Can You Have It All? This #1 Candy Entrepreneur Explains How | Alina Starr Morse

A successful business and meaningful relationships. A stacked work schedule and time for self-care. Reaching all your goals and time with family. Can you have it all? Well, today, we're diving into the mind of a brilliant entrepreneur who shows us how.

Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by Alina Starr Morse, founder of Zolli Candy. Alina didn’t set out to become an entrepreneur - she was just seven years old when she asked a simple question that turned into a global business. Today, she leads a company sold in major retailers while navigating college, public pressure, and the realities of growing up running a company and being in the spotlight.

In this powerful and refreshingly honest conversation, we’re not just talking about entrepreneurship — we’re talking about courage, self-worth, rejection, and what it really takes to grow up while building something meaningful.

Alina opens up about rejection, bullying, imposter syndrome, and the sacrifices that come with chasing a dream — and she shares the mindset shifts that helped her stay grounded and keep going.

If you’ve ever doubted yourself, felt overwhelmed, or wondered whether you’re capable of more, this conversation will meet you exactly where you are.

After this episode, you’ll know:

– How to stop letting “no” define you.

– How to calm anxiety and perform under pressure when it matters most.

– The mindset shift that helps you move forward even when you feel afraid.

– How to balance ambition with real life.

– Real tips for building confidence.

– BTS of building Zolli Candy as a child, teen, and now, young adult.

Whether you’re raising a teen, stepping into something new, navigating self-doubt, or trying to build a life that feels meaningful, this episode offers practical tools that you can use right away.

If you put what Alina shares into practice, you’ll stop waiting for permission, stop letting fear make your decisions, and start trusting that you are capable of more than you think.

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Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with young sister entrepreneurs, Sydney & Toni Loew. In this episode, Sydney and Toni share how anyone can start their own business, advice for taking bold risks, and how to release the fear of judgement: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠listen + watch now!⁠

(00:00) Welcome, Alina

(01:47) What Started Zolli Candy?

(04:02) Inside The Factory: Formulating A NEW Type of Candy

(07:57) The Role of Alina's Parents

(10:51) What Can I Do To Foster An Entrepreneurial Child? (advice from Alina's dad!)

(12:23) Did Alina Miss Out On Her Childhood?

(17:28) Building A Business While In Middle & High School

(22:37) Alina's Hardest Lesson

(25:24) Who Else Needs To Hear Alina's Story?

(25:47) Tips For Managing Nervousness

(30:49) Hacks For Staying Calm Under Immense Pressure

(33:32) On AI: Alina's Thoughts, Feelings, and How She Uses AI

(39:22) This Is How You Can Bet On Yourself

(41:47) Maintaining Self-Value Despite External Challenges

(45:10) Has Alina Experienced Imposter Syndrome?

(49:16) We Have A Gift For YOU!

(49:42) Entrepreneurial Thinking Applied To Daily Life

(53:08) Interested In Business? Start HERE

(55:21) Alina's Day-in-the-life

(59:07) Rapid Fire!

(1:05:49) Find Alina Here

(1:07:05) The Tale of Two Sister Entrepreneurs