she said. “Friendships, family, and hobbies keep me sane. It’s hard to keep up with some of those things, but it’s energizing to have these other things that I’m working towards that aren’t just school goals or work goals.”
Advice for Girls With Big Ideas
For girls who have an idea but aren’t sure where to begin, Alina’s advice is refreshingly simple: “You don’t have to know where to start. The important thing is starting.”
She encourages girls to stay curious, seek out mentors, and trust that they can figure things out along the way.
“As long as you’re committed and you wake up every day and say, ‘This is my goal,’ you can literally do anything,” she said. “It’s all about that drive and curiosity.”
And yes, she still recommends keeping an idea binder.
“Write down your ideas,” she said. “That’s a great place to start.”
If you’ve been part of Girls on the Run as a participant, coach, staff member, or board member, join Beyond the Finish, the GOTR Alumni Community, to stay connected, celebrate our impact, and get involved!
