Starting a business is no small feat. It takes a vision, and imagination, and even more determination to bring it to life. Zoe Chiu ‘26 takes on the challenge, balancing life as a student-athlete in swim and dive as well as golf, all while pursuing her ambitions as an entrepreneur through her slime business. A steadfast student by day, she balances academics and competitive sports while also nurturing her entrepreneurial drive for something that used to be just a hobby. Zoe’s rise to ooey-gooey stardom proves that innovation can thrive at any age!
During the summer of 2018, Zoe stumbled upon what many kids at the time considered oddly mesmerizing: slime. She spent hours browsing YouTube videos of colorful swirls, glossy stretches, and satisfying pops. Soon, Zoe found herself making the gloppy concoction herself!
Recognizing her enthusiasm, her aunt gave her a suggestion: why not start a slime business?
The two sat down and created a logo, giving the small venture its first sense of identity with the name of “Slime Mermaidz & Friendz.” Soon after, they began visiting local Asian markets to purchase supplies. Zoe’s simple workspace brimmed with glitter, foam beads, containers, and other colorful mix-ins that brought the slime to life. With supplies in hand, she willfully prepared for her very first day of selling.
On July 3rd, Zoe carefully set up her first stand at a local park. The sun ablaze overhead, hour after hour she patiently scanned the pathways in hopeful anticipation of curious visitors. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead as the sweltering heat dragged on for a long four hours. In the end, she only sold one slime for three dollars. For many young entrepreneurs, such a slow start might have been discouraging enough to stop. However, she chose to view the experience in a different light: one of opportunity.
The very next day on the 4th of July, she returned to another local park and tried again. This time, things were different. People began stopping to look at the colorful slimes displayed in neat containers. Children were curious, parents were supportive, and the small stand slowly began attracting attention. By the end of the day, she had sold eight slimes, earning a total of sixty-four dollars.
“I was so elated,” she later recalled. That moment confirmed that her idea could really work.
Buoyed by the promising success of her second sale, she resolved to broaden her audience. She created an Instagram account devoted exclusively for her slime creations and committed herself to a steady rhythm of content. Almost daily, Zoey shared photographs and reels that showcased the satisfying interplay of her slime’s chromatic brilliance and addicting texture. Through her digital platform, she also connected with a slime community, gleaning insights and inspiration from more experienced creators.
This public outreach led Zoey to attend her very first slime convention. Being surrounded by well-known slime creators and fans was an unforgettable experience. She met popular slime sellers like Slime OG and Slime Yoda and bought a bunch of their products.
Zoe joined the Etsy SoCal Guild and began selling monthly as a pop-up vendor at the West Covina Mall. This new opportunity became a demanding commitment. On market days, she would attend school during the day and then head straight to the mall to prepare for an evening of selling her products. Those long hours tested her perseverance, but the moments spent among each shimmering slime strengthened her resolve and sharpened her entrepreneurial instincts.
Later that year, another exciting opportunity appeared.
Karina Garcia, a renowned slime content creator and Zoe’s personal favorite, announced she would be hosting a slime convention in Anaheim, California! For many “slimers,” attending such an event would have been exciting enough as a fan, but Zoe wanted to go as a seller.
Determined to make this happen, she began reaching out. She sent DM’s, tagged event organizers in her social media posts, and consistently shared examples of her work. Out of many hopeful creators, she was selected as one of the only five “Rising Slimers” featured at the convention. The young entrepreneur reached her peak!
Throughout the convention, her table drew a steady stream of visitors drawn by the inventive charm of her handmade slimes. By the end of the event, she had sold around 150 slimes, earning a little over $1,500 in sales. It was an unforgettable milestone and a clear beacon of her success..
The hustle and bustle didn’t stop there. Chiu continued expanding her business beyond local markets and began traveling to sell her products at events across the country. Her slime business eventually took her to cities such as Washington, D.C., New York City, Arizona, and San Diego. Each trip introduced her to new customers, fellow creators, and valuable experiences as a young entrepreneur.
However, just as her business seemed to be reaching new heights, the COVID-19 pandemic brought unexpected challenges.
With conventions canceled and in-person events no longer possible, her primary outlet of sales suddenly vanished. Like many small businesses around the world, she had to adapt quickly. She relied heavily on social media platforms and her Etsy shop to continue promoting and selling her products. Sales slowed, motivation sometimes faded, and the uncertainty of the pandemic made it challenging to stay inspired. Nevertheless, she refused to abandon the business she had worked so hard to build. Even during quarantine, she maintained a presence online and continued updating her customers with monthly posts and new slime releases.
When pandemic restrictions eventually lifted, she returned to in-person selling with the Etsy SoCal Guild at various malls throughout Southern California. However, as high school began, balancing academic responsibilities with frequent pop-up events became more challenging. As a result, she shifted her focus primarily to online sales.
Today, her business continues through platforms such as Etsy and TikTok. Although she admits her TikTok account has experienced slower growth recently, she still receives consistent support from customers. By her junior year of high school, she was receiving around ten orders each week – a steady reminder that the passion she discovered years earlier continues to resonate with others.
Looking back on the journey, one factor stands out above all: the unwavering support of her parents. From helping transport supplies to encouraging her during slow days and long events, they supported every step of the journey.
From selling a single three-dollar slime in the impossible heat to traveling across the country as a young entrepreneur, her story demonstrates the power of persistence and courage. What began as a simple summer interest grew into an inspiring example of what can happen when an ambitious mind believes in their abilities and refuses to give up
