Ava Simmons loves doing experiments. She’s launched homemade rockets and created her own slime. She’s even used lemons to make electricity.

But these activities are more than Ava’s hobby. They’re also part of her business! Ava started a company called Team Genius Squad. She sells kits with the supplies kids need to do science experiments.

“The best part about running my business is seeing the shocked faces of kids when they learn something new,” Ava says.

Ava Simmons loves doing experiments. She’s launched homemade rockets. She’s created her own slime. She’s even used lemons to make electricity.

But these activities are more than Ava’s hobby. They’re also part of her business! Ava started a company. It’s called Team Genius Squad. She sells kits with the supplies kids need to do science experiments.

“The best part about running my business is seeing the shocked faces of kids when they learn something new,” Ava says.

Ava wasn’t always a successful entrepreneur. In fact, she used to struggle in school. 

“I was bullied and teased because I couldn’t read,” she explains.     

Ava has a condition called dyslexia. People with dyslexia may have trouble reading, writing, and doing math.

Ava wasn’t always a successful entrepreneur. She used to struggle in school. 

“I was bullied and teased because I couldn’t read,” she says.   

Ava has dyslexia. People with dyslexia may have trouble reading, writing, and doing math.

In early 2020, Ava and her mom, Tia, had an idea. They came up with a fun way to build Ava’s skills in school. Ava would write scripts and star in videos explaining how to do experiments. Her mom would film the videos at their home in Durham, North Carolina. 

Ava and her family set up their kitchen to look like a lab. Ava even wore a lab coat like a real scientist. 

She posted her first video that June. It was a guide to making hand sanitizer.

Before long, thousands of people were tuning in to Ava’s YouTube channel. That’s when Ava and her mom decided to turn it into a business.

In early 2020, Ava and her mom had an idea. They thought of a fun way to build Ava’s skills in school. Ava would write scripts and star in videos. She would explain how to do experiments. Her mom would film the videos at their home in Durham, North Carolina. 

Ava’s family made their kitchen look like a lab. Ava even wore a lab coat like a scientist. 

She posted her first video that June. It was a guide to making hand sanitizer.

Before long, many people were tuning in to Ava’s YouTube channel. So Ava and her mom decided to turn it into a business.

Ava’s first step was to create a document called a business plan. It explained the products she would sell and how much each one would cost. It also included her plan for how she would sell her products.  

Ava’s first kit had the materials kids need to power a light bulb with lemons. Ava and her mom found a factory to make it. Next they set up a website to promote her business. 

Soon orders were pouring in. At first, Ava and her family packed and shipped each one. But later Ava decided to work with a company to handle that for her.

Ava’s first step was to create a document called a business plan. It explained the products she would sell and how much they would cost. It also described how she would sell the products.  

Ava’s first kit had the items needed to power a light bulb with lemons. Ava and her mom found a factory to make it. Next they set up a website. They wanted to promote Ava’s business.

Orders poured in. At first, Ava and her family packed and shipped each one. But later Ava decided to work with a company to do that for her.

Meanwhile, Ava looked for ways to reach new customers. In 2024, she partnered with Whole Foods. The supermarket chain wanted to sell Ava’s kits in 400 stores across the country. The items were very popular. They sold out in just three months! 

Today Ava sells more than 20 different items. They include books and puzzles. Her products can be bought in stores and museums and online. So far, she’s sold more than 50,000 products.

Ava says running her business is a lot of work. Each day she spends about two hours after school on it. She also teaches other kids how to become entrepreneurs. One of her biggest tips is to believe in yourself. 

“Never let your challenges define your success or future,” Ava says.

Meanwhile, Ava tried to reach new customers. In 2024, she partnered with Whole Foods. The supermarket chain wanted to sell Ava’s kits in 400 stores. The items were popular. They sold out in three months! 

Today Ava sells more than 20 items. They include books and puzzles. Her products are sold in stores and museums and online. So far, she’s sold more than 50,000 products.

Ava says running her business is a lot of work. Each day she spends two hours after school on it. She also teaches other kids how to become entrepreneurs. One of her biggest tips is to believe in yourself. 

“Never let your challenges define your success or future,” Ava says.