Feb 26, 2020
#OGTV
When Alina Morse was seven years old, she went to the bank with her dad and the teller offered her a lollipop. While she really wanted to accept, her parents always told her that candy was terrible for her teeth.
So she asked her dad, “Why can’t we make a lollipop that’s actually good for your teeth?” In that moment the idea for Zollipops® was born!
After a little bit of research, Alina discovered something powerful. “I found out that tooth decay is actually the biggest health epidemic facing kids in America today according to the US Surgeon General,” she explained. “There was no product on the market cleaning kids teeth, helping them smile, and giving them lifelong strong tooth enamel.”
Together, Alina and her dad set off to make delicious lollipop treats that were actually good for teeth. In 2014, the first Zollipops treat hit the shelves: a delicious, vegan, natural, sugar-free candy. Alina became known as the “Lollipop Girl,” a true pioneer of KidzBiz.
This business is truly a family effort. Alina’s little sister, Lola Morse, actually came up with the name Zollipops. She tried to pronounce one of the teeth-friendly ingredients (Xylitol /zi-li-tol/) and it came out “Zollipops”. Alina was looking for a catchy name, and the rest is history!
Alina has been featured in Forbes, on multiple 30 under 30 lists, morning shows, talk shows, magazines, and was even brought to the White House by Michelle Obama so that Zollicandy could be part of the annual Easter Egg Roll.
Another charitable effort that sprung from her business is the Million Smiles Initiative, which commits 10% of the profits and One Million Zollipops to support oral health education in schools and qualified organizations. In fact, all sales of Zollipops®, Zolli® Drops, and Zaffi® Taffy at trusted retailers help support the Million Smile Initiative.
Watch and learn how this determined young woman and her supportive family have taken a kitchen table idea and grown it into a powerhouse that is improving kid’s health around the world!
