Finding rogue pieces of glitter around the house is some parents’ idea of a nightmare – but for Sophia Rizzo’s mum Megan it is a reminder of her little girl’s $350,000-a-year business.
The 13-year-old is the creative mind behind eco-glitter brand Glitter Girl – a business she started since she was nine years old after deciding girls her age needed mini pots of glitter on hand at all times.
The youngster charged her classmates $2 a pot at first before pushing her mum, Megan, 47, and dad Adam, 50, to take her business plan seriously.
‘We thought it was a bit silly at first but then she came to us with her unicorn notebook full of ideas, so we thought it was time to take it seriously,’ Megan told Daily Mail Australia.
Three years on and the dreams in the notebook are reality – Sophia even has her own Glitter HQ, a warehouse in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast where her stuff is sorted, packed and even sold.
Sophia Rizzo, 13, (pictured) is the creative mind behind eco-glitter brand Glitter Girl – a business she started aged nine after deciding girls her age needed mini pots of glitter on hand at all times
The youngster charged her classmates $2 a pot at first before pushing her mum, Megan, 47, and dad Adam, 50, to take her business plan seriously
Three years on and the dreams in the notebook are reality – Sophia even has her own Glitter HQ, a warehouse in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast where her stuff is sorted, packed and even sold
‘Sometimes I forget how cool it is and then my friends remind me and I realise it really is amazing,’ Sophia told FEMAIL.
And her mum agreed.
‘I love when kids come to the warehouse and you see their reaction to all of the glitter as they race around trying everything on, it helps us realise how wonderful it is here,’ she said.
Sophia calls the shots at work – coming up with the product ideas, colour schemes, and names for every new launch.
‘I tried to develop a new colour pallet once and Sophia told me it wasn’t going to work because it wasn’t bright or glittery enough,’ Megan laughed.
‘I put it on the website, and she was right, no one bought it. That’s when I really realised the creative aspect of the business was up to her.’
Sophia calls the shots at work – coming up with the product ideas, colour schemes, and names for every new launch
‘Sometimes I forget how cool it is and then my friends remind me and I realise it really is amazing,’ Sophia told FEMAIL
Sophia has even developed her own clothing line to compliment the range and to fill a crucial hole in the market
Sophia has even developed her own clothing line to compliment the range and to fill a crucial hole in the market.
‘I love sequin stuff and there is no stuff like that for kids my age so I made my own,’ she said.
‘I love the bubblegum jumpsuit, it is my favourite outfit so far,’ she revealed.
The 13-year-old still goes to school, has time for cheerleading practice and a social life while working in the business.
‘Sometimes I forget how cool it is and then my friends remind me and I realise it really is amazing,’ Sophia told FEMAIL
The 13-year-old still goes to school, has time for cheer leading practice and a social life while working in the business
Her mum, a photographer, and dad, who previously worked in real estate, have quit their jobs and now help her run the company full time.
‘She comes up with the ideas and we bring them to life behind the scenes,’ Megan said.
‘She can’t talk to suppliers or do ordering but when staff come in they soon see who is the boss. But it is a fine line – I am still the boss at home.’
Her 17-year-old brother is into the business side of things rather than the glitter aspect of the business, until it suits him.
‘He always has the best presents to take to girls birthdays,’ his mum said.
Her mum, a photographer, and dad, who previously worked in real estate, have quit their jobs and now help her run to company full time
There are no official launch dates for new stock – instead new products are added as Sophia thinks of them
There are no official launch dates for new stock – instead new products are added as Sophia thinks of them.
‘If we find something we like or have an idea for something we just make it and get it up on the website,’ Sophia said.
The family don’t go to the warehouse on the weekends but do monitor their online presence and have brand discussions at home.
‘Lifestyle is still very important to us, we live on the Gold Coast so we do take time out just to chill,’ Megan said.
The products are stocked in 90 stores across Australia and can also be purchased online.