PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Who doesn’t love ice cream on a hot day? Honestly, ice cream is good any time.
The Sweet Boutique on High Street in Portsmouth has become a favorite stop for residents, and the Chamber of Commerce voted it the top new business to watch.
“I always thought the Sweet Boutique was going to do well. It exceeded my expectations,” said 16-year-old Mischa Smith, one of five owners of this colorful little shop.
It didn’t happen overnight. Mischa started churning up the sweet idea in fifth grade while participating in the Envision, Lead, Grow program.
“I believe the entrepreneurial mindset starts early, and oftentimes women and girls are told what they can’t do,” said Dr. Angela Reddix, the founder of the nonprofit that enrolls middle school students and teaches them skills to be successful in the business world.
“Our goal with this program is to build the entrepreneurial mindset. That doesn’t mean that they’re all going to go out and launch a business, but it does mean that they’ll understand what it means to be an exceptional leader in any organization,” Dr. Reddix added.
The Sweet Boutique is the culmination of this yearlong training.
“I’ve definitely learned how to scale up a business, how to pitch a business, and how to not be nervous when talking to people,” Mischa said.
Not even out of high school, Mischa has three businesses, and she’s just getting started.
“It allows me to share what I dream of sharing with the world and actually do it,” she said.
The nonprofit works with students all over the country, and its founder wants it to be a resource for young women for life.
“We work with them once a month to continue to build their area of expertise as not only entrepreneurs but also as young women who begin to understand that they’re the owners of their destinies,” Dr. Reddix explained.
The future looks deliciously bright for Mischa.
“To make a dream blossom, anything’s possible. I mean, wow, it can really blossom into anything you want it to be,” she said.
The brilliant women with Envision, Lead, Grow are making a difference in our community and the world, and they are positively impacting Hampton Roads.
