Two impressive Millcreek teens are proving that entrepreneurship doesn't have to wait until high school graduation. One spent years battling the debilitating effects of an autoimmune disease, while another was looking for a better way to avoid injury on the softball field. Both took matters into their own hands, and the result has been innovative solutions that are already benefiting people far beyond their own communities.
Jaedin Mugleston grew up playing softball with her dad. What started as a way to spend time together quickly became a lifelong love of the game. As she puts it, "Somewhere behind the athlete, behind the hours of practice and the coaches who pushed you, is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back."
But the love of the game came with scrapes and bruises.
As Jaedin became faster and more competitive, she learned to slide aggressively into bases, often leaving tournaments with cuts and abrasions caused by rocks and debris. Softball players affectionately—or perhaps disdainfully—dubbed these injuries "raspberries," a term that would eventually become part of Jaedin's brand.
By high school, the injuries had become more than a nuisance.
"I wouldn't leave one tournament without jacking up my leg," Jaedin said. Between the pain, the inconvenience and attending dances with giant Band-Aids covering her legs, she finally decided, "There has to be a better way to do this."
Cue Raspberry Athletics.
Jaedin designed the Raspberry Impact Sock, an athletic sock with integrated impact padding sewn directly into the fabric to help protect athletes from those pesky raspberries while still allowing them to slide, dive and compete comfortably.
But Jaedin's socks are about more than preventing injuries. According to her, they represent something bigger: the idea that female athletes deserve equipment designed specifically for them.
She points to what she calls the "pink and shrink it" model, where products are often designed for men before being slightly modified and marketed to women. Raspberry Athletics aims to flip that idea on its head by creating products built with female athletes in mind from the very beginning.
But her vision doesn't stop with socks. Jaedin plans to continue expanding Raspberry Athletics with additional products for women's sports, including protective arm sleeves and other innovative gear. She also hopes to encourage other young entrepreneurs along the way.
One of the best pieces of advice Jaedin has received came from a teacher and mentor, Erin Paulsen.
"Action kills anxiety."
For Henry Kaufman, entrepreneurship started in a very different place.
Diagnosed with Crohn's disease at just seven years old, Henry spent much of his childhood battling inflammation, hospital visits and treatments that offered little relief. By age 12, he and his family knew something had to change.
Henry and his mom were desperate for a solution that would allow him to live a healthier, more energetic life.
Together, they began experimenting with anti-inflammatory ingredients and homemade recipes. Henry's mom would often prepare one meal for the family and a separate "clean" meal for Henry. Occasionally, Henry's food turned out to be the better of the two, prompting him to jokingly tell his siblings, "It's nasty. Leave it for me."
NastySnax was born.
Eventually, Henry started to notice a dramatic change. His symptoms eased, and he was once again able to do the things he loved. More importantly, he realized that other kids facing dietary restrictions deserved better options than what they could find on grocery store shelves.
"I want to be the brand that some kid in my position can walk into a store and say, 'Wait, no. I want NastySnax. That's going to make me feel good, and that's going to taste good.'"
Today, Henry's flagship product, Honey Almond Chews, is made from just five simple ingredients. He hopes to expand his product line, land on grocery store shelves and eventually create a community for people navigating autoimmune diseases and dietary restrictions.
So far, Henry has devoted countless hours to NastySnax and has no plans to slow down anytime soon. His latest endeavor is investing in an automatic wrapping machine that would help speed up production and, in Henry's words, "10x" the business.
Perhaps there's something about running a business at a young age that accelerates wisdom, because both teens are remarkably thoughtful about success, failure and the role adults play in helping young people chase their dreams.
Henry says good parenting starts with support.
"If your kid is passionate, you should be passionate," he said.
Jaedin offers a complementary perspective. She believes parents have to be willing to let their children struggle.
"You have to let them fail," she said. "Failure is how we learn."
Many adults seem to cling to the notion that the younger generation is a lost cause, but having spent time around Henry and Jaedin, one thing has become very clear: those adults could not be more wrong.
The future of entrepreneurship is bright, and both teens are surely going places.