INSPIRE: Designing successful life no sweat for teen

When Olivia Reynolds talks about her business, she sounds like she’s been working her whole life.

That’s surprisingly accurate, because Reynolds is 15 years old, and has run a successful and growing business for five years — that’s a third of her life.

“I think I will continue it for most of my life,” says Olivia, whose family lives in Penetanguishene.

Livylulu Designs is Reynolds’ business where she has been creating custom t-shirts, hoodies, cups, mugs and more for five years.

“I was always crafting and doing things,” she says, “My mom thought why would she make stuff and not make a commission out of it.”

With the help of her “momager” as she affectionately calls her mother, this young entrepreneur took her passion for crafting and created a business.

Olivia has some best-selling designs like Georgian Bay Locals and she regularly assists local organizations raise awareness and funds for organ donation and autism.

“Livy does a lot of work where she gives back,” says Melissa Reynolds, Olivia’s mother, an elementary school teacher at Sacred Heart.

Olivia sells t-shirts at cost to organizations for fundraising and to raise awareness about a cause.

Most of the designs are her own, and she works with clients to make custom pieces. Everything is printed on vinyl with a cutting machine, and heat-pressed for long-lasting designs.

While Olivia does some charitable work, the business has been very successful.

“I’m saving for university,” explains Olivia.

Olivia says she found the inspiration for maintaining her own business from her older sister’s busking work. Emma Reynolds is a singer. You may recognize her from her performance at the Butter Tart Festival last month, or on local cruises.

Em Rey, as she’s known locally, has been busking since she was 12 years old, just turned 19, and is currently a music student at Sheridan College.

The other two children in the family are also successful business people. Spencer’s Lawn Care is so busy that even with the 17-year-old, Spencer, and his 13-year-old younger brother, Cooper, cutting lawns, they are too busy to take on more clients.

The Reynolds family children are like the entrepreneurial version of the Partridge Family. Not only are they all entrepreneurs, they’re all competitive dancers, in a lot of activities, and they’re all very creative. That’s due to a supporting parent-team.

“My husband and I have a big belief that you have to figure out how to make money when you don’t have a job,” explains Melissa, noting that Todd Reynolds is also a teacher at Huron Park Public School.

“We have four kids, and if they have different jobs, it would make it really hard to be together, They have their businesses so they don’t miss out on things because they have to work outside of the home.”

The Reynolds family live their lives with such joy that they share their successes on social media and you can follow along with the Reynolds Family on Instagram @thereynoldsfamily6 to keep up with their busy schedules.

Adds Melissa: “We share our life every day all day.”

For Olivia, who works three to four hours a day, having a business is important because she knows she will always have income.

As for the secret to her success: “It’s all professional,” says the teen.

Her “momager” Melissa feels it’s easy to have success in a small town.

“People get to know you, and get to trust you, and know you’re authentic,” says Melissa. “People want to support a small town, and love to support little kids.”

Her advice for other young people looking to start their own businesses is to be consistent, driven and responsible.

She adds: “Kids don’t get enough credit.”