This young entrepreneur has done more in the first 17 years of her life than many of us will do in a lifetime. Her new Swey to Play brand, a line of no-sugar-added, nutrient-packed sports drinks aimed at Gen Z, released its first three products online in April. She’s driven by helping today’s youth refuel in a healthy, balanced way. “I want to provide better options for young athletes and educate them on achieving balanced lifestyles,” says the Potomac Falls High School student and Cascades resident, who learned the ins and outs of building a company via the Loudoun Chamber Young Entrepreneurs Academy (she’s now in the Forum) and has her college hopes set on Stanford University. (And after that? An MBA at, you know, Wharton or Oxford.) The biz grew out of her own experience: She developed prediabetes at age 8 and, with the support of her parents and four older siblings, embarked on a plan to change how she treated her body—exercising regularly via tennis and running and maintaining a pescatarian diet for almost 10 years (plus her “cheat” sweet, dark chocolate). Here, her moves.
Describe that “just worked out” feeling.
I work out for that feeling! I’m energized all day when I am active in the morning—more alert, excited, and giving everything my all.
Tell us about your initial taste tests.
I started experimenting in the kitchen. I looked up vitamins Gen Zers needed (A, E, and B) and bought ingredients on Amazon or at the store. I’d blend organic lemon, honey, and arrowroot powders, as well as dried Fuji apples. My first flavor was a lemonade powder—I was in eighth grade and tried it on my classmates. We now work with Flavorman in Kentucky, which launched our first three flavors.
Do you have a favorite?
The Major Kiwi: It has the fewest calories [25] and is made with coconut water for electrolytes. It has a unique strawberry-kiwi taste. [The other drinks, also made with coconut water, are Tropicalada and Citrus Sizzle.]
A lot of us are not Gen Z—far from it. But can we try Swey?
The answer is yes: There’s nothing in there that older generations can’t have. It’s made for Gen Z, but Swey is about a mentality: Make your vision move. It’s for change-makers.
You’re certainly a change-maker. Who are your role models?
That’s a no-brainer: my parents. They instilled the power and importance of a strong mindset and confidence in my siblings and me at a very young age.
Do you have future business plans?
Nutrition is my driving force, and the power of the mind. But I want to branch out and evolve. I’m interested in doing something in tech.
Any advice for young up-and-comers?
I don’t want to use the Nike slogan, but just do it. Figure out what your impact should be. The only boundaries you have are the ones you set upon yourself. Have that vision and turn it into a reality.
Feature image by Christin Boggs Peyper
This story originally ran in our June issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to our monthly magazine.
